Who do we have to replace in 2026?

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Assuming this 2026 class ends up on its current trajectory, we should be set with another spectacular roster next year.  Looking at where there are departures, it is obvious why Sark has gone after the guys we have gone after in 2026

Clear departures:  OL Campbell, OL Hutson, DE Burke, DT Brevard, DT Shaw, DE/LB Moore, CB Guilbeau, S Taaffe, DS St. Louis, K Stone, K Shipley, P Bouwmester

Eligible departures likely: LB Hill, CB, Muhammad, OL Goosby

Eligible departures possible: RB Wisner, WR Moore, TE Endries, OL Umeozulu, DT Kanu, LB Lefau, LB Spence, S McDonald

Elibgible depatures unlikely: QB Manning, OL Robertson, DT Johnson, S Williams, CB Roberson, DE Vasek, OG Stroh, RB Baxter, WR Niblett, TE Shannon, TE Randle, OL Cojoe, OL Chatman (few may depart for transfers off of this list)

Where the 2026 class fits in: elite OT takes place of Goosby, depth at DL, stud CB to replace Muhammad, stud LB to replace Hill, stud RB to replace Wisner if he leaves, all 3 special teams guys.  The only missing piece is Safety where we lose 1.. or 2 big time players.  Like Riley a lot but Benjamin would complete this class from a pure roster management standpoint.  TE is also not being replaced but the 2 young studs from the 2025 should fit in well with Washington for a strong 3 person group if Endries leaves.

[A-10HORN]

We need Goosby to stay. Thats probably not happening if he plays like we expect.  If he leaves Nick Brooks will replace him and you will have Baker and him at OT.  We will absolutely go to the portal for depth at OT next year.  Turntine is good but coaches aren't going to count on him as our primary depth piece at OT next year. 

Our starting CB's are already on the team

LBs will be Spence and Lefau with Bo Barnes and Ty Anthony rotating in. Atkinson will play here some as well.  If either Spence or Lefau leaves we will portal a guy in for depth at a minimum.

Starting Safeties are already on campus 

[Roysterr]

2 hours ago, A-10HORN said:

We need Goosby to stay. Thats probably not happening if he plays like we expect.  If he leaves Nick Brooks will replace him and you will have Baker and him at OT.  We will absolutely go to the portal for depth at OT next year.  Turntine is good but coaches aren't going to count on him as our primary depth piece at OT next year. 

Our starting CB's are already on the team

LBs will be Spence and Lefau with Bo Barnes and Ty Anthony rotating in. Atkinson will play here some as well.  If either Spence or Lefau leaves we will portal a guy in for depth at a minimum.

Starting Safeties are already on campus 

Don't think you can keep Atkinson off the field. Think freshman Derek Johnson, high impact player

[TheContractor12]

Hopefully 90%+ of the replacements and 100% of the starers will come from 2024&2025 classes and those guys will get some reps this year in games 2-4 and others where the outcome is not in doubt in 4th Q. 

[A-10HORN]

12 minutes ago, Roysterr said:

Don't think you can keep Atkinson off the field. Think freshman Derek Johnson, high impact player

He will play but LB is a tough jump to make for a freshman.  Not sure he starts.  At least no early in the season.  Play for sure.  Hes pretty advanced though so he has that going for him

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

3 hours ago, A-10HORN said:

We need Goosby to stay. Thats probably not happening if he plays like we expect.  If he leaves Nick Brooks will replace him and you will have Baker and him at OT.  We will absolutely go to the portal for depth at OT next year.  Turntine is good but coaches aren't going to count on him as our primary depth piece at OT next year. 

Our starting CB's are already on the team

LBs will be Spence and Lefau with Bo Barnes and Ty Anthony rotating in. Atkinson will play here some as well.  If either Spence or Lefau leaves we will portal a guy in for depth at a minimum.

Starting Safeties are already on campus 

Agree with all of this. Though I do think Spence may not be around next year if this year goes as planned. Atkinson will definitely be a part of the plan in 2026. 

[CJ Vogel]

It would be no surprise to me if Baxter left for the league after this season, regardless of production

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

17 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

It would be no surprise to me if Baxter left for the league after this season, regardless of production

I for one hope he gradually rehabs to the point that he is his old self by the end of the year. If he declares at that point then that would be good for all parties. 

[SpaceCityWrangler]

Breaking down all offensive position groups… looking at 2026, what happens with Brandon Baker? Is he a dude? If so, Nick Brooks can play LT.  If not, we will need a dude at one of the OT spots.
 

LB’er would be a concern if Brad Spence didn’t return.  Hill is obviously gone.  Lefau, Tyanthony, Barnes, Cunningham and new comers Atkinson and Okpala make for a very young group.  
 

Not worried about the defensive backfield.
 

What happens with Baker and Spence are key. 

[CJ Vogel]

1 minute ago, SpaceCityWrangler said:

Breaking down all offensive position groups… looking at 2026, what happens with Brandon Baker? Is he a dude? If so, Nick Brooks can play LT.  If not, we will need a dude at one of the OT spots.
 

LB’er would be a concern if Brad Spence didn’t return.  Hill is obviously gone.  Lefau, Tyanthony, Barnes, Cunningham and new comers Atkinson and Okpala make for a very young group.  
 

Not worried about the defensive backfield.
 

What happens with Baker and Spence are key. 

Part of why the staff is looking at 3 at LB in 2026. The one take in 2024 with Ty'Anthony Smith leaves the room thin-ish given who all is eligible to declare.

[GoHorns1]

5 hours ago, A-10HORN said:

We need Goosby to stay. Thats probably not happening if he plays like we expect.  If he leaves Nick Brooks will replace him and you will have Baker and him at OT.  We will absolutely go to the portal for depth at OT next year.  Turntine is good but coaches aren't going to count on him as our primary depth piece at OT next year. 

Our starting CB's are already on the team

LBs will be Spence and Lefau with Bo Barnes and Ty Anthony rotating in. Atkinson will play here some as well.  If either Spence or Lefau leaves we will portal a guy in for depth at a minimum.

Starting Safeties are already on campus 

Wisner  and Baxter are probably to the NFL

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

On Baxter. Hopefully stays on track 
 

https://x.com/kbohls/status/1947693137276899565?s=46

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

47 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

Wisner  and Baxter are probably to the NFL

Hope so. Would mean a successful year running the ball