Steve Sarkisian returns for his sixth season after Texas finished 10-3 overall and 6-2 in SEC play in 2025, including a Citrus Bowl victory. Kyle Flood returns as offensive coordinator, and Arch Manning returns at quarterback. Ryan Wingo returns after leading Texas in receiving last season, while Auburn transfer Cam Coleman joins the receiving corps alongside Emmett Mosley. The backfield adds transfers Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown after Quintrevion Wisner transfers to Florida State. Update (Oct. 14): RB Hollywood Smothers has returned to action following an early-season injury, while Raleek Brown and freshman Derrek Cooper also contribute to the backfield rotation. The offensive line returns Trevor Goosby, Connor Robertson, and Brandon Baker, while Wake Forest transfer Melvin Siani joins the group.

Will Muschamp takes over as defensive coordinator after serving as a Georgia analyst last season. Texas returns three of its top eleven tacklers from last season following several departures to the NFL and transfer portal. Leading tackler Jelani McDonald returns in the secondary, along with Graceson Littleton, and Rutgers transfer Bo Mascoe joins the defensive backfield. Hero Kanu, Colin Simmons, Maraad Watson, and Alex January return along the defensive front, while Arkansas transfer Ian Geffrard joins the group. Brad Spence returns in the linebacker corps, which also adds Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles, Florida State transfer Justin Cryer, and five-star freshman Tyler Atkinson. The team released Ty’Anthony Smith on August 22.

Jeff Banks returns as special teams coordinator, and Ryan Niblett returns to the return game after returning two punts for touchdowns last season. Florida State transfer Mac Chiumento joins the program at punter after Jack Bouwmeester left, while Memphis transfer Gianni Spetic takes over at placekicker after Mason Shipley left. Freshmen Jake Collett and Mikey Bukauskas also join the specialist group.

Texas entered 2026 with continuity at quarterback and several returning starters on both sides of the ball, while adding transfers at running back, receiver, linebacker, and in the secondary. Muschamp takes over the defense, while new specialists handle placekicking and punting. Update (Oct. 14): The Longhorns are 4-1 following a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma on October 10. Despite their strong start, offensive inconsistency and difficulty sustaining drives have been concerns as Texas moves deeper into SEC play.