The Texas Longhorns offensive line is shaping up as the most consequential storyline for the offense before kickoff against Texas State. Arch Manning’s protection hinges less on a single name than on whether Texas can find and keep the right five linemen together long enough to act as one unit.
The concern is immediate because Trevor Goosby’s bone bruise will cost the line valuable practice reps in August, and backups like Andrew Cojoe have been taking first‑team reps in his absence. Reporting from Texas Longhorns On SI frames the core issue as roster cohesion rather than lack of individual talent.
Key Takeaways
- The projected five starters are not yet locked and cohesion is the main risk to maintaining reliable protection for Arch Manning.
- Trevor Goosby was diagnosed with a bone bruise and is likely to miss only a few weeks, while Andrew Cojoe has been taking consistent first‑team reps at left tackle.
- Connor Robertson offers veteran stability at center, and his relationship with Manning is a notable continuity point for the offense.
- Transfers Laurence Seymore and Melvin Siani bring strong low‑sack resumes but need group chemistry with returning pieces to replicate that success.
Texas Longhorns offensive line breakdown
Left tackle was projected to be Trevor Goosby before his bone bruise diagnosis, and that absence eats into the unit’s limited time to practice as a group. Andrew Cojoe has taken consistent first‑team reps at left tackle while Goosby rehabs, which gives Texas a short‑term replacement but not the same continuity.
At left guard, Western Kentucky transfer Laurence Seymore brings a clear pass‑protection profile, having allowed one sack and eight quarterback pressures last season. That resume makes him an attractive candidate to stabilize interior pass protection immediately.
Center is a tidy bit of continuity; Connor Robertson started taking over midseason last year and allowed zero sacks and zero quarterback hits in the eight games he played after stepping in against Kentucky. He’s also a fifth‑year player with a close relationship to Manning that coaches value in the quarterback‑center exchange.
Brandon Baker is expected to move to right guard after starting 13 games at right tackle last season. He committed a team‑high 12 penalties last year but did not allow a sack, which frames his season ahead as one of detail work more than pass‑rush vulnerability.
Wake Forest transfer Melvin Siani projects at right tackle and, like Seymore, arrives with a clean pass‑protection stat line: zero sacks and nine pressures allowed last season. That pairing of transfers and returners gives Texas talent across the five positions, but assembling them in game reps remains the issue.
Position competition and immediate questions
The lineup combines position changes, transfers and returning players, which is useful for depth but complicates early‑season chemistry. Any rotation or late‑arriving starter will shorten the time the five must spend building shared techniques, calls, and slide protections.
Goosby’s short absence matters less for talent evaluation than for the timing of practice reps ahead of Texas State. If Cojoe settles in and Goosby returns quickly, the staff still must account for how reps lost in August affect cohesion versus SEC opponents who will bring faster, more consistent pass rushes.
Offensive line experience and last season context
| Player | Sacks allowed | Pressures allowed | Penalties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurence Seymore | 1 sack | 8 pressures | — | Transfer from Western Kentucky with strong pass‑protection resume |
| Connor Robertson | 0 sacks | 0 QB hits | — | Fifth‑year center; allowed no sacks or QB hits in eight games after taking over |
| Brandon Baker | 0 sacks | — | 12 penalties | Shifting from right tackle to right guard; clean in pass rush but needs penalty cleanup |
| Melvin Siani | 0 sacks | 9 pressures | — | Transfer from Wake Forest projected at right tackle with a low‑pressure year |
| Trevor Goosby / Andrew Cojoe | — | — | — | Goosby sidelined by bone bruise; Cojoe taking first‑team reps at left tackle |
How early cohesion affects the opening stretch
Texas State is the first exam and will reveal whether the offensive line’s best combination is identifiable under game conditions. The staff has to balance opening‑week performance needs with the broader goal of preserving protection patterns heading into SEC play.
If the Longhorns can assemble the projected five quickly, the transfers’ low sack histories suggest the unit can limit pressures. If the group must be patched repeatedly, Arch Manning’s previous 23‑sack season remains a cautionary benchmark the offense wants to avoid.
SEC and CFP implications tied to the offensive line
The timeline to solidify the starting five matters for Texas’ SEC run more than any single preseason projection. Early losses of practice time or persistent reshuffling could translate into more pressure on Manning once conference opponents increase tempo and edge threats.
From a roster construction standpoint, the mix of transfers and internal moves signals where recruiting and depth‑building will focus: interior consistency and penalty discipline. The sooner the five can operate as a unit, the clearer Texas’ path will be for sustained offensive production and a realistic CFP push.
The analysis above draws on the reporting linked earlier.
