Gerry Hamilton

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Defining players for the 2026 team A question for the OnTexasFootball community. What provides the opportunity for a team to accomplish special things in a season isn't just about the known stars have strong seasons, but the players that go to another level or go beyond the expectations of the coaching staff. Texas needs at least five or six players to make that leap or just go beyond what Steve Sarkisian and staff thought when recruited from the portal or high school. For me, there are a number of candidates and players that are needed to be those players in 2026. Who are your defining players? These are mine. 1. Jonah Williams - The second year safety is one of the most gifted player in the program, period. Whether it's athletically or as a playmaker, he's an elite talent even in a very talented program. If Williams stays healthy and becomes a player at the safety opposite Jelani McDonald, the ceiling of the secondary and defense goes to another level. 2. Melvin Siani - Sark already told the fan base Siani is looking like one of those guys. Texas knew he was a talented pass protector when they recruited him, but he's bringing piss and vinegar as a run blocker. With his frame, if he's equally as talented as a run blocker and pass blocker, he will ascend on NFL draft boards. That would give Texas two OT's that will be top 3 round picks, and change the trajectory of an OL that also has a future top 3 round pick in Brandon Baker. 3. Bo Mascoe - This one is already coming home, and it began in the spring. Texas did go into the spring with multiple questions at corner. Mascoe has taken away one question, and in spades. He's also the No. 2 nickel. 4. Kade Phillips - Phillips has to come through and be a very good player, period. This schedule has too many talented QB's and WR's to have a question at a corner spot. Phillips is how you draw up a corner physically. Texas doesn't have to have him be an All-SEC pick level corner in year two, but they need to have him play like a future top 3 round type pick this season. The margins are very thin with this schedule, and the corner spot opposite Mascoe must come through. 5. Brad Spence - The change at DC will benefit Spence more than any other defender. Now, Texas needs him to be a top 2-3 pass rusher on this team and a physical contact player that impacts the run game too. Spence is an easy pick for me to have a better season than expected coming off of 2025, but also down the list because he's already proven at Arkansas before Texas wasted a year with him in 2025. 6. Justin Cryer - Cryer has to be the 'thumper' at linebacker, point blank. He's the guy. Muschamp's defense has to have that bigger, physical thumper. Stopping the run is No. 1, 2 and 3 for the Texas defense. In order for the Longhorns to maximize in that capacity, Cryer has to be a consistent and productive player vs. the run. He is a proven player in that regard, so he's down the list. He's also already showing the signs that he could go beyond what was initially expected when recruited out of the portal. 7. Lance Jackson - This one is easy. Jackson needs to look like a future top 3 draft pick this season. He has to be more than a run defender, and has the ability to. Even if his best pass rush ability is when he spins inside on 3rd downs, he has to help provide pass rush. This could also be a Jackson-Umeozulu combo, but the spot Colin Simmons needs to be productive to maximize this defense. Jackson is a very good scheme fit for Muschamp, and there are expectations he makes a big jump in year two. 8. Nick Townsend - Michael Masunas is a very solid inline TE. Townsend brings a different dimension. He's pound-for-pound one of the best athletes in the program. He's more than a willing blocker, and Texas should be very solid blocking at the TE position. The staff needs Townsend to be a dependable pass catcher in year two, and sprinkle in some explosive plays at the TE position. He's absolutely the best option at TE in that regard. For the offense to maximize, he needs to become that level player. Every player a opponent has to be weary of, the more consistent the Texas offense will become. 9. Maraad Watson - Watson is down the list because he's already a known talent. The former freshman All-American was not healthy the last half of 2025. I'm of the believe Will Muschamp is going to help take him to another level, and Watson is currently the best chance of an interior defensive line to become a consistent disruptor. Watson is having a very good fall camp, and appears to be heading in that direction. 10. Laurence Seymore III - Already a proven player, Texas needs one thing from Seymore III. A nasty disposition. That's it. Siani and Seymore III both brining pissed off on contact mentality to this line and offense is absolutely needed to maximize the run game. If this happens, the OL will appear totally different on contact in 2026.

To answer your Q though, as it stands currently … top 20 team, and see how much higher Toppin can push them when he returns from ACL injury. I’ve seen some of the truly idiotic Texas Tech fan posts about “best starting 5 in the country” it’s truly laughable Duke’s entire roster is ridiculously talented. Illinois is very talented Florida is very talented Texas has a more pro talented starting 5 Tech fans are out of their minds.

First senior season clips https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcSVBlrNSzB/?igsi=cGh1dG92bW04MTdn

Yeah, I just don't care. People should push back as hard as possible on these guys trying to get another year right now. And push back on the staff's that swung and missed in the portal window, tried to get kids eligible that they knew were long shots and now suddenly get a BS second shot at it. Look at Texas A&M ... every school that looked at Bryson Warren (Texas one of those), said they didn't believe he would end up eligible. A&M rolls the dice. He's not eligible, and now they get rewarded for a bad decision/gamble with a Jordan Pope. It's complete BS for me, bottom line. I hope they continue to push back as hard as possible.

Let's see if all their guys end up being eligible. NCAA still going after a stay in the tenth circuit appellate court, where they have won before.

We’ll agree to disagree on that. There needs to be push back.. in a big way IMO

Joe Sterling just became @harveycmdfavorite Texas player https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcRaCeMp1L9/?igsh=MWMyaTAydzY5YWJveQ==

I think it's satire ... but pretty funny.

I personally don't see how it's correct. But fun

Stood out to me too. Agreed

Texas with 6 ND also with 6 https://www.si.com/nfl/top-50-nfl-draft-prospects-2026-college-football-season

That covers 24 of the National Champions since 2000 😂

Have at it boys and girls lol

Jason Barron

Already beat you to it!

299,999 Texas fans and 1 Oregon fan

lol Ryan McGee 👏 https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49648152/2026-preseason-college-football-bottom-10-jayden-daniels-number-up

Yes. Why they threw the bag at Pope. Pope isn't Warren. Warren is a big loss for that roster IMO.

And he’s also been being paid as professional for 5 seasons. He has multiple things going against him

Yep. Thats why the Aggies threw the bag at Pope

Great for team concept in me workout world too

Well done