Inside the Program: Grading Texas’ Portal Class

Let’s grade each room on if Texas hit or missed the mark.

[Sign up for Inside Texas for $1! Get the latest on the NCAA Transfer Portal HERE]

Shop Academy Sports + Outdoors for top brands and low prices, with FREE in-store pickup and same-day delivery! Visit https://www.academy.com/

The video, presented by Joe Cook and Eric Nahlin on “Inside the Program” from Academy Sports and Outdoors, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Texas Longhorns football team’s recent transfer portal activity and roster building. The hosts break down each position group’s upgrades, addressing both strengths and weaknesses as the team prepares for the upcoming season. They highlight key transfers, evaluate the impact on the team’s offensive and defensive schemes, and assess how well Texas has filled its roster needs through the portal.

Offensively, Texas has bolstered the quarterback room with MJ Morris, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, mainly to provide competition and depth rather than an immediate starter. The running back position saw notable upgrades with the additions of Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, aiming to fit a more outside zone, big-play running style. Wide receiver acquisitions, especially Cam Coleman, were praised as excellent additions that enhance the offense’s explosiveness. A significant positive is the addition of a top-tier blocking tight end, Michael Masunas, filling a long-standing gap in the offense that coach Sarkeesian has struggled with.

However, the offensive line remains a major concern. Despite some additions, the group is graded poorly due to lack of impact starters and failure to secure a dominant interior lineman, which leaves questions about the team’s ability to run a physical, downhill style. This issue casts a shadow over the offense’s overall potential and forces the coaching staff to rely more on scheme and skill positions.

Defensively, the Longhorns have significantly improved their interior defensive line by adding SEC-caliber nose tackles, which shore up depth and talent in the middle. The edge rushers remain largely intact with good retention, and linebacker additions bring athleticism and playmaking ability, though some questions remain about numbers and depth. The secondary is well-stocked with returning experienced players and a high-profile cornerback transfer, Bo Mascoe, who could immediately contribute. Specialists are experienced and reliable, which removes some uncertainty for next season.

Overall, the team’s transfer portal strategy shows clear strengths on defense and skill positions, but a glaring weakness in offensive line recruiting tempers optimism. The Longhorns are building around a more outside zone, big-play offensive scheme, and a defense that aims to be aggressive and physical but might lack depth in some areas.

Join Inside Texas for Market-Leading Texas Longhorns Football coverage!

InsideTexas.com provides just what passionate Texas fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Longhorns athletics and recruiting.

Join the best Texas fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:

• Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love
• Immediate access to any Longhorns break news
• Exclusive insider practice reports and year-round team info as well as board Q&A’s with IT staff
• High level discourse with the most passionate and informed Longhorns fans across multiple board forums.
• Market leading team analysis for those who are looking to increase their understanding of Steve Sarkisian and Will Muschamp’s preferred concepts
• So much more!

SIGN UP and ensure no Longhorns information gets by you: Join Inside Texas community today!

Talk about this story and many more with fellow Longhorn diehards on the Members Only forum.