Depth Chart Thursday: Projecting the Longhorns' Two-Deep Under Steve Sarkisian and Will Muschamp

Welcome to Depth Chart Thursday on SEC Saturday Wire. As we progress through the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season, the Texas Longhorns are navigating a fascinating roster transformation. Fresh off a 41-27 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan and armed with a new seven-year contract extension, head coach Steve Sarkisian is reshaping his depth chart alongside offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and newly hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Quarterback: The Arch Manning Era

There is no position battle at the top of the ticket in Austin. Arch Manning officially takes over as the full-time starting quarterback entering his junior year. Following his dominant MVP performance in the Citrus Bowl, Manning is the undisputed QB1. However, the battle for the primary backup spot is a major storyline. Incoming transfer MJ Morris joins returning prospects KJ Lacey and Dia Bell, giving the Longhorns a highly competitive three-way race to secure the QB2 job.

Offensive Skill Positions: Portal Overhaul

The running back room looks entirely different this spring. With CJ Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner, and Jerrick Gibson exiting via the transfer portal, Texas aggressively recruited to fill the void. Look for high-profile incoming transfers Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers to battle for the lead back role. At wide receiver, returning starters Ryan Wingo and Ryan Niblett form a lethal foundation. They are joined by headline transfer portal addition Cam Coleman, creating what projects to be one of the SEC's most explosive receiving corps. Up front, returning starter Trevor Goosby will be heavily relied upon to anchor Flood's offensive line.

Defense: Muschamp's Blank Canvas

Will Muschamp steps in as defensive coordinator to replace Pete Kwiatkowski, inheriting a unit that must replace a massive wave of NFL departures. Heavyweight exits like Anthony Hill Jr., Malik Muhammad, Trey Moore, Michael Taaffe, DJ Campbell, and Ethan Burke leave multiple starting jobs wide open across all three levels. Returning star Colin Simmons projects as the foundational building block of Muschamp's pass rush. Beyond Simmons, look for incoming transfers like Rasheem Biles, Zion Williams, and Justin Cryer to immediately compete for starting roles in the front seven. While the traditional Orange-White Spring Game was scrapped in favor of an open practice and Fan Day on April 18, those sessions provided crucial developmental reps as Muschamp works to finalize his defensive two-deep ahead of the fall.