2026 Texas 2 Deep Projection and Transfer Portal Wishlist

[Lam Dinh]

Offense (2 deep)

QB - Arch Manning (KJ Lacy)
RB - CJ Baxter OR Tre Wisner
WR - Emmett Mosley OR Ryan Wingo
WR - Parker Livingstone (Kaliq Lockett OR Jamie Ffrench)
WR - DeAndre Moore Jr (Daylon McCutcheon OR Jermaine Bishop)
TE - Jack Endries (Nick Townsend)
LT - Trevor Goosby (Nick Brooks)
LG - Conner Stroh OR Neto???
C - Conner Robertson (Daniel Cruz)
RG - Nate Kibble OR ???
RT - Brandon Baker (Andre Cojoe)

Biggest Holes: LG, RG, and RB. We don’t have 1 starting caliber Guard on the team going into next year and we yet have 2 open starting spots (gulp). I think we need a bruising RB from the portal who has no injury history. The rest of the offense is going to better in 2026 with an extra year of experience.

Defense (2 deep)

DE - Colin Simmons (Colton Vasek OR Smith Orogpo OR Richard Wesley)
DT - Alex January (Maraad Watson)
DT - Hero Kanu (Lavon Johnson/Justus Terry)
DE - Lance Jackson (Zina Umeozulu)
LB - Tyanthony Smith (Leona Lefau)
LB - Brad Spence (Bo Barnes)
CB - Graceson Littleton (Warren Roberson)
CB - Kade Phillips (Kobe Black)
Star - Wardell Mack (Smoke Matthews)
S - Derek Williams (Jonah Williams)
S - Xavier Filsaime (Jordan Johnson Rubbell)

Biggest Holes: CB and Safety. We need at least 1 starting level CB, maybe even 2. We also need 1 starting level safety, I don’t trust Filsaime.

My Top 5 Transfer Portal Christmas List (from teams who have fired their coaches)

1. Roderick Kearney OG - Florida (started several games as SO this year, has NFL potential) 
2. Ashton Stamps CB - LSU (12 PBUs in 2024)
3. Caden Durham RB - LSU (our new Jaydon Blue)
4. P4/G5 starting level OG
5. P4 starting quality Safety

Who do you guys want most from the portal that isn’t going to completely break the bank?

[AusMOJO]

I think N.Umeozulu and Cojoe probably hit the portal. Unless Cojoe wants to move inside to RG (which he probably doesn't). I think Baxter has had too many injuries to be considered reliable anymore and Wisner is good but will either try his luck in the draft or not be the main back at Texas next year. We don't have a true #1 RB right now, imo. Moore is also someone I could see trying his luck in the NFL regardless.

Probably see a few other guys hit the portal, like Roberson and potentially a few other DB's, imo. Not sure what Cruz will do, will he challenge for the starting job at C or transfer? Rev sharing is going to get some dudes in the portal and paid elsewhere, imo.

As for what we need or should get. 2-3 G's in the portal to create depth/competition there. Our interior needs to get better. I think Bobby or Gerry has mentioned we need an over the ball DT, as we lose both Shaw and Brevard. That would leave you with just Sharma filling that spot.

1 RB, if you want to run 12 personnel some pit fighters at TE who will actually hit someone and block. Maybe an experienced QB similar to Caldwell again?

Defensively, besides the DT I mentioned up above, likely need 1 LB, 1-2 CB's depending on what happens there. 1 S. Potentially going for another K and P in the portal, too. 

[GoHorns1]

Stroh nor Neto are the answer at guard, probably a portal guard. Cujo will be the swing OT(lack of film because on injury therefore not a portal candidate )

Richard Wesley is a Jack edge and primarily backup to a Lance Jackson

Hero Kanu to NFL, Lavon Johnson portal

[Jaybird]

Being realistic on this list, we need some major attrition. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if CJ Baxter is hampered by injuries, he needs to renegotiate his NIL to be more of a team player or he'll have to walk. We need to see a heavy rotation of Simon, Copper, Wisner (3rd Down), and an actual bruiser running back. Caden Durham is not in the same vein as say a guy like Jaquinden Jackson from last year's hogs' team. We had a solid run defense last year and he averaged 5.1 YPC on us. 

[TexasFanatic]

1. WR (all we have are JAGS)

2. RB 

3. OG

4. DB

5. OG

 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

1 hour ago, Jaybird said:

Being realistic on this list, we need some major attrition. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if CJ Baxter is hampered by injuries, he needs to renegotiate his NIL to be more of a team player or he'll have to walk. We need to see a heavy rotation of Simon, Copper, Wisner (3rd Down), and an actual bruiser running back. Caden Durham is not in the same vein as say a guy like Jaquinden Jackson from last year's hogs' team. We had a solid run defense last year and he averaged 5.1 YPC on us. 

Definitely agree about baxter. This has become a business now and he’s not holding up the end of his deal. Your best ability is your availability. 

[Steamboat Willie]

Good Post— and that’s actually why I’m less panicked about the interior than some folks.

Brooks has been cross trained at both guard and tackle, and everyone who’s watched him knows his ceiling is higher inside. He’s got the frame and the power for guard and moving him there stabilizes at least one spot immediately.

When you line it up that way, the OL picture looks a lot more functional:

LG: Brooks (best natural fit; cross-training pays off here)

😄 Robertson / Cruz (and yes, Cruz is probably a long-term center, not a guard)

RG: Kibble (talent is there — consistency just needs to show up)

Portal Guard to round it out

If Neto gives you anything, that’s gravy.
If Cojoe takes a leap at RT, that’s even more cushion.

So yeah, Texas needs help at guard — but not because the cupboard is empty.
It’s because guys like Brooks have been playing out of position out of necessity.

Put him where he belongs, let Cruz grow at center, and add one veteran guard…
and suddenly the “gulp” turns into “actually, this can work.”

[Jaybird]

58 minutes ago, TexasFanatic said:

1. WR (all we have are JAGS)

2. RB 

3. OG

4. DB

5. OG

 

1. OL (At least two interior)

2. RB

3. DB/S

 

4. WR

 

We're shelling out some serious dough on the guys sitting on the bench. The position is heavily dependent on Pass Blocking and QB play which this season has left a lot to be desired. Deandre Moore was hoping to go pro, no production to do so IMO, Wingo will either portal or return. Livingstone and Mosley are underclassmen. Then we have Lockett, McCutcheon, Ffrench all of whom should press for PT. 

 

OL needs to be tuned up on the interior. Tackles are fine. Full stop, the offense goes where it goes.

[Joe Zura]

I love Wisner and Baxter but Baxter will never be what he used to be poor guy cause I loved him but that was a serious injury, Wisner has the heart and will to but he isn’t big enough we need a downhill running back period it has screwed us for the last 2 years 

[901longhorn]

Do we take a look?! 🧐

[Jaybird]

3 minutes ago, 901longhorn said:

Do we take a look?! 🧐

Good god almighty I would hope.