Two weeks out from the season opener, the Texas Longhorns second scrimmage delivered actionable answers on health, depth and who is trending toward early playing time. The week leading into the workout included a knee bone bruise to left tackle Trevor Goosby and the dismissal of linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith, creating immediate storyline implications for the staff.
Steve Sarkisian addressed the group after live periods and outlined what stood out during the work, including Arch Manning finishing with two touchdown passes and a handful of playmakers showing up in live action as the staff tightens its 53-man thinking, as reported by Texas Longhorns On SI.
Key Takeaways
- Arch Manning threw two touchdown passes and played roughly 50 snaps but drew a coach’s critique for a sluggish start.
- Emmett Mosley continued to emerge as a top target with two touchdowns in the live period.
- No major injuries were reported during the scrimmage despite Goosby’s knee bone bruise earlier in the week.
- Young linebackers made game-impacting plays while Justin Cryer looks poised to start at the MIKE.
Arch Manning progress in Texas Longhorns second scrimmage
Sarkisian’s read on Arch Manning was balanced: the quarterback finished the session strong but was “a little bit inefficient” at the outset. Manning pushed the ball late, connecting on touchdown throws to Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley, and the staff logged roughly 50 snaps for him in the live period.
The pattern matters: continued reps under pressure with positive finishes build confidence, but the coaching staff will press for cleaner early‑down execution over the next two weeks. Manning’s chemistry with Mosley and Wingo in live periods gives the staff tangible passing-game pieces to feature schematically, even while they refine pre-snap reads and pocket mechanics.
Linebacker room reshaped after Ty’Anthony Smith dismissal
Ty’Anthony Smith’s dismissal forces a depth evaluation, and the scrimmage produced encouraging signals from younger pieces. True freshman Kosi Okpala returned an interception for a touchdown in the live work, and freshman Tyler Atkinson is being counted on for rotational snaps.
Sarkisian’s praise for Justin Cryer paints a clear projection: Cryer is trending toward the MIKE-starting role after consistent fall-camp performance. The staff will still need to manage growing pains, but early indicators suggest the drop-off in production after Smith’s exit should be manageable.
Left tackle status and offensive line availability
Trevor Goosby’s knee bone bruise is an immediate availability concern given his role protecting the blind side, but Sarkisian reported no major scrimmage injuries on the day. That keeps the group from losing further continuity late in camp.
With the opener two weeks away, the staff will monitor Goosby’s recovery while prioritizing line reps for backups. The Longhorns cannot afford a sudden erosion of depth up front against a Texas State defense that will test tackle mobility and communication early.
Running game themes from the live periods
Texas plans to lean on Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown and Derrek Cooper as its primary ball carriers, and Sarkisian said he’s pleased with the intent and aggression shown in team run periods. The staff emphasized sustained physicality and scheme execution over flashy plays in this scrimmage.
Even without perfect execution, consistent team rushing lanes and backs who set up blocks were enough for coaches to feel better about a unit that needed to improve markedly from last season. Expect a multiple-back rotation early as the staff balances workload and evaluates which runner gives the most consistent downhill production.
Scrimmage roles and verified comparisons
| Position | Scrimmage Highlight | Camp implication |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Arch Manning threw two touchdown passes and played roughly 50 snaps. | Shows closing ability but needs cleaner starts to reduce turnovers. |
| Wide Receiver | Emmett Mosley caught two touchdown passes; Ryan Wingo and Jermaine Bishop Jr. also scored. | Mosley is pushing into the top-of-depth role while other targets rotate into scoring opportunities. |
| Linebacker | Kosi Okpala recorded an interception return for a touchdown after Ty’Anthony Smith’s dismissal; Justin Cryer has camp momentum. | Young players are eating snaps and Cryer projects as the likely MIKE starter for the opener. |
| Offensive Line | Trevor Goosby suffered a knee bone bruise earlier in the week but the scrimmage produced no major new injuries. | Goosby’s status will dictate depth usage and tackle reps leading into the season opener. |
Reporting from the primary coverage informed this breakdown and provided the coach quotes and play details that shaped our assessment of who will matter early for Texas.
SEC and CFP implications for Texas roster construction
The immediate implications from these live periods are roster construction and perception driven. Linebacker minutes and early-season availability at left tackle will inform the staff’s Week 1 depth chart and how aggressively coaches play matchups in early nonconference games.
On the recruiting and CFP fronts, showing internal solutions — freshmen making impact plays and a quarterback who can finish strong — matters. Demonstrating depth at key spots while avoiding new injuries helps Texas keep early CFP conversations realistic and gives the staff material to sell to recruits about opportunity and development.
