Texas Longhorns Land Commitment From Coveted LSU Tigers Transfer Amid Portal Chaos

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns have landed a commitment from LSU Tigers defensive tackle Zion Williams just days after officially entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to multiple reports.

Williams signed with the Bayou Bengals as a Top-30 defensive lineman in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle and a consensus four-star prospect on the prep scene, but made the move to depart Baton Rouge after just one season with the program.

The 6-foot-4, 360-pounder played in five games across the 2025 season and did not record any statistics. Williams will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at his next destination.

A Texas native, Williams now heads back to the Lone Star State with an opportunity to make an impact in the Southeastern Conference under Sarkisian and Co.

What will Williams provide at his next destination now that he's officially heading to Austin (Tex.)?

BREAKING: LSU transfer DL Zion Williams has Committed to Texas, he tells @On3Sports

“I’m home, Hook ‘Em!”https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/MkWPZC9U2M
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 8, 2026

"Larger interior D-line presence who could potentially serve as an anchor in the middle of multiple fronts. Power-based prospect who shows impressive play strength in pads. Capable of taking on or cleaving double teams at the high school level," 247Sports wrote.

"Also flashes stack-and-shed ability 1-on-1. Fits the mold of a traditional nose whose impact is felt more in the run game than as a pass rusher, but does show some closing juice on a line, relative to size. Generally good get-off and snap anticipation. Also throws shot put, including a plenty respectable junior-best throw just shy of 47 feet.

"Sometimes stands up at the snap and can play upright at times. Relative scarcity of interior D-linemen of this physical archetype drives up value as a prospect. Projects to the P4 level as a potential multi-year starter who owns physical tools that provide even longer-term upside."

Lane Kiffin's Message: Building a Championship Roster

“This place is built for championships with championship expectations. We understand that, but as an elite competitor, that’s exactly what you want, and that’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said at his introductory press conference. …

"I know that we have, with the passion of LSU family and our LSU players, that we have everything to bring championship football back to LSU.

“It’s time for LSU to take its place back as the best program in all of college football. … I’m uniquely prepared at 50 years old for this job to have been so many places, done good things, made a lot of mistakes and made them really early on.”

More LSU News:

LSU Hosts No. 1 EDGE Transfer as Lane Kiffin Pushes For Ex-Penn State Defender

LSU Football Hosting Elite Florida Gators Transfer For Visit, Former Five-Star Recruit

Arkansas Razorbacks, Kentucky Wildcats Among Teams to Watch for LSU Football Transfer

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