Longhorns Country

Two Texas Longhorns Hint at Potential Return Next Season

The Texas Longhorns have some key roster retention decisions to make under new head coach Sean Miller.
Zach Dimmitt|
Xavier's Dayvion McKnight pressures Texas' Jordan Pope during the Xavier vs. Texas NCAA Tournament First Four game in Dayton on March 19, 2015.
Xavier's Dayvion McKnight pressures Texas' Jordan Pope during the Xavier vs. Texas NCAA Tournament First Four game in Dayton on March 19, 2015. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns have yet to make any additions to next year's roster as the program prepares for the first season under new head coach Sean Miller but good news could be on the horizon.

While work in the transfer portal will be reqiuired, Miller and staff also have to evaluate potential returners for next season. Some of the potential names include guards Jordan Pope, Chendall Weaver and Tramon Mark along with forward Nic Codie. Devon Pryor was a notable player to watch in this regard but he has since entered the portal.

Jordan Pope
Mar 13, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) reacts after the double over time win against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Fortunately for the Longhorns, it appears that Pope and Weaver have made their decision.

In a recent Instagram post, Pope shared a picture of himself in a Texas jersey with the caption "Year 3" followed by an orange heart emoji. Weaver commented "run it back" underneath the picture.

It doesn't take a detective to figure out what both Pope and Weaver are alluding to, as it now appears their official return could be looming. The jury is still out on Mark's decision, but if there's any early indication, he "liked" Pope's Instagram post.

Take a look:

Locking down Weaver, Pope and Mark would give the Longhorns a solid foundation to build around this offseason. Like many teams around the country, the Texas roster currently looks like a ghost town, as Kadin Shedrick, Julian Larry, Jayson Kent, Arthur Kaluma are all out of eligibility. Additionally, star guard Tre Johnson is almost certainly headed to the 2025 NBA Draft following a stellar freshman season.

As for Pope, he made it clear that playing in the NCAA Tournament was a driving force in his decision to come to Texas. He got a taste of it in the First Four but will now be looking for more if he officially stays on the roster under Miller.

"When I seen everyone start cheering when our name popped up, I almost teared up a little bit," Pope said on Selection Sunday. "This is what I dreamed for, this is what I came to Texas for. That was part of my decision in leaving (Oregon State). I wanted to be part of March Madness and get my chance to be on that stage. And now that we have the opportunity, I'm just grateful."

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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