The Longhorns have not added a portal offensive lineman since Sarkisian arrived in Austin before the 2021 campaign, preferring instead to recruit and nurture high school talent. That approach served Texas well for years, but held the team back in 2025. After four of UT’s starting linemen moved on last offseason, Texas filled those holes from within, and it didn’t work. 

Texas ranked 10th in the 16-team SEC in rushing efficiency during the regular season. More importantly, it often subjected quarterback Arch Manning to a degree of pressure he couldn’t cope with. No quarterback in the SEC endured more dropbacks under pressure than Manning, according to Pro Football Focus. 

But what other positions could Texas target in the transfer portal when it officially opens Jan. 2? Here’s a look. 

Sarkisian already signaled his dissatisfaction with the production of Texas’ running game by reportedly dismissing running backs coach Chad Scott. The Longhorns averaged 3.9 yards per rush during the regular season — by far their worst mark in Sarkisian’s five campaigns at the helm. 

Even if Texas starter Quintrevion Wisner returns, there’s an opportunity to upgrade the position, whether that comes in the form of depth or someone to compete with Wisner for the starting job. There’s an argument to be made that an addition is necessary to fill out the numbers in the room, too. Jerrick Gibson and CJ Baxter are both expected to depart via the transfer portal, leaving Wisner as the only player on the depth chart with significant experience. 

Malik Muhammad, one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC this season, is eligible to declare for the NFL draft, and expert projections indicate he could be a first-round pick if he chooses that route. 

Jaylon Guilbeau, who started alongside Muhammad for most of the season, seemed to fall out of favor with the Texas coaching staff late in the campaign, with underclassmen Kobe Black and Kade Phillips playing 49 of the available 68 snaps at what had been Guilbeau’s position in Texas’ season finale against Texas A&M. 

The Longhorns boast plenty of young talent at the position. Freshman Graceson Littleton made the slot corner position, joining the likes of Phillips, Black and Warren Roberson on the list of corners who could compete for starting jobs in 2026. 

But is Texas comfortable with fielding a defensive backfield that young? An addition at that position could provide valuable experience. 

The Longhorns sought out veterans at both punter and kicker ahead of the 2025 season, with both additions proving helpful to a special teams unit that floundered in 2024. 

But Mason Shipley and Jack Bouwmeester are set to exhaust their collegiate eligibility after the Citrus Bowl, leaving the Longhorns with a hole to fill at both positions. 

Spencer Barnett is the only other kicker on UT’s roster, while Gehrig Heil has spent his freshman season backing up Bouwmeester. Does Texas view either player as a future starter? Or will Sarkisian make specialist positions a priority again in the portal?Â