The Texas Players With the Most to Gain Against Texas State

All eyes will be on the Texas Longhorns to open the 2026 season as the program looks to right the wrongs from last season, and find a way back into the College Football Playoff in the season-long journey to return a national championship to Austin.

With an opening season game against the Sunbelt's Texas State Bobcats, the Longhorns will be looking to get off on the right foot before welcoming in the Ohio State Buckeyes the following week.

With the depth chart nearly finalized, a few spots could see rotations during the game, but the Longhorns have a few players who could dictate the order based off their performance in the opening game of the year.

Dylan Sikorski, Guard

Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Christian Jones (70) lines up for a play during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports

Laurence Seymore is on pace to be the starter against the Bobcats, but Sikorski has also gotten reps with the ones during fall camp, using a battle to push both parties, looking for one to establish themselves on a new look offensive line.

Sikorski is a swing interior player, capable of playing a guard or center role, proving to be a valuable depth piece for the grouping. He has plenty of experience, and with a looming matchup against the Buckeyes, who will come to Austin with one of the best defensive fronts in the country, so ironing out the best five will be key.

There is a window for Sikorski to make a move, but it comes to playing a clean game, and how Seymour does as well.

Kobe Black, Safety

Texas Longhorns defensive back Kobe Black (6) tries to make a tackle against Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin (9) in the first quarter at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Blakc and Derek Williams Jr. were in a heated position battle this fall, and while initially it looked like it was Williams' job to lose, Black was doing everything he could to earn the starting role. It appears that Williams will be the starter, but that isn't a solified guarantee every week, especially if the production isn't there against an opponent of the Bobcats' nature.

Black will surely get reps in week one, and if he can make the most of them, having two capable starters will never hurt a team, and could provide him with an opportunity to keep a rotation role, providing the Longhorns with fresh safeties during the game, and potentially a role change on the depth chart.

Jonah Williams, Safety

Discourse has always surrounded Williams, and as a prolific two-sport athlete, excelling in both would always be a struggle. After suffering an injury during the baseball season, many wondered how he would fair in football, and if it was time to quit one in favor of the other.

Williams responded with having one of his best camps since stepping on campus, often times turning heads multiple times during camp. While Jelani McDonald is the solidified starter, and will undoubtebly be a key piece of the defense, Williams is too talented to leave off the field.

If he can make the most of his reps, it gives the Longhorns more depth, and more options to feature Williams in different looks, and compile different parts of a puzzle to throw opposing offenses off of their play sheet.

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