Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is looking for depth at the cornerback and “star” positions to avoid leaning so heavily on his starters, according to comments reported by Burnt Orange Nation. Through seven games this season, the Longhorns have relied on a core group of seven players—Justin Cryer, Rasheem Biles, Jelani McDonald, Graceson Littleton, Kade Phillips, and Bo Mascoe—who are the only defensive players to exceed 400 snaps.
For Texas, the goal is to find reliable backups who can guard and cover opponents, allowing the staff to move veteran Bo Mascoe into the star role to add more size to the interior of the secondary.
The Starter Burden and the Search for Depth
The current snap distribution reveals a stark divide between the starters and the reserves. While the grueling Texas heat has subsided, the physical toll remains. Sarkisian admitted on Monday that the program is still struggling to find the necessary depth at corner and star.
The path to this depth is complicated by a mix of injuries and developmental curves. Senior safety Kobe Black, who starts alongside Jelani McDonald, missed games against UTSA and Ole Miss. While Black is not on this week’s injury report, his full return is viewed as a critical step in balancing the secondary’s workload.
Developmental Hurdles for Five-Star Talent
One of the most notable absences from the defensive rotation is Jonah Williams. A consensus five-star prospect from the 2025 class, Williams has shown flashes of potential during preseason camp but has remained largely sidelined during the regular season. He has not recorded a single defensive snap beyond the two non-conference games against overmatched opponents.
Williams has found a home on special teams, contributing nearly 90 snaps on kick coverage and return units. However, his lack of defensive playing time is partly a result of the high performance of Jelani McDonald. As the team leader on the back end, McDonald has proven too valuable to remove from the field, leaving little room for a young prospect to earn reps in high-stakes SEC play.
The Trust Gap at Cornerback
The struggle to find depth is most evident in the lack of trust in the current backup options. Senior cornerback Warren Roberson, a veteran special teams contributor, has fallen out of favor with coordinator Jeff Banks. This decline is attributed to persistent penalty issues and high-profile coverage lapses.
Roberson’s recent performance highlights the risk the coaching staff fears:
- Against Ole Miss, Roberson played a season-low three snaps after allowing a 36-yard gain to Deuce Alexander.
- Against Ohio State, he was beaten on a double move by Jeremiah Smith for a 43-yard gain.
- Pro Football Focus data shows Roberson has allowed eight completions on 12 targets, accounting for 122 yards.
Because of these mistakes, the staff has been hesitant to play Roberson, which in turn prevents Bo Mascoe from moving inside to the star position. To make that move, the Longhorns need to trust freshman Smoke Matthews. Matthews is only now beginning to earn that trust, having seen his first snaps on both coverage units since the season opener.
Injuries and Tight Game Scores Limit Backup Playing Time
The depth chart has been further thinned by the absence of junior Xavier Filsaime. Originally anticipated as the backup to Graceson Littleton, Filsaime moved from safety during the offseason but has spent much of the year rehabilitating shoulder surgery. He wore a harness during preseason camp and has yet to play a single snap in the 2026 season.
Beyond personnel, the nature of the games has hindered the development of the second string. Texas has struggled to secure blowout victories, meaning the starters rarely get a reprieve.
Sometimes the games dictate when we can roll guys in there more. We haven’t had that luxury — we’ve been in so many tight games this year, but we’re going to have to find a way and a time to get some of these guys in there.
Sarkisian said regarding the difficulty of integrating backups into a tight game script.
The stakes are clear: if Texas cannot find “more bodies that can guard people,” they remain one injury away from a defensive crisis.
Sarkisian noted that the team simply cannot afford to rely on a static group of five players for the duration of every game.
