Texas Longhorns Transfer RB Commits to New Team

Another former member of the Texas Longhorns has found a new home in the transfer portal.

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

AUSTIN -- A former Texas Longhorns running back is heading up north to continue his collegiate career.

Texas transfer running back Reid Watkins announced on social media that he has committed to South Dakota University for the 2025 season. Watkins will now go from the SEC to the Missouri Valley Football Conference, joining one of the top FCS programs in the process.

Watkins appeared in the 51-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe this past season, finishing that game with four carries for 15 yards.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team to the field for the second half of the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. | Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watkins is a product of All Saints Episcopal in Fort Worth, Texas. He had originally committed to Tulsa out of high school, but instead chose to head to Texas as a preferred walk-on after being recruited by now-former running backs coach Tashard Choice. Watkins also received offers from programs like Houston, New Mexico State, Navy, Troy and more during the high school recruiting process.

Watkins had tweeted that he was "super excited" to get to Austin for the 2024 season upon the news of his commitment.

After great consideration and a great visit I will be playing this fall for South Dakota University! @SDCoyotesFB #GoYotes 🐺 @CoachTJohansen @coachcdantew @1CoachRosie @BHoward_11 @CoachBeck_PTF pic.twitter.com/bMO7vlaTcv

— Reid watkins (@reidwatkins05) May 28, 2025

"I am super excited to announce an opportunity to continue my athletic and academic career after being accepted into UT," Watkins tweeted upon his commitment to Texas. "With that being said I will be committing to The University of Texas! Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way."

Texas has had a handful of notable departures via the portal since before last season ended, with Johntay Cook II's midseason departure making the most headlines. However, the Longhorns have retooled the roster in a major way with a slew of new additions.

During the spring portal window, the Longhorns landed Cal tight end Jack Endries, Troy quarterback Matthew Caldwell, Texas State kicker Mason Shipley, Maryland defensive lineman Lavon Johnson, Stanford wide receiver Emmett Mosley V and Syracuse defensive lineman Maraad Watson.

Prior to that, Texas had secured commitments from three defensive linemen in North Carolina's Travis Shaw, Purdue's Cole Brevard and Ohio State's Hero Kanu along with Utah punter Jack Bouwmeester and Arkansas linebacker Brad Spence.

Texas and Ohio State will play the regular-season opener for both teams on Aug. 30 in Columbus at 12 p.m. CT.