The Auburn Tigers lost a potential All-World wideout who may just put the Texas Longhorns offense over the top with Arch Manning under center: Phenix City product Cam Coleman. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford predicts Texas to have the No. 1 explosive offense during the 2026 College Football season, with the former star Central Red Devil receiver gracing Forty Acres with a deep-ball threat that Manning was missing in 2025.
Crawford believes that the thing that could potentially hold the Longhorns attack back this coming fall is the same thing that kept the Tigers back for arguably the entire 2020s so far, the offensive trenches.
"Texas added Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman along with running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) to help reshape the offense for 2026. The Longhorns won bidding battles for Coleman and Smothers, who combined for 12 touchdowns at their previous stops last season," Crawford wrote.
"Arch Manning is coming off the best outing of his career after outdueling Michigan's Bryce Underwood in the Citrus Bowl, a postseason showing that mirrored the second-half surge that accelerated his development. If Manning takes another step, this Texas offense could rival the best of the Sarkisian era on the Forty Acres -- a stretch that already includes consecutive CFP semifinal appearances.
"Like other elite programs that are a grenade-pin pull away from another level in 2026, everything starts up front for Texas. The Longhorns have reloaded with a bevy of highly rated portal additions who will flourish only if Manning has time to operate. If Texas controls the line of scrimmage, the pieces are in place for this SEC power to stress opposing defenses behind elite play-caller Steve Sarkisian and a rising star at quarterback."
Cam Coleman may continue to be held back in SEC play by OL play
The Great Cam Coleman tragedy would be Texas' offense holding not only him back, but Manning as well. The Longhorns lost a lot of talent in the 2025 NFL draft, and that'll be the case again between the tackles with DJ Campbell being a likely day two pick this April.
Crawford's colleague, CBS Sports' Carter Bahns, is skeptical about Wake Forest Demon Deacon transfer guard Melvin Siani being the only notable addition during the January window.
"Given the Longhorns' aggressive approach at other positions -- and their flawless execution in a highly successful cycle -- it was somewhat surprising that they were only involved with one highly regarded lineman. Perhaps Siani's arrival, combined with another year of development from Trevor Goosby, Brandon Baker and Connor Robertson, will be enough to spark improvement and fill the remaining gap on a championship-caliber roster," Bahns wrote.
Of all schools, one in Central Texas that operates as the Lone Star State's flagship program should understand that trenches must be stocked to win gridiron wars. Steve Sarkisian may have brought on elite skill-position talents like Coleman, but if he didn't fortify the offensive line enough to make it matter, his time in Austin could be coming to its logical end soon.
You just can't waste Manning and Coleman in your offense. You just can't.