Since the transfer portal and recruiting window came to a close, we’ve been breaking down all the new Longhorns. 40 new faces have already made their way onto campus, with three more set to join them, as long as Laurence Seymore is cleared.
What about the group as a whole? How did Steve Sarkisian and his staff do upgrading the roster for an “All-In” season? I’d argue very well.
Transfer Portal
It’s hard to find much to complain about in this portal class. If I had to give it a grade today, it would be a B+, with the chance to rise to an A-. An A- would come with Laurence Seymore being cleared and joining the heading into summer. The only thing keeping it from an A/A+ is not signing another depth linebacker or safety in this class.
Offensively, they did a really masterful job retooling the skill players and upgrading the trenches. Cam Coleman is the shining jewel and is living up to that in spring camp thus far. Hollywood Smother and Raleek Brown make up the rebuilt RB room, seemingly giving Texas a solid upgrade in the run game. Melvin Siani likely represents the most important addition, slotting in as the starting RT and giving Texas four “returning” starters in 2026.
On defense, it was about rebuilding the LB room and filling depth elsewhere. Rasheem Biles figures to be the MLB and leader in that room. On the DL, it’s about size with Ian Geffrard and Zion Williams joining as true NTs. Finally on the backend, the addition of Bo Mascoe could wind up being the biggest of the bunch. He’s already showing positional versatility and his elite ball skills in spring camp.
Finally, the rebuilt special teams brings in three former starters. Gianni Spetic(K), Mac Chuimento(P) and Trey Dubuc(LS) will all step into starting positions right away and there’s little reason to believe the third-unit will take a step back in 2026.
Recruiting Class
Despite this being the lowest ranked class in the Steve Sarkisian era, I believe it checks all the boxes. On offense, the class is filled with game-changing playmakers, led by Dia Bell, Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Derrek Cooper. On defense, it’s about Tyler Atkinson, Richard Wesley and Jamarion Carlton, the true “freaks” of the class.
Let’s start on offense, where I believe Sarkisian found two instant impact players while finding answers for the future. Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Derrek Cooper will see the field immediately. Guys like Dia Bell, John Turntine, Nicolas Robertson and more represent a bright future for Sarkisian’s offenses.
Moving to the defense, I believe this is where the answer to why Texas didn’t sign another LB in the portal class lies. Tyler Atkinson will be on the field in Week 1 and will not look back. He’s the most “sure thing” in this class, in my opinion. Then, Richard Wesley, Jamarion Carlton, James Johnson and more represent players that you could see flash throughout 2026 and become household names in 2027.
The thing I love about this class is the depth. Offensively, Jett Walker, Charlie Jilek and Kohen Brown could all be true difference-makers in time. Defensively, Rocky Cummings, Toray Davis and Kosi Okpala are all players to buy stock-in moving forward. It’s truly a complete class that hopefully will be the most successful of Sarkisian’s tenure.
Overall
This season has been dubbed as “All-In”. The staff acted like it when it came to the additions made. The transfer portal is about as elite as you could hope, adding multiple NFL 1st round talents(Coleman, Siani, Biles) and upgrading at nearly every position. The recruiting class gives you two immediate starting-level players(Bishop, Atkinson) and elite depth pieces for 2027 and beyond.
This is the most talented roster of the Steve Sarkisian era. That is a remarkable luxury but it brings remarkable pressure. I always stop short of “Championship or bust” but most people won’t when discussing this team. The additions made, both in the portal and recruiting class, give little reason to act any differently.
Simply put, it’s put up or shut up time for Steve Sarkisian and company.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Fresh Faces on the Forty: Texas has a championship roster
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
