Is the 2026 Texas Longhorns roster the best in the Steve Sarkisian era? He thinks it is. Sark has spent years trying to get all of the pieces lined up and the UT football coach thinks this might be that season.
“I would say probably for the first time I feel like we have the top-level talent across the board position by position on both sides of the ball,” Sarkisian said this week to reporters. “But, yet, we also have the depth behind it across the board.”
With that statement, Sark has put a lot pressure on himself. But he is a believer in pressure creates iron with his team. The best roster should return the best results. It is hard being set up at almost every position. Only a few teams have done it consistently. Texas has been close, but not quite at that upper, upper level.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning is probably the key to this alignment. Sark knew he would take some time to mold, if for no other reason the relative weak competition he had at a private school in Louisiana.
Sarkisian talking about practice #7 — sounds like things went well this morning.
“Seven practices in, I really like where we’re at.” @ontexasfootballpic.twitter.com/j92nhXoNGm
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) March 31, 2026
Right or wrong, Sark has built up Arch slowly. He learned for two years behind Quinn Ewers. He learned even in his first year as starter, when the offense around him was relatively pedestrian. Manning started the season on the run and looked lost. But as the game slowed down, Arch improved and by the time he faced the Aggies and Michigan, he looked like a star.
But like every Longhorns fan, Sark saw the growth Manning displayed last season and realizes this might be the one season he has a fully realized superstar Manning under center.
Texas has had success in the transfer portal in the past, but Sark and his staff hit on big names this season. Big names that should help Manning be the Heisman Trophy calibre QB he seems destined to be.
UT added wide receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn), arguably the top player in the transfer portal this year. Running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) to bolster a position that struggled historically in 2025.
The offensive line has been beefed up with four players, including Laurence Seymore (WKU), who won an appeal for an extra year of eligibility. Texas signed one of the best linebackers in the nation in Rasheem Biles (Pitt).
Add to that that the 2025 recruiting class that was ranked No. 1 in the nation is now either redshirt freshman and sophomores this season. That’s a big source of the “depth” Sark discussed.
Sarkisian is right. This is the best roster in his tenure. Longhorns fans are hoping he can win it all with it.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Sarkisian makes shocking admission about Texas football’s 2026 roster
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