A recent Talk Around Towns episode spawned an idea: After a pair of successful OV weekends, I reviewed the roster to assess how many high school players the Coogs will target.
And at what positions will they look to upgrade via the portal next spring?
Quarterback
The future belongs to Keisean Henderson. I would expect the starting job to be his in 2027, which is not exactly breaking news. The room will be very young after Conner Weigman’s departure. Current 2027 commit Braden Baker should add to the youth, so the staff will be done with high school players at the position.
I expected the staff to bring in a veteran in the portal this past cycle, but they signed Syracuse transfer Luke Carney, who has had few collegiate snaps. Adding an experienced player will be tricky, as most QB transfers expect to start, but bringing in someone to push Henderson and create healthy competition is ideal.
Incoming: Braden Baker
Player to monitor: N/A
Prediction: Look to add an experienced player in the portal to a young room.
Running Back
Makhi Hughes will be moving on, very likely to the NFL, which will create an opportunity for someone to take the reins. Re’Shaun Sanford and DJ Butler will likely be the most experienced backs on the roster. Incoming freshmen John Hebert and Paris Melvin will be looking to push for carries, too, but someone must lead the way in 2027.
The staff already has a commitment from KJ Porter in the 2027 class, but Landen Williams-Callis is the big wildcard here. He’s the kind of prospect that would immediately see the field in 2027. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the staff go into the portal for a big-bodied veteran, but then again, adding two backs in the 2027 class already makes for a crowded room.
Incoming: KJ Porter
Players to monitor: Landen Williams-Callis (Randle HS)
Prediction: Keep swinging big for LWC. Potentially add a veteran in the portal for depth.
Wide Receiver
Amare Thomas, Trent Walker, and Harvey Broussard will all be moving on after the 2026 season. That would likely mean the top two pass catchers on the team, Thomas and Walker, will need to be replaced. I believe that will come from the depth that the staff has been building.
I think Muizz Tounkara, Koby Young, and Tyson Turner will look to step into featured roles in 2027 (each will play a significant role in 2026). Even after Josiah Morgan flipped to Baylor, the 2027 class has at least three wide receiver commits. The staff is likely done recruiting for the position if things stick. Outside of the opportunity to add an elite pass catcher like Amare or Walker in the portal, I don’t expect any adds there either.
Incoming: Braylon Lane, Gary Burney Jr, Mo Poko, Marcus Watson Jr (ATH – DB or WR)
Players to monitor: N/A
Prediction: No more high school additions. Maybe add a quality pass catcher in the portal, but I think the talent in-house develops.
Tight End
Outside of Luke McGary, the entire room will be returning for the 2027 season. I expect Patrick Overmyer to have a big season in 2026 and return as the number one option at the position. He will be critical for Keisean’s development. Kaleb Thomas, Turtle Frederick, and Wyatt Herbel fill out the depth.
I think Skoop Martin has a chance to be a very good player early, and he could push the veterans in the room for playing time. Jacory Thurman is another young player who redshirted this past season. This room is in a pretty good spot, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see things stay put.
Incoming: N/A
Player to monitor: Landon Bogany, Lewisville
Prediction: Maybe one high school or transfer player will be brought in.
Offensive Line
I’d predict that center Anthony Boswell is the lone returning starter on the offensive line heading into the 2027 season. In-house, Northwestern transfer Hayden Wright is someone who could compete for one of the two tackle positions. Players like RJ Lee, Snacks McClain, Demetris Dean, and Sean Terrell will be entering their third or fourth season in the program and could be pushing to get on the field.
I think this upcoming cycle will be another year of adding in the portal for the offensive line. It’s hard to predict what the staff has in some of the younger players because their development is happening behind the scenes at the moment. My expectation is one more cycle of adding veterans as a bridge.
Incoming: Samuel Thiergood, Thomas Muiruri
Players to monitor: Aidan Ray, Plano West
Prediction: Add another commit or two to the 2027 class. Look for 2-3 starters in the portal.
