The portal window has come to a close for everyone except for Indiana and Miami. Texas has reeled in a top-tier portal class thus far, but are there more fireworks to come? Or are the Longhorns calling it a day? It’s hard to know, partly because there’s the possibility of more movement in the next few days that changes things. From where I’m sitting, there is still work to do.
Offensive Line
This is where there is clear work still to be done. The additions of Melvin Siani and Dylan Sikorski bring two possible starters, but as you look beyond the starting five, the questions begin. Currently, it seems the starting offensive line for Texas is Trevor Goosby-Dylan Sikorski-Connor Robertson-Brandon Baker-Melvin Siani. That is not a bad group by any means, but it needs assistance.
So who could the Longhorns possibly add? The name that began to surface after the National Championship was Indiana guard and Austin-native Bray Lynch. Despite the rumors, he has yet to even enter the transfer portal, leaving the Longhorns with little to no options on the interior. The lone name left in the portal that I believe could start immediately on the interior for the Longhorns is Laurance Seymore from Western Kentucky.
Western Kentucky OL Laurence Seymore Has Announced He Will Enter The Transfer Portal
Seymore Appeared In 840 Snaps Allowing Only 1 Sack For The Hilltoppers This Season#GoCFB#CollegeFootball#TransferPortal#WKU#GoTops@xklvsive00pic.twitter.com/wuIOQWAhnz
— CFB Nation 🏈 (@TheCFBNation) January 15, 2026
The Longhorns have done a nice job improving what was the major hurdle of the 2025 season. The starting five for the Longhorns in 2026 will be better than 2025’s group, especially in pass protection. Behind them, there are questions. Jaydon Chatman is likely to be a swing OT option, the Coleman twins will be options on the interior but the biggest piece is Andre Cojoe. Cojoe’s health and ability to be ready as the 6th OL is a must of this unit(as currently constructed).
If the Longhorns are unable to add another offensive linemen in the portal, the depth will be a major issue. I expect them to add at least one more piece, with the possibility of two if we see Lynch hit the portal in the next two days. Long story short, there is work to be done here. The unit has been improved already in my eyes, but I’m unsure if it’s been built into a championship-level unit. It could fall into place over the next few days, but time is running low.
Linebacker?
This is a position the Longhorns could add to, but likely don’t have to add to. The Longhorns have already added three LBs in the portal, Rasheem Biles, Justin Cryer and Markus Boswell. Biles will be a Day 1 starter, while Cryer and Boswell likely factor into the depth picture. There is an argument to be made that is not enough, but I tend to fall on the other side of that argument.
Rasheem Biles is the first player with 15 tackles, four TFL and a touchdown in any game in 18 years 😤 pic.twitter.com/2iTJs08vfb
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 27, 2025
Not only are there no difference making LBs left in the portal, I believe the unit Texas has is plenty good enough as it stands today. Rasheem Biles and Ty’Anthony Smith are likely to be the consistent starters, with Brad Spence playing a role as well. That leaves Cryer, Bowell and freshmen Tyler Atkinson and Rocky Cummings as the depth pieces heading into the season.
I believe the starting duo of Biles and Smith could be as good as any in the country. Brad Spence, Boswell and Cryer bring tons of athleticism to the table. The other piece here is Tyler Atkinson, who I believe will be an immediate contributor and could be a possible starter later in the season. On top of that, Will Muschamp is widely considered one of the best developers of LBs in college football.
Safety?
This is the only other position Texas could add to. Currently, it’s expected Derek Williams Jr. and Jelani McDonald will be the starters at the safety positions. Xavier Filsaime, Jonah Williams, Jordon-Johnson Rubell and Zelus Hicks fill out the depth. To me, there does not need to be additions to that unit for it to be one of the best in the country.
Jelani McDonald’s Junior season was one to remember:
⚫️ 73 Tackles (Team leader)
⚫️ 4 TFL
⚫️ 3 INT
⚫️ 3 PD#HookEm 🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/YIrV1LHokg— One Stop Texas (@OneStopHorns) December 20, 2025
There could be additions to the safety unit, but I’d be surprised if this was where the focus is for Steve Sarkisian currently. If the right name jumps in the portal, you could see Texas get involved, but the safety position is not only I worry about heading into 2026. If they can stay healthy, it will be a strong unit under Blake Gideon.
Conclusions
I don’t believe the Longhorns are done in the transfer portal. That being said, I also don’t expect them to have a “splash,” at least without a certain name departing from Bloomington, Indiana. Outside of that, the Longhorns could add high-ceiling, depth pieces to give the OL, LB and secondary more safety, but I don’t expect many starters to be added at this point.
If the Longhorns can stay healthy, I don’t expect any of those positions to be a major issue but Texas fans understand how big that “if” is.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: OL depth remains a question as portal window closes
