As announced today, here is the 2026 preseason All-Big 12 team\u2019s offense. How many of these players would you slide into Texas\u2019 starting lineup?<\/p>\n
[Sign up for Inside Texas for $1 then get 50% off your first year!]<\/a><\/p>\n Quarterback:\u00a0Noah Fifita<\/a>, QB, Arizona, RS-Sr.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not taking Fifita over Arch Manning<\/a>, though Fifita is a good college quarterback.<\/p>\n Running Back:\u00a0Cam Cook<\/a>, RB, West Virginia, Sr. While IT thought highly of Cook when he was portaling out of Jacksonville State, he isn\u2019t a player that would supplant Hollywood Smothers<\/a> or Raleek Brown<\/a> in my mind. Similar does not apply for Martin. He was last year\u2019s Big 12 offensive player of the year and one of the primary reasons BYU was even a College Football Playoff contender in the first place considering Bear Bachmeier<\/a>\u2018s limitations. I think there\u2019s a good argument that Martin would be RB1 for a supermajority of Power Four teams. I\u2019d pick him to be a Texas offensive starter.<\/p>\n Fullback:\u00a0Kayden Luke<\/a>, FB, West Virginia, Jr.<\/p>\n Wide Receiver:\u00a0Omarion Miller<\/a>, WR, Arizona State, Sr. Miller was a big play waiting to happen last year even with mediocre quarterback play. Sound familiar? Cam Coleman<\/a> was the same thing and made his hay in the SEC. Not trading Coleman for Miller. <\/p>\n Thomas up-transferred from UAB to Houston and was once again extremely productive, with 67 catches for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. Listed at 6-foot-0, 205 pounds and a threat to score from just about anywhere on the field, Thomas will be one of the best wideouts in the state of Texas this year. Is he getting the nod over Ryan Wingo<\/a> or Emmett Mosley V<\/a>? I\u2019m not providing that nod, but I\u2019m also willing to acknowledge Thomas would not look out of place in Texas\u2019 receiver rotation or even the starting lineup.<\/p>\n Young is part of the crew following Eric Morris<\/a> to Oklahoma State. He\u2019ll be productive at OSU but I wouldn\u2019t replace any of Texas\u2019 starters with him.<\/p>\n Tight End:\u00a0Terrance Carter Jr.<\/a>, TE, Texas Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n Carter fits the profile of a strong pass-catching tight end. He would profile to the H position in Sarkisian\u2019s offense and would occupy a role similar to the one Jack Endries<\/a> took on last year. Carter is passable as a blocker even though he\u2019s undersized. But as TTU\u2019s safety valve last year with 55 catches, there\u2019s reason to give taking Carter over Nick Townsend<\/a> or Emaree Winston<\/a> some serious thought. <\/p>\n Offensive Line:\u00a0Joe Cotton<\/a>, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Sr. Cotton was a left tackle last year. I\u2019m not taking him over Trevor Goosby<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hurst arrives at Houston after four seasons with Tulane. He was one of the best interior offensive linemen in the transfer portal. But, he\u2019s 6-foot-2, 295 according to UH and the Longhorns already added an experienced, veteran, 6-foot-2 offensive lineman in Laurence Seymore<\/a> (with more mass). Hurst would not look out of place on a SEC offensive line, but I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m picking him over the interior options available to Texas. <\/p>\n Mitchell was one of the best centers in the nation last year, allowing only nine pressures in 923 snaps and notching a run-blocking grade of 77.1. He\u2019d be a smart choice to add to Texas. He was also a member of the high school class of 2019, so he\u2019s got three years of experience on Connor Robertson<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pastore was a left tackle. Not taking him over Goosby (or Melvin Siani<\/a> for that matter). <\/p>\n Tengesdahl would be an easy addition to the 2026 Longhorns. One of the best guards in the nation last year, Cincinnati did a quality job to retain him this past offseason.<\/p>\n Kicker:\u00a0Stone Harrington<\/a>, PK, Texas Tech, Sr. Harrington and Gianni Spetic<\/a> are pretty close, though Harrington may be a touch more accurate from 30-50.<\/p>\n
Running Back:\u00a0LJ Martin<\/a>, RB, BYU, Sr.<\/p>\n
Wide Receiver:\u00a0Amare Thomas<\/a>, WR, Houston, Sr.
Wide Receiver:\u00a0Wyatt Young<\/a>, WR, Oklahoma State, Jr.<\/p>\n
Offensive Line:\u00a0Shadre Hurst<\/a>, OL, Houston, Sr.
Offensive Line:\u00a0Bruce Mitchell<\/a>, OL, BYU, RS-Sr.
Offensive Line:\u00a0John Pastore<\/a>, OL, Kansas State, Sr.
Offensive Line:\u00a0Evan Tengesdahl<\/a>, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Jr.<\/p>\n
Punt\/Kick Returner:\u00a0Mana Carvalho<\/a>, PR\/KR, Utah, So.<\/p>\n