Texas Longhorns OL Payton Kirkland to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

The Longhorns lost some offensive depth on Monday, with Payton Kirkland entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.

The Texas Longhorns needed to trim down their roster before the start of next season, with 88 scholarship players on the roster and only 85 spots available.

And with the NCAA Transfer Portal set to reopen on Tuesday, it was only a matter of time before things started moving for the Horns one way or the other.

On Monday, the Longhorns saw their first loss, with offensive lineman Payton Kirkland planning to enter his name into the portal, per On3's Hayes Fawcett. He will have four years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.

Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice

Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

Kirkland, a 6-6, 366-pound former four-star recruit, chose the Longhorns over Oklahoma, Michigan State, Alabama, Florida, and Miami. He was a key member of a 2023 offensive line class that was one of the most decorated hauls in school history at the position alongside Andre Cojoe, Connor Stroh, Jaydon Chatman, and Trevor Goosby.

In fact, Kirkland had offers from over 50 schools nationwide, ranking as the No. 28 offensive tackle and No. 66 player in Florida, per 247 Sports.

Kirkland eventually made the transition to left guard, where he fell behind Neto Umeozulu and presumed starter Hayden Connor.

However, with the emergence of other players on the interior - including Umeozulu - Kirkland's path toward a starting or even a consistent role in the rotation was becoming less likely.

Kirkland did not see game action during his time in Austin, and redshirted his freshman season.

After the departure of Kirkland, the Longhorns will still have to find three more spots to trim down in order to reach the 85-player limit - And should they want to make any more additions, perhaps more.