OTF Premium How will the Texas offense adjust to life without Trevor Goosby?

[Jeff Howe]

Whether Trevor Goosby comes back to Texas for another season in 2027 or enters the NFL draft, the Longhorns know they’ll be without their All-American candidate at left tackle for the rest of the 2026 season.

Goosby’s patellar tendon injury means Andre Cojoe, who played 62 snaps at left tackle in Saturday’s 34-27 win over Ole Miss, is the next man up for No. 11 Texas (5-2, 3-2 SEC).

Much like Will Muschamp’s conundrum of doing multiple things to make up for Colin Simmons’ absence, the Longhorn offensive line can’t replace Goosby with one player. With that said, there are three things Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood can do to help Cojoe hold serve and allow the offense to build on a performance against the Rebels that included season highs in total yards (419), rushing yards (207), yards per carry (4.9) and points against a Power Four opponent.

1. Lean into Cojoe’s ability as a run blocker

Cojoe moved people on Saturday and his ability to cave in or seal the backside of Texas’ stretch runs opened cutbacks for Raleek Brown. Cojoe and Dylan Sikorski got a lot of work together in camp while Goosby was dealing with a knee injury (bone bruise). Their familiarity paid off in the win over Ole Miss; according to Pro Football Focus, the Longhorns rushed for 148 yards (9.9 yards per attempt) on A-, B- and C-gap runs to the left.

2. Get Jordan Coleman more snaps

Sarkisian shouldn’t hesitate to use the jumbo package with Coleman as the sixth offensive lineman beyond goal-to-go runs inside the 5-yard line. Four of the seven snaps Coleman has logged this season have ended with a rushing touchdown, including two on Saturday (Michael Terry III's 2-yard run in the second quarter and Arch Manning’s 1-yard keeper in the fourth quarter).

The win over the Rebels proved again that when the Longhorns get their hats on opposing defenders, they can move people and create creases for the backs. Coleman (356 pounds) and Cojoe (339 pounds) give Texas a large surface to run behind.

Plus, the more snaps Coleman gets, the more ready he’ll be if something happens to Cojoe or Melvin Siani (Coleman made strides at left tackle with the first-team offense during spring practice while Goosby was out, recovering from shoulder surgery).

3. Keep prioritizing the quick passing game

Sarkisian dialed up screens to get Manning into a rhythm and to get the ball to his playmakers in space early in the game. But the highest percentage of Manning’s pass attempts against Ole Miss were thrown up to nine yards beyond the line of scrimmage (36.7 percent, according to PFF).

Although one of Manning’s interceptions came within this depth, he was 7-for-11 for 77 yards. Manning was 5-for-6 for 56 yards on pass attempts to the middle of the field up to nine yards beyond the line of scrimmage, including first-down throws to Emmett Mosley V (23 yards), Cam Coleman (12 yards), Jermaine Bishop Jr. (11 yards) and Michael Masunas (10 yards).

The quick game can increase Cojoe’s margin for error as the blindside pass protector, which should lead to fewer plays like the strip-sack that led to a Rebel touchdown. Establishing the quick game can also force the defense to tighten things up in coverage, which should then open up the deep shots Sarkisian likes to take (although leaving a tight end and/or running back in to help will be required, especially when the Longhorns face top-quality edge defenders from Missouri and LSU).

To help a struggling or unproven pass protector, an offensive coordinator can do one of three things: lean on calls to force the quarterback to rid of the ball quickly, keep extra blockers in to help with protection or put more receivers out into the route. Expect Sarkisian to look at all of those options to compensate for losing an NFL-caliber prospect at one of the most important positions on the field.

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[Jeff Howe]

I didn't mention this in the article, but Sark continuing to scheme up good runs for Arch will help. Having a plus-1 advantage with a quarterback who can and will run puts extra pressure on a defense, making for the kind of margin-for-error increase Texas needs without Goosby.

[UT Longhorn]

I just hope Sark doesn't decide that 12 personnel is the only solution 

[alrightalrightalright]

Nice article, Jeff. All three of those should help keep the ball out of harm’s way.

Our turnovers this year have come from fumbles in the pocket and long-play developing deep throws.

[LonghornFan4Ever]

5 minutes ago, UT Longhorn said:

I just hope Sark doesn't decide that 12 personnel is the only solution 

I know more 12 personnel is coming.  Sark can’t help himself in that regard.  Hoping for the best though.

[Alex Butler]

Great stuff, part of me wonders if this actually forces Sark into what he should’ve been doing all along and you mentioned above. Short high percentage passes and running the dang ball. We’ve shown we we simplify the blocking concepts we’re able to move the ball (as noted above). Let’s do this for Trev!!

[mmdaytontexas]

Both interceptions and the fumble was because Arch fell back into his habit of hesitating and throwing late. On the first interception he threw after the WR made his break. He should have thrown it to a spot before the WR turned. By throwing it late The CB had time to break inside the WR and pick the pass off. The second interception he waited until the WR broke free of the underneath coverage but by the time he threw it the safety coverage converged and picked it off. On the fumble he hesitated and he was sacked because Cojoe was badly beaten.