Could Texas Football’s Latest INJURY Force the Longhorns to Hit the Portal?

Could Texas Football’s Latest Injury Force the Longhorns to Hit the Portal?

Injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of football, and they can have a profound impact on a team’s performance, particularly for college programs like the Texas Longhorns. The Texas Longhorns, one of the most storied and powerful programs in college football, have experienced their share of injury woes over the years. However, the 2025 season might present an even bigger challenge as the team faces a potentially significant injury that could force them to make some tough decisions. As the Longhorns work to build a national championship-contending squad, could this injury derail their plans and force Texas to dip into the transfer portal in search of immediate reinforcements?

In this article, we will break down the impact of the latest injury that has plagued the Texas Longhorns, how it could affect the team’s depth chart, and whether or not Texas will need to look to the portal to bolster their roster for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The Injury That Could Change Everything

The Texas Longhorns have been hit hard by a recent injury to one of their star players, Xavier Young, a standout wide receiver who had been expected to play a crucial role in the team’s offensive scheme this year. Young, a junior, had emerged as a top target for quarterback Arch Manning and was expected to be a key piece in Texas’ high-powered passing game. Standing at 6’3″ and possessing blazing speed and exceptional ball-tracking ability, Young was projected to be one of the top playmakers in the Big 12.

However, just days before the start of the 2025 season, Young suffered a significant injury during practice. The injury, which has been confirmed to be a torn ACL, will likely sideline him for the entire season. For a program like Texas, which was looking to contend for the Big 12 championship and beyond, losing a player of Young’s caliber at this stage is a devastating blow.

This injury has left Texas with a significant void in their wide receiver corps. While the Longhorns do have some talented receivers on the roster, none are quite like Young, who brought a rare combination of speed, size, and athleticism to the field. His absence could not only hurt the offense’s ability to stretch the field but also put additional pressure on other playmakers to step up and perform.

How Texas Could Cope with the Loss

While the loss of Xavier Young is certainly a tough pill to swallow for the Longhorns, Texas is not without options. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has built a reputation for developing high-powered offenses, and he will likely rely on the depth of his receiving corps and his quarterback, Arch Manning, to fill the gap left by Young’s injury.

1. Existing Talent on the Roster

Texas has a number of talented wide receivers who could step into more prominent roles following Young’s injury. Junior Malik Washington and sophomore Jordan Simmons have both shown flashes of brilliance during their time at Texas and could be ready to take on more responsibility in the absence of Young. Washington, a 6’2″ receiver with excellent hands and strong route-running ability, has the potential to be a go-to target for Manning. Simmons, on the other hand, has been praised for his explosive speed and ability to make big plays down the field.

Additionally, Texas has Isaiah Neyland, a talented redshirt freshman who has drawn praise for his physicality and ability to make contested catches. While he’s still unproven at the collegiate level, the coaching staff is optimistic that he can develop into a key contributor. The Longhorns also have Austin Brown, a highly regarded freshman wide receiver who, if he can make an immediate impact, could step into a significant role.

With a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, Texas will certainly have options. However, no one on the roster at the moment possesses the unique skill set of Xavier Young, and that could leave the Longhorns needing to adapt their offense in order to make up for his absence.

2. Utilizing the Tight End Position

In the wake of Young’s injury, Sarkisian might choose to incorporate his tight ends more heavily into the offense. The Longhorns have several capable tight ends on the roster, including Evan King, who has shown the ability to create mismatches in the passing game due to his size and athleticism. King, a 6’5″, 250-pound senior, has the versatility to line up both on the line and in the slot, creating difficult matchups for opposing defenses. With Texas lacking a clear replacement for Young, Sarkisian could decide to use King as a primary target in the passing game, creating a more balanced attack that can still stretch the field vertically.

Additionally, Jake Carter and Chris Miller, two highly rated incoming freshmen, could see an uptick in their roles as well. If Sarkisian decides to run more two-tight-end sets or utilize his tight ends in different ways, these players could provide valuable contributions.

While the tight end position might not fully replace what Young brought to the table in terms of speed and dynamic playmaking, it can provide a reliable option for Manning in the passing game, especially in short-to-intermediate routes and red-zone situations.

3. Adjusting Offensive Scheme

The loss of Young will undoubtedly force Steve Sarkisian to adjust his offensive scheme. Texas is known for running an uptempo offense that stretches the field and takes deep shots down the field. Without Young, Sarkisian may have to adjust his playcalling to focus more on the short-to-medium passing game, as well as utilizing running backs more in the passing attack.

With running backs like Bijan Robinson (who has since moved to the NFL) and Roschon Johnson no longer on the roster, Texas will need to rely on emerging talents like Jaydon Blue and Keilan Robinson to provide balance to the offense. The Longhorns could see a greater emphasis on screens, swing passes, and checkdowns, with Manning getting the ball out quickly to his playmakers in space. While these adjustments may not be ideal in terms of maximizing the offense’s explosive potential, they can help the team stay competitive while the receiving corps develops further.

The Transfer Portal: A Possible Lifeline?

Despite the internal depth Texas has at wide receiver, the reality is that replacing Xavier Young’s production will not be easy. His skill set was rare, and the Longhorns may find themselves in a position where they need to find an experienced and proven player through the transfer portal.

In recent years, the transfer portal has become a critical resource for college football teams looking to fill gaps in their roster. Texas has already benefited from the portal in the past, bringing in players like Casey Thompson and Isaiah Neyland, who have helped the team achieve success. In this case, Sarkisian may look to the portal again, especially if none of the current receivers are able to step up and provide the dynamic playmaking ability that Young did.

Some potential options in the portal could include players who have performed well at other schools but are seeking a new opportunity to showcase their talent on a bigger stage. Players like Jaxson Smith-Njigba from Ohio State or Marvin Mims from Oklahoma could both be viable targets for Texas if they decide to test the waters of the portal.

Additionally, the portal might provide Texas with the chance to bring in another player with experience in a system similar to Sarkisian’s, someone who could quickly adjust and contribute. The transfer portal has allowed teams to plug in immediate starters, and Texas may look to this route to address the receiver position, particularly if their in-house options are unable to make an immediate impact.