OTF Premium Final Depth Chart Snapshot: Predicting the Texas depth chart for the 2026 season opener

[Jeff Howe]

In recent years, Steve Sarkisian hasn’t released the first depth chart of the season until Texas’ opening game.

Assuming that’s the case again in 2026, and the first depth chart isn’t made public until Saturday, when the Longhorns kick off Sarkisian’s sixth season against Texas State (2:30 p.m., ESPN), On Texas Football has you covered.

We’re making a final depth chart projection before the season starts, which comes with a few key things to know:

— Texas reportedly utilized two-back personnel in both camp scrimmages. That’s why we’re keeping Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown as co-starters at running back, although Smothers (based on what sources have told OTF throughout camp) is the current favorite to be the first back on the field.

— After the top three wideouts on the roster (Cam Coleman, Emmett Mosley V and Ryan Wingo), Sterling Berkhalter, Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Daylan McCutcheon appear to be locked in as the top three backups.

— Andre Cojoe, who’s in line to start against Texas State at left tackle if Trevor Goosby (knee) can’t go, is the team’s No. 3 tackle. Jaydon Chatman has worked at multiple positions in camp (and throughout his career). Along with Chatman, Jackson Christian, Cole Hutson and Dylan Sikorski are the top reserves on the interior.

— The Longhorns have listed three interior defensive line positions on the depth chart under Sarkisian. Expect to see the top two at each position featured in the rotation, with Myron Charles making a push throughout camp to earn snaps.

— We’ve got Colton Vasek on the depth chart at EDGE and SAM linebacker, where he’ll play situationally. We’re also putting Jordon Johnson-Rubell with the WLB group and the safeties.

— After the top-four safeties, Toray Davis is currently projected to be the fifth safety in line for snaps.

 

OFFENSE

 

QUARTERBACK

1. (16) Arch Manning (6-4, 222, Sr.-2L)

2. (9) Karle “KJ” Lacey Jr. (6-0, 188, Soph.-SQ)

3. (6) Dia Bell (6-3, 206, Fr.-HS)

4. (19) MJ Morris (6-1, 201, 5YSr.-TR)

 

RUNNING BACK

1. (2) Hollywood Smothers (5-11, 196, Sr.-TR) — OR — (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, 5YSr.-TR)

2. (5) Derrek Cooper (6-1, 212, Fr.-HS)

3. (21) Ryan Niblett (5-10, 189, Sr.-1L)

4. (11) Michael Terry III (6-3, 229, Soph.-SQ)

5. (31) James Simon (5-11, 208, Soph.-SQ)

6. (28) Jett Walker (6-1, 224, Fr.-HS)

 

WIDE RECEIVER (X)

1. (8) Cam Coleman (6-3, 204, Jr.-TR)

2. (7) Kaliq Lockett (6-2, 181, Soph.-SQ)

 

WIDE RECEIVER (Z)

1. (1) Ryan Wingo (6-2, 214, Jr.-2L)

2. (18) Sterling Berkhalter (6-3, 196, 5YSr.-TR)

3. (13) Kohen Brown (6-0, 202, Fr.-HS)

4. (14) Chris Stewart (6-0, 184, Fr.-HS)

 

WIDE RECEIVER (H)

1. (3) Emmett Mosley V (6-2, 199, Jr.-1L)

2. (4) Jermaine Bishop Jr. (6-0, 166, Fr.-HS) — OR — (17) Daylan McCutcheon (5-11, 183, Soph.-1L)

 

TIGHT END (Y)

1. (15) Michael Masunas (6-5, 259, 5YSr.-TR)

2. (83) Spencer Shannon (6-7, 260, Sr.-2L)

3. (88) Charlie Jilek (6-5, 238, Fr.-HS)

 

TIGHT END (H)

1. (81) Nick Townsend (6-3, 250, Soph.-1L)

2. (85) Emaree Winston (6-1, 245, Soph.-1L)

3. (87) Will Randle (6-4, 249, Sr.-SQ)

 

LEFT TACKLE

1. (74) Trevor Goosby (6-7, 325, Sr.-2L)

2. (77) Andre Cojoe (6-6, 339, Sr.-1L)

3. (78) Jordan Coleman (6-5, 356, Soph.-SQ)

4. (51) John Turntine III (6-4, 295, Fr.-HS)

 

LEFT GUARD

1. (50) Laurence Seymore III (6-2, 316, 5YSr.-TR)

2. (56) Dylan Sikorski (6-4, 335, Jr.-TR)

3. (54) Cole Hutson (6-5, 308, 5YSr.-4L) — OR — (76) Jackson Christian (6-5, 308, Soph.-SQ.)

 

CENTER

1. (62) Connor Robertson (6-4, 316, 5YSr.-3L)

2. (76) Jackson Christian (6-5, 308, Soph.-SQ)

3. (54) Cole Hutson (6-5, 308, 5YSr.-4L) — OR — (58) Devin Coleman (6-5, 340, Soph.-SQ)

 

RIGHT GUARD

1. (73) Brandon Baker (6-4, 315, Jr.-2L)

2. (75) Jaydon Chatman (6-4, 330, Sr.-2L)

3. (58) Devin Coleman (6-5, 340, Soph.-SQ)

4. (68) Paris Patterson (6-5, 354, Sr.-TR)

5. (72) Nicolas Robertson (6-3, 349, Fr.-HS)

 

RIGHT TACKLE

1. (71) Melvin Siani (6-6, 317, Sr.-TR)

2. (79) Jonte Newman (6-4, 310, Soph.-TR)

3. (70) Kaden Scherer (6-6, 291, Fr.-HS)

 

DEFENSE

NOSE TACKLE

1. (95) Ian Geffrard (6-5, 375, Sr.-TR)

2. (88) Maraad Watson (6-3, 333, Jr.-1L)

3. (90) Josiah Sharma (6-4, 341, Soph.-SQ)

4. (96) Zion Williams (6-4, 370, Soph.-TR)

 

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. (93) Hero Kanu (6-5, 309, Sr.-1L)

2. (15) Justus Terry (6-5, 289, Soph.-1L)

3. (52) James Johnson (6-3, 279, Fr.-HS)

4. (55) Elijah Ali (6-4, 306, Fr.-HS)

 

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. (97) Alex January (6-5, 308, Jr.-2L)

2. (33) Myron Charles (6-4, 312, Soph.-SQ)

 

JACK

1. (1) Colin Simmons (6-3, 246, Jr.-2L)

2. (99) Richard Wesley (6-4, 258, Fr.-HS)

3. (92) Colton Vasek (6-5, 252, Sr.-2L)

4. (46) Smith Orogbo (6-4, 238, Soph.-SQ) 

5. (80) Brinley Tita (6-2, 252, Fr.-HS)

 

END

1. (40) Lance Jackson (6-5, 274, Soph.-1L)

2. (19) Zina Umeozulu (6-5, 272, Jr.-1L)

3. (94) Jamarion Carlton (6-5, 280, Fr.-HS)

 

WLB

1. (3) Rasheem Biles (6-1, 222, Sr.-TR)

2. (45) Darius Snow (6-1, 219, 5YSr.-TR)

3. (30) Rocky Cummings (6-4, 227, Fr.-HS)

4. (23) Jordon Johnson-Rubell (5-10, 212, Jr.-2L)

 

SLB

1. (14) Brad Spence (6-2, 249, Sr.-1L)

2. (18) Kosi Okpala (6-3, 235, Fr.-HS)

3. (92) Colton Vasek (6-5, 252, Sr.-2L)

 

MLB

1. (28) Justin Cryer (6-1, 241, Sr.-TR)

2. (14) Brad Spence (6-2, 249, Sr.-1L)

3. (16) Tyler Atkinson (6-1, 219, Fr.-HS)

4. (44) Markus Boswell (6-1, 228, Soph.-TR)

 

NICKEL

1. (29) Graceson Littleton (6-0, 182, Soph.-1L)

2. (17) Xavier Filsaime (6-1, 193, Jr.-2L)

3. (27) Wardell Mack (6-0, 183, Jr..-1L)

 

CORNERBACK

1. (8) Kade Phillips (6-0, 191, Soph.-1L)

2. (11) Samari Matthews (6-1, 197, Fr.-HS)

3. (0) John Meredith III (6-2, 185, Fr.-HS)

4. (21) Hayward Howard Jr. (6-2, 182, Fr.-HS) 

 

CORNERBACK

1. (5) Bo Mascoe (5-11, 199, Sr.-TR)

2. (24) Warren Roberson (6-0, 189, Sr.-2L)

3. (36) Nick Hudson (5-10, 179, 5YSr.-TR)

 

FREE SAFETY

1. (4) Jelani McDonald (6-2, 201, Sr.-3L)

2. (9) Jonah Williams (6-3, 210, Soph.-1L)

3. (25) Toray Davis (6-1, 197, Fr.-HS)

4. (13) Zelus Hicks (6-2, 183, Soph.-SQ)

 

STRONG SAFETY

1. (2) Derek Williams Jr. (6-2, 199, Sr.-2L)

2. (6) Kobe Black (6-2, 202, Jr.-2L)

3. (23) Jordon Johnson-Rubell (5-10, 212, Jr.-2L)

4. (37) Jonathan Cunningham (6-2, 198, Soph.-SQ)

5. (31) Yaheim Riley (5-11, 187, Fr.-HS)

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

PUNTER

1. (43) Mac Chiumento (6-4, 228, 5YSr.-TR)

2. (45) Mikey Bukauskas (6-2, 210, Fr.-HS)

 

KICKER

1. (44) Gianni Spetic (6-3, 221, Sr.-TR)

2. (46) Spencer Barnett (6-0, 215, Jr.-1L)

3. (49) Jake Collett (6-0, 182, Fr.-HS)

 

PUNT RETURN

1. (21) Ryan Niblett (5-10, 189, Sr.-1L)

2. (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, 5YSr.-TR)

3. (17) Daylan McCutcheon (5-11, 183, Soph.-1L)

 

KICKOFF RETURN

1. (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, 5YSr.-TR) — AND — (4) Jermaine Bishop Jr. (6-0, 166, Fr.-HS)

2. (5) Derrek Cooper (6-1, 212, Fr.-HS) — AND — (21) Ryan Niblett (5-10, 189, Sr.-1L)

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[Joe Zura]

Thanks for the update Jeff 🤘

[General Grant]

I hope Lockett stays patient.  I believe he has a future 

[Jeff Howe]

One other thing we changed is that the class/eligibility designations of players are in line with the Texas roster and reflect 5-for-5 eligibility. What that means is that there's no longer a designation for redshirts.

It's as follows:

Fr.-HS — True Freshman

Soph.

Jr.

Sr.

5YSr. — Fifth-year senior, in their last season of eligibility

Other designations are:

#L — Number of letters the player has earned

SQ — Player has yet to earn a letter

TR — Player is a transfer into the program for the 2026 season

 

[TheRoJoShow]

Trenches look great 

 

LB depth the only real concern imo

[HookEmLonghorns]

A lot of jersey numbers to learn 

[Jeff Howe]

13 minutes ago, HookEmLonghorns said:

A lot of jersey numbers to learn 

That's a big reason why we included them in this article.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

We really need to see who’s our next “pass rushing foo” because i am sure colin is gone after this season and nobody else seems to have his ability to get to the quarterback 

[Thermostat2005]

It probably doesn't matter, but why do you have Jonah as the backup to McDonald and Black as the backup to Williams, Jr? I would have thought it would be the other way around.

Edited 5 hours ago by Thermostat2005

[Jeff Howe]

11 minutes ago, Thermostat2005 said:

It probably doesn't matter, but why do you have Jonah as the backup to McDonald and Black as the backup to Williams, Jr? I would have thought it would be the other way around.

That’s where he’s been working of late. In the grand scheme though, it doesn’t matter too much.

[Red Five]

Is there a competition at any position that doesn't involve an injury? i.e. Seymore/Sikorski. Seems like the roles are all pretty well defined. 

I almost don't even count DT because a ton of guys are all going to play. One game Geffrard might get the most snaps and then the next he gets 12.

[Califashorn75]

With the lengthy season, we need to play lots of dudes every game. 

[MarkInAustin]

You included Spence on the chart more than once which I understand completely.  But doesn't the same logic place Cojoe second at both offensive tackle slots?  Surely he would play ahead of Newman, correct?

[Red Five]

35 minutes ago, MarkInAustin said:

You included Spence on the chart more than once which I understand completely.  But doesn't the same logic place Cojoe second at both offensive tackle slots?  Surely he would play ahead of Newman, correct?

I was thinking about that. Cojoe and Coleman both would probably go in ahead of Newman I'd imagine.

[Jeff Howe]

42 minutes ago, MarkInAustin said:

You included Spence on the chart more than once which I understand completely.  But doesn't the same logic place Cojoe second at both offensive tackle slots?  Surely he would play ahead of Newman, correct?

Yes, that's why I wrote at the top that Cojoe is the No. 3 tackle.

Spence would go into the game before Atkinson.

[jhookem91]

Is Mack still at nickel and Cunningham still at SS?  I thought I read somewhere that Mack had moved to CB and Cunningham had moved to nickel, but one or both of those could be off.

[Jeff Howe]

6 minutes ago, jhookem91 said:

Is Mack still at nickel and Cunningham still at SS?  I thought I read somewhere that Mack had moved to CB and Cunningham had moved to nickel, but one or both of those could be off.

They've worked in those spots, for sure. I don't know about full-on position changes though.

[NTX_Horn]

I really hope Atkinson makes a jump during the season.  Going to need it.  Same with Jonah.  DL will carry the team this year.  I’d really like to see someone behind Colin step up as well.  

[Alex Butler]

3 hours ago, General Grant said:

I hope Lockett stays patient.  I believe he has a future 

Agree! Would love to see him

get some run this year!!

[jhookem91]

1 hour ago, Jeff Howe said:

They've worked in those spots, for sure. I don't know about full-on position changes though.

Thanks and great article, as always.

[Mark Futrell]

Homework to do: Memorizing Jersey Numbers for easy identification of Player Names. Review and Quiz on Monday. Tuesday is association with numbers to positions. Quiz on Wednesday. Thursday is alignment with Jersey Numbers, Players Name with Grouping Personnel. Friday quiz with a drinking game. Let’s Go, it’s Game Week! Hook’em!!!

[BurntOrangeDNA]

Good stuff Jeff. Interesting aspect is that of the 29 positions you referenced you have 12 starters that were transfers. I can’t argue too much with your picks but if accurate that seems like a lot of new blood in the starting line up. I guess that’s a transfer portal feature that will take some getting used to. It could be an adjustment for Texas since Sark places so much emphasis on team culture.  I know Sark started his culture building early this year but with that many guys new to the program, is there any concern about team cohesion over an epically daunting schedule?  I guess we’re about to find out how good the coaching staff’s player evals are - both from a football and character / team-fit perspective. 

[Jeff Howe]

18 minutes ago, BurntOrangeDNA said:

Good stuff Jeff. Interesting aspect is that of the 29 positions you referenced you have 12 starters that were transfers. I can’t argue too much with your picks but if accurate that seems like a lot of new blood in the starting line up. I guess that’s a transfer portal feature that will take some getting used to. It could be an adjustment for Texas since Sark places so much emphasis on team culture.  I know Sark started his culture building early this year but with that many guys new to the program, is there any concern about team cohesion over an epically daunting schedule?  I guess we’re about to find out how good the coaching staff’s player evals are - both from a football and character / team-fit perspective. 

There’s absolutely concern.

That’s becoming more of the norm in college football, but Texas still technically has one of the youngest rosters in the country.

This year’s team just has a higher percentage of portal additions in featured spots compared to previous seasons. That’s partly a byproduct of Sark correcting the mistakes that were made last year by not using the portal enough.