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As we continue breaking down the new faces on the Forty Acres, it’s time to talk about the biggest portal addition, at least in my eyes. Melvin Siani’s recruitment lasted all of 24 hours, with him jumping into the portal and signing with Texas all in the course of a day. It took Texas out of the Jordan Seaton sweepstakes and likely gave them a more long-term option at OT. Siani not only answers the minor question at RT, but also helps answer the bigger question on the interior.
2025 Stats: 12 starts(all at LT), 78.7 pass blocking grade, 67.7 run blocking grade(PFF)
Siani comes into Texas with the majority of his experience coming at left tackle, but did get seven starts at RT in 2024. That is where he will line up for the Longhorns, simply because Trevor Goosby is a top LT in the country in 2026. That means Brandon Baker, the starter at RT in 2025, is very likely to slide inside. Whether that is to right or left guard is unknown, but I’d expect RG is the preference.
As for what Siani brings to the table at RT, it’s truly elite pass blocking. According to PFF, he is roughly on par with Trevor Goosby in the pass protection department. Siani gave up no sacks and just 9 pressures in 2025, compared to 3 sacks and 15 pressures given up by Goosby. Now, Goosby and Texas did play more premier talent, Siani has shown remarkable ability in pass protection. That gives Arch Manning two anchors on either side of him, something that was not the case for much of 2025.
In the run game, Siani isn’t quite the player Goosby is but he is effective. Wake Forest was a run-heavy offense with Demond Claiborne leading the way. In 2025, Claiborne averaged over 6.4 yards per carry on runs to the left side. In fact, the three most efficient rushing gaps were all to the left side of the line. Siani was a clear difference maker when it came to setting the edge in the run game. He might not pancake every DE he meets, but he can open lanes for Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers.
This was a game changing addition. If Sarkisian was not able to lock up Siani, the OL would be in even worse than it was in 2025. Adding Siani gives Texas one of the best OT duos in the country, it pushes Baker inside(somewhere I believe he fits better) and allows Texas the ability to focus fully on figuring out the right combination on the interior. That continues to be a question mark, but Siani gives Kyle Flood plenty of options inside.
We have officially made our way through the marquee signings, or at least the signings that are likely to be offensive starters. Now, it’s time for the guys up front that can create the championship depth that is needed on the line of scrimmage. Dylan Sikorski and Jonte Newman are the other two additions to the OL through the portal, and we will discuss why they(particularly Sikorski) will be huge for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football transfer profile: Wake Forest OT Melvin Siani
Continue reading...
2025 Stats: 12 starts(all at LT), 78.7 pass blocking grade, 67.7 run blocking grade(PFF)
Siani comes into Texas with the majority of his experience coming at left tackle, but did get seven starts at RT in 2024. That is where he will line up for the Longhorns, simply because Trevor Goosby is a top LT in the country in 2026. That means Brandon Baker, the starter at RT in 2025, is very likely to slide inside. Whether that is to right or left guard is unknown, but I’d expect RG is the preference.
As for what Siani brings to the table at RT, it’s truly elite pass blocking. According to PFF, he is roughly on par with Trevor Goosby in the pass protection department. Siani gave up no sacks and just 9 pressures in 2025, compared to 3 sacks and 15 pressures given up by Goosby. Now, Goosby and Texas did play more premier talent, Siani has shown remarkable ability in pass protection. That gives Arch Manning two anchors on either side of him, something that was not the case for much of 2025.
In the run game, Siani isn’t quite the player Goosby is but he is effective. Wake Forest was a run-heavy offense with Demond Claiborne leading the way. In 2025, Claiborne averaged over 6.4 yards per carry on runs to the left side. In fact, the three most efficient rushing gaps were all to the left side of the line. Siani was a clear difference maker when it came to setting the edge in the run game. He might not pancake every DE he meets, but he can open lanes for Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers.
This was a game changing addition. If Sarkisian was not able to lock up Siani, the OL would be in even worse than it was in 2025. Adding Siani gives Texas one of the best OT duos in the country, it pushes Baker inside(somewhere I believe he fits better) and allows Texas the ability to focus fully on figuring out the right combination on the interior. That continues to be a question mark, but Siani gives Kyle Flood plenty of options inside.
We have officially made our way through the marquee signings, or at least the signings that are likely to be offensive starters. Now, it’s time for the guys up front that can create the championship depth that is needed on the line of scrimmage. Dylan Sikorski and Jonte Newman are the other two additions to the OL through the portal, and we will discuss why they(particularly Sikorski) will be huge for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football transfer profile: Wake Forest OT Melvin Siani
Continue reading...
