REPORT: Alabama's Isaiah Bond to Visit Texas; Longhorns 'Serious Contenders'
As the ripple effect surrounding Nick Saban's retirement at Alabama continues to unfold, more players are about to enter the portal and look elsewhere for playing time.
Of those names is receiver Isaiah Bond, who has reportedly filed the paperwork and is expected to transfer. The Texas Longhorns are already feasting on the chance of acquiring his services.
According to 247Sports, the Longhorns are serious contenders to land the Bond. The Alabama standout is also reportedly scheduled to visit Austin this weekend.
If all goes according to plan, it'll be the only visit he takes before signing up to play on the Forty Acres.
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Bond served as the go-to target for Jalen Milroe en route to winning the Southeastern Conference and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. He caught 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 13.9 yards per catch.
Perhaps his most impressive moment came on the iconic fourth-and-31 play in which Milroe found Bond in the back of the end zone to beat Auburn in the closing seconds of the Iron Bowl. A week later, Bond made several acrobatic grabs to end Georgia's 29-game win streak.
The Longhorns have been quiet on the transfer portal front since securing their first 12-win season since 2009. Three players have pledged their commitment to the program, but each player comes with distinguished honors from their former schools.
Matthew Golden (Houston) earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last season with the Cougars. Trey Moore (UTSA) won AAC Defensive Player of the Year in the Roadrunners' first season with the conference. Andrew Mukuba (Clemson) earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021.
Texas is targeting proven names with unlimited potential. Bond, whose impact secured a spot in the four-team playoff, would fall under that category.
With the loss of their three leading receivers, the Longhorns need experience at receiver. Golden should fill the void at one of three positions and there's promising upside with Johntay Cook entering his second season.
On top of losing Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and Jordan Whittington to the NFL Draft, Texas lost several veterans to the portal. Casey Cain left to reunite with former receiver coach Brennan Marion at UNLV. Isaiah Neyor recently committed to Matt Rhule and Nebraska.
The addition of Bond would fortify an offense that's returning quarterback Quinn Ewers and four starters on the offensive line. Last season, Texas finished ninth in total yards (477.5), 15th in scoring (35.8) and 17th in passing (288.9).
While Sarkisian has been considered a candidate to replace Saban in Tuscaloosa, the third-year coach took to social media Thursday, telling fans he's "just getting started." Texas and Sarkisian are expected to come to terms on an extension as soon as Friday.
In three seasons, Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to a 25-14 record, a Big 12 conference title, and a College Football Playoff berth. He's also posted back-to-back top-three recruiting classes, a first for the Horns since 2018-19.
