The Texas Cam Coleman transfer portal signing gives the Longhorns and quarterback Arch Manning an exciting new weapon. Considered by some to be the best player in the portal, Coleman will easily be the WR1 in Texas, and like Manning, is hoping to rebound from a down year.
After limited play in 2024, Manning was supposed to be a Heisman favorite this season and lead Texas to the College Football Playoff, and possibly a national title. He managed to complete just 61.4% of passes for 243 yards per game. He lost games to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia, and despite beating Kentucky, managed a completion percentage of 44.4 in that game.
Despite the down year (at least compared to expectations), the addition of Coleman, along with the return of sophomore Ryan Wingo, should give Texas a great one-two punch, and remove any excuses for Manning at the very least. 2026 has to be a bounce-back year for the signal caller projected to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft before the season started. The transfer portal will have to be a source of even more talent before spring practice if Manning and the team are going to go all the way.
Coleman hauled in 56 receptions last season for 708 yards (12.6 ypc) and 5 touchdowns. He is a five-star prospect who will have a huge impact, but he isn’t the only transfer portal gem the Longhorns have brought in. The team lost its top three running backs to the portal, but replaced them with a couple of highly productive players from other schools.
Raleek Brown comes over from Arizona State after rushing for 1,141 yards on 186 carries (6.1 yards per carry). He is joined by Daylan “Hollywood” Smothers, who had 939 yards on 160 carries (5.9 yards per carry) with NC State last season. Both players had four games last season where they rushed for more than 100 yards. Brown had 22 carries for 255 yards and a touchdown in the Devils’ second-to-last game of the season versus Coach Prime and Colorado.
Texas still needs to address the offensive line in the portal to give their young phenom more time to throw the ball, but the additions of Brown and Smothers will mean he won’t have to air it out every game. A good rushing attack is a young quarterback’s best friend. When Manning does have to throw the ball, Wingo will be there, but more importantly, now Coleman will too. 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns is not an unrealistic expectation for the 6’3 receiver.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
