Adam Loewy is one of the top personal injury lawyers in Austin. Adam is a proud graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and started his law firm in 2005. Adam helps people who have been injured in car crashes, slip and falls, dog bites, and other assorted ways. He is actively involved in every case he handles and is always available to talk or text. If you or a loved one has been injured, call the Loewy Law Firm today at (512) 280-0800.
I remember the day I bought my 2013 Ford Taurus SEL like it was yesterday. I was living in Detroit in late 2012 and had finally accepted an uncomfortable truth. My Ford Mustang convertible was perfect for Florida sunshine and completely useless during a Midwest winter. I walked into the dealership, spotted the Taurus sitting on the showroom floor, and immediately knew it was the one. Leather seats. Heated seats. SiriusXM. Chrome rims. A sunroof. It felt like a major life upgrade. I asked the salesman if there was another car on the lot with the same features, and when he said no, the decision was easy. That was my car. Buying straight off the showroom floor had me half-expecting Robin Leach to pop out for a “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” interview.
I loved that car. It was the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. It handled Michigan winters, Florida heat, and Texas traffic without blinking. Sure, there were occasional breakdowns, but it crossed the 200,000-mile mark a year ago and was still running strong. The problem was not reliability. The problem was life. Two boys playing sports made packing a smaller car for long drives to Dallas and Houston a chore. I was, and still am, in a relationship with a woman who lives in San Antonio, and spending hours in traffic on I-10 or Loop 1604 would have been far more comfortable with extra space. There was nothing wrong with the Taurus. It did its job. But I knew my life would be easier if I upgraded.
That is why I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee. More legroom to drive Max from Cedar Park to Pflugerville for soccer practice. More space for the kids in the second row. Room for bags, luggage, and gear without playing Tetris. The SUV removed stress from my daily routine.
That is how I view Steve Sarkisian’s decision to part ways with Pete Kwiatkowski and hire Will Muschamp. Was Kwiatkowski getting the job done? Absolutely. But Sarkisian needed an upgrade that made life easier as a head coach. Muschamp was not a luxury hire in Sarkisian’s eyes. He was a necessary one. If Sarkisian truly believes Muschamp raises the ceiling of this program, it is hard to fault the decision. We all make choices we believe will improve our lives, just like I did when I switched cars.
Sarkisian now needs to apply that same mindset when the transfer portal opens on January 2. There may be players on this roster who are adequate and doing their jobs. That cannot stop Texas from pursuing better. If there is a clear upgrade available, Sarkisian should not hesitate. Walk into the showroom, ask if there is anything better on the lot, and if the answer is yes, drive it home. At this point, comfort cannot outweigh progress. If Sarkisian believes an addition makes the ride smoother, the ceiling higher, and the destination clearer, the decision should already be made.
Keep that momentum going.
“One thing that really helps me with Will is his head coaching experience, having been in this conference at Florida and at South Carolina,” Sarkisian said. “His experience of being under Coach Saban, speaking the same language, where I feel very comfortable with Will being the head coach of that defense.
“That allows me and frees me up a little bit more time from an offensive perspective. So instead of robbing Peter to pay Paul, I’m able to let him go do his thing on defense and really be a great leader over there and head coach over there, which allows me to get back to doing the things that I believe and I’m really good at.
“And so I looked at a lot of different variables of what would be in the best interest of our organization. And the idea that I could get a guy the caliber of Will Muschamp to come in here, not only his defensive pedigree, but the leadership, the head coaching experience, it was too good of a fit to pass up.”
There may be other areas too good to pass up when the transfer portal opens.
Let’s examine each position and assess the team’s needs. If you have a differing opinion, give me your scale in the comments.
Here is the “Need Level” scale:
• 5 – Critical Need
• 4 – High Need
• 3 – Moderate Need
• 2 – Low Need
• 1 – No Need
Quarterback
This was a position Sarkisian never entertained addressing through the transfer portal until 2025. Sarkisian was committed to developing the talent in that room. However, the lack of growth from Trey Owens led to Sarkisian’s decision to acquire Matthew Caldwell during the spring. Once the season started, KJ Lacey passed Owens on the depth chart, and Arch Manning’s backup in the spring was a fourth-string player who was not traveling to road games. Texas is slated to enter 2026 with Manning as the No. 1 starter, followed by a backup battle between Lacey and Dia Bell.
I would love for Lacey to play the majority of the bowl game so Sarkisian can get a better understanding of what he has at the backup position heading into 2026. I also think it would be risky to bring in a transfer backup and risk Lacey believing he will never get the opportunity to be the No. 2 quarterback at Texas.
Longhorn Need: 2
Running Backs
The offensive line was an issue throughout most of this season, so I am not going to put all the blame for the ineffective ground game on the running backs. There were several occasions when it appeared a running back met a defensive lineman in the backfield immediately after the snap. That said, we rarely saw elusiveness or breakaway speed. We rarely saw running backs make defenders miss and create explosive plays. It was arguably the most pedestrian running back season we have seen under Sarkisian.
The question is not whether Texas should pursue a running back in the portal. The question is how many. Texas should acquire at least two proven running backs. There is nothing wrong with adding depth at a position of need, and Texas needs as many capable running backs as possible.
Longhorn Need: 5
Offensive Line
Texas prided itself on developing offensive linemen and rarely going to the portal to address this position. The staff was so confident in the 2025 group that it passed on signing Emmanuel Pregnon because it believed he was not worth the price. Pregnon went on to earn first-team All-SEC honors this season, while Texas largely hung its hat on Trevor Goosby, Brandon Baker’s development, and not much else. The good news is Texas should not make that same mistake again.
Texas needs as many offensive linemen as possible. The Longhorns must stack that room with the same aggressiveness they typically apply to the defensive line. No stone should be left unturned in the search for linemen who can better protect Arch Manning, create running lanes, and provide depth. Interior help is the biggest need, but anyone who can compete for a starting spot would be a major upgrade. Take at least four players from the portal and let the best men win.
Longhorn Need: 5
Receivers
This is an interesting group because Sarkisian has traditionally attacked the portal and found several gems, including AD Mitchell, Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond, and Silas Bolden. However, Texas signed only one receiver before the 2025 season, Emmett Mosley V. The Longhorns were banking on the development of Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone. Mosley was limited early due to injury, while Wingo began to blossom later in the year. While it would have been nice to see more production, it is hard to judge this group harshly when Manning threw intermittently to start the season and the offensive line did not provide consistent protection.
If Texas can add speed through the portal, it should absolutely pursue it. Texas needs a replacement for DeAndre Moore, and speed helps anywhere. I like this room, and adding competition would not hurt.
Longhorn Need: 2
Tight Ends
This position hinges on whether Jack Endries decides to enter the NFL Draft. Endries was heavily leaning toward skipping his senior season and pursuing an NFL career earlier this week. It felt like a done deal until his meeting with Sarkisian. After that conversation, Endries chose to play in the bowl game and postpone his decision until after the season. That suggests he is looking for a reason to stay in Austin.
I love the upside of Emaree Winston and Jordan Washington. If the Endries we saw against Texas A&M is a sign of things to come, Texas could be fine without additions. Still, adding a starter to compete for the No. 1 spot would strengthen the room.
Longhorn Need: 2
Defensive Line
This group will be fascinating under Muschamp, who must fill the room with players he believes fit his system. Colin Simmons should look like a monster in this defense. Next season could be a breakout year for Justus Terry and Lance Jackson. However, Hero Kanu has yet to announce whether he will enter the NFL Draft or return. Muschamp must also decide whether the remaining interior defensive linemen are good enough or if upgrades are necessary.
Sarkisian may not say he hired Muschamp to get past Georgia, but we understand Texas must improve up front to clear that hurdle, even if it comes in the SEC Championship Game. Texas is young on that side of the ball and could use veteran bodies with a challenging 2026 schedule ahead.
Longhorn Need: 3
Linebackers
Who is left in that room? We are at the point where Marshall Landwehr might see significant playing time against Michigan. That is not a knock on Landwehr. He was outstanding on special teams this season, and it is cool to see a former walk-on who earned a scholarship finish his career on a high note. Respectfully, he is not Anthony Hill or Liona Lefau.
I love Ty’Anthony Smith’s upside and have high hopes for Bo Barnes, but there simply are not enough bodies. After the offensive line, this might be the second most critical position to address in the portal.
Longhorn Need: 5
Defensive Backs
Texas is losing Malik Muhammad, Michael Taaffe, Jelani McDonald, and Jaylon Guilbeau. While that is not the same as losing Jahdae Barron to the NFL Draft, those were veterans who made meaningful contributions. With Muschamp focusing on the secondary and Johnny Nansen handling linebackers, it will be interesting to see which defensive backs catch Muschamp’s eye.
There is young talent returning, but the key word is young. Ketch has consistently pointed out how many upperclassmen will be on next year’s roster. Texas may have struck gold with Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton, but it still needs players who can add silver to the investment portfolio, assuming you follow investments.
Longhorn Need: 3
Special Teams
Long snapper Lance St-Louis, kicker Bert Auburn, and punter Jack Bouwmeester are all seniors. Jeff Banks does not need an excuse to grab a specialist from the portal, and I cannot fault him here. Texas needs veterans at these critical positions.
Longhorn Need: 5
