As the Longhornsstare down a bowl game against Michigan at the end of the month, at least some of the attention has turned to the transfer portal. Six Longhorns have decided to hit the portal, and with the new scholarship requirements, it’s likely to be a busy portal cycle for the Longhorns. 

I have five position groups Texas will have to add true contributors at during the portal window: 

Running Back 

This is the clear and obvious one for the Longhorns. This was the first year during the Sarkisian era that Texas didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher. CJ Baxter and Jerrick Gibson have already made the decision to enter the portal and the jury is still out for Tre Wisner’s NFL decision, although he seems expected to return. Regardless, this is a position of need to pair with Wisner. This position will take shape during the next month or so, but Jahiem White(WVU) and Dylan Edwards(KSU) are early names to watch. 

Offensive Line 

Another one that doesn’t need much explaining. Now, if early reports turn out to be true, Trevor Goosby could be returning to Austin, which would be a massive boost to the OL. The help is mainly needed on the interior, with Cole Hutson and DJ Campbell out of eligibility. Nick Brooks, Nate Kibble and Andre Cojoe could step in, but it’s likely we see multiple new faces from the portal here. If the building blocks of Trevor Goosby at LT, Brandon Baker at RT and Connor Robertson at C are there, the Texas OL should be in good shape with some portal help. 

Linebacker

Anthony Hill Jr. has decided(predictably) to move on to the NFL, leaving something of a hole at LB moving into 2026. Liona Lefau and Tyanthony Smith will both be back, Bo Barnes has gotten rave reviews and Tyler Atkinson enters as the top LB recruit in the country. Despite that, getting some veteran help in the middle of the defense is likely on the list for the Longhorns. This is likely where you don’t need multiple bodies, but if the right guys are in the portal, I imagine Sarkisian will be aggressive to sure up a position that has been a strength in recent years.

Safety

This hinges on what players decide to jump into the portal or the draft. Jelani McDonald tops that list. Michael Taaffe is off to the NFL, so McDonald decided to return is very important for this unit, and it seems early returns are he will be back. Derek Williams is a name to watch, being a former starter, but coming off a year where he didn’t get the playing time he likely expected. If guys like Derek Williams and Jordan Johnson-Rubell enter the portal and McDonald leaves for the NFL, it’s likely Texas will be very active here. If they don’t, possibly adding one veteran piece would be enough. 

Special Teamers 

It’s likely the Longhorns are set to add another set of special teamers in the next month. Mason Shipley, Jack Bouwmeester and Lance St. Louis are all out of eligibility, meaning unless the Longhorns want true freshmen across the board on special teams, they will need to add a new slate. The options at kicker, punter and even long snapper are always plentiful in the portal, mainly from the Group of 5 level, like Mason Shipley. The Longhorns should have little to no trouble filling these gaps in their roster.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns’ portal needs: RB, OL and LB top positions to watch