DAYTON, Ohio —This is the portion of the spring when March Madness takes center stage. We’ve got our brackets getting bloodied and those fortunate enough to have man caves are sequestered in that part of the house with snacks and adult beverages at the ready.
Yet, that little thought still tugs at the football diehards: Spring football is in full swing leading up to the April 18 Orange-White game, which makes its return to Royal-Memorial Stadium. While the Madness dominates television, some of you are thinking the same things:
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What is Steve Sarkisian cooking up over there at Denius Fields?
MORE CED: How Texas basketball’s Tramon Mark, Chendall Weaver delivered an NCAA bid
When will Texas’ QB1 get cleared for full takeoff after that minor foot surgery?
Can Colin Simmons build on those 12½ sacks?
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What are the Texas A&M Aggies working on?
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) catches a snap in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
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Is there a freshman over who will provide a Graceson Littleton type of presence on the defense?
Those questions will be answered soon enough.
For now, let’s start at the top of the food chain. Any success the Longhorns have this fall can only come if the following five players are at the top of their game:
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Arch Manning
He’s the franchise. How he goes, the Longhorns will go. Manning’s average passing yards per game went from 218 to 288 in the second half of the season, and he displayed an ability to make game-changing plays with his legs. If he can stay healthy and pick up where he left off in the second half of 2025, the Longhorns will be a problem.
We watched at practice last week and Manning didn’t do much, but he also didn’t show any ill effects from his surgery. There is no rush to push him back out there this early, but look for him to improve his numbers for 2026. The 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions were impressive on the surface, but he finished strong.
If he plays consistently for 12 games, we’ll see Manning donning a tux in New York for the Heisman ceremony.
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Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
LT Trevor Goosby
Every superstar needs a bodyguard. The biggest news of the offseason — besides the signing of Auburn WR Cam Coleman — was the left tackle returning for another season. He filled Kelvin Banks, Jr.’s big shoes last year, but must continue to progress for the Horns to ascend.
Goosby looks bigger during spring practice and that added armor should aid him as long as he retains those quick feet. He’s easily the most important lineman on this roster. He’s not only protecting the most prized bauble in Sarkisian’s jewelry chest, but also is playing for 2027 NFL Draft position.
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DE Colin Simmons
Simmons has matured, and that’s one of the biggest storylines of this offseason. After admittedly chasing stats, which led to some early-season struggles, Simmons settled into the defensive end possession and blossomed into one of the SEC’s most prolific sack masters. He’s no longer talking about breaking Kiki DeAyala’s school record of 22½ career sacks, but is concentrating on winning ballgames. He’s a first-round pick waiting to happen.
Simmons has moved his family down to Austin and is starting a foundation. It’s cool to see him blossom on and off the field. Great things are coming his way.
MLB Ty’Anthony Smith
With Anthony Hill, Jr. taking his act to the NFL, Smith settles into the middle of this defense, similar to how Hill took over for Jaylan Ford a few seasons back. The responsibility? Humongous, but early indications suggest Smith is up for the job. He’s rangy and violent, which are great attributes for the job.
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Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman is expected to catch a big payday in the transfer portal.
George Walker IV/Associated Press
Running sideline to sideline is essential to the job along with covering running backs in the passing game. Expect some growing pains, but also some big plays in between. Middle linebacker is one of the toughest positions to play in today’s game, but Smith has the mental makeup to run the front of this defense. It’s a look to take in, but he’s up to the task, especially with some veteran coaches like Will Muschamp in his ear.
The $3 million man caught 56 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns in his final season at Auburn. Those numbers are about to soar because he now has an elite QB in Manning tossing him the pill.
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We already know what Ryan Wingo can do, but with the dynamic Coleman on the other side, this passing game can take another step forward. Coleman can play all the positions, so expect Steve Sarkisian to move him around to create advantageous matchups. Look for him to catch upward of 75 balls for more than 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns.
Coleman, Wingo and Emmett Mosley V make for one of the most explosive receiving trios in the country. Let’s see if they can meet the hype.
Texas Longhornsguard Rori Harmon (3) hugs guard Bryanna Preston (1) after the game against Georgia at the Moody Center on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Rori Harmon, Texas women are single-minded
Four years ago, the Texas women were looking to return to the elite of college basketball. They’re here now and Vic Schaefer’s crew knows any finish less than an appearance in the championship appearance will be considered a disappointment.
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WOMEN’S HOOPS: Top seeded Horns draw Missouri State
Getting back to the Final Four last season was a huge checked box, but it’s time to take it to another level. While UConn, UCLA, South Carolina and a few others pose a sizable threat, Texas is built to win a national championship now. Forward Madison Booker and point guard Rori Harmon are the two-headed snake that runs this operation and it will be an interesting tale that plays out since this is Harmon’s last go-around in college basketball.
The 2025 national semifinals appearance was a nice taste of what can happen. Harmon believes Texas’ NCAA semifinals loss to South Carolina can help the current team on its journey.
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“The experience is really good and beneficial,” Harmon said on our “On Second Thought” podcast recently. “When you’re there, it’s an absolute need to get back. That’s the standard and the expectation now. It’s to play the best of the best. That’s what we want to get back to.”
There are plenty of games between now and then, starting with Friday’s first-round matchup with Missouri State.