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

    Jeff Howe

    By Jeff Howe

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    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)

    • Hook 'Em 31
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    • Moderators
    Jeff Howe
    • Moderators
    7 hours ago, Deep in the heart said:

    Great write up Jeff! So do you expect Masunas to start over Townsend in 11 personnel? I'm assuming this is a general depth chart and not the depth chart for Texas St. since you have Goosby starting at LT. Would Cummings get the nod over Atkinson against Texas St.? I thought Cummings would line up at MLB and Atkinson would be lined up at WLB.

    1. Whether he starts or not, Masunas will be the primary tight end. That's the way it was through camp.

    2. Yes, it's the depth chart in general, not specifically for the Texas State game.

    3. Kosi Okpala is the most ready to play among the freshmen linebackers. As it stands, Darius Snow would be on the field before Atkinson based on how things have unfolded in camp.

    • Hook 'Em 1
    Deep in the heart
    13 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

    1. Whether he starts or not, Masunas will be the primary tight end. That's the way it was through camp.

    2. Yes, it's the depth chart in general, not specifically for the Texas State game.

    3. Kosi Okpala is the most ready to play among the freshmen linebackers. As it stands, Darius Snow would be on the field before Atkinson based on how things have unfolded in camp.

    Thanks Jeff.



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