Longhorns Roster Tracker: Texas Lands Notre Dame Transfer Pass Rusher
The Texas Longhorns ended an up-and-down 2020 season, winning five out of the last six games, culminating in a 55-23 romp over the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl.
Despite the strong finish, the Longhorns decided to shake things up in a big way just a few days later, letting go of four-year coach Tom Herman and replacing him with then-Alabama coordinator Steve Sarkisian within hours.
It was a surprising move that not only demonstrated the cut-throat nature of college football but caused a substantial shift in the Big 12's power structure.
READ MORE: Sark Speaks On Longhorns Takeover: 'We're Chasing Greatness'It was a surprising move that not only demonstrated the cut-throat nature of college football but caused a substantial shift in the Big 12's power structure.
As with the end of any season, especially one accompanied by a coaching change, current players were forced to make a decision on whether or not to return to the university. And for Texas, that turnover in talent is going to be substantial.
JANUARY 25 4:35 PM UPDATE: Texas added some additional help on the defensive line on Tuesday afternoon, securing the services of former Notre Dame defensive end Ovie Oghoufo via the transfer portal.
Oghoufo did not play in 2018 but had 12 total tackles, one sack, and a pass deflection in eight games during the 2019 season. Oghoufo also saw a good deal of action in 2020, playing in eight games, and finishing with nine total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass deflections.
Oghoufo also saw action in the college football playoff against Alabama
JANUARY 25 2:43 PM UPDATE: Former Texas Longhorns running back Keontay Ingram has found a new home after entering the transfer portal earlier this month, and he is taking his talents to the west coast, where he is enrolling at USC.
Ingram, who was a feature back in Tom Herman's offense for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, lost his opportunity in 2020 thanks in large part to injury, and the subsequent emergence of 2021 Heisman Candidate, Bijan Robinson.
JANUARY 23 11:37 AM UPDATE: Former four-star recruit and Texas defensive back Jalen Green found a new home after entering the transfer portal on Tuesday, choosing to take his talents to SEC country and play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Green announced his decision via his personal Twitter account.
Green is one of eight defensive players departing the University following the end of the 2020 season, and one of four defensive backs.
JANUARY 22 4 PM Update: Texas wideout Tarik Black officially announced his intentions to enter the NFL draft on Friday afternoon, joining fellow receiver Brennan Eagles.
Black transferred to Texas after spending three years at Michigan, where he caught 40 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns. After landing in Austin, Black had a tough time developing consistency with the offense, catching 10 passes for 240 yards and one score in six appearances.
JANUARY 22 12 PM UPDATE: According to reports, Tennessee running back Eric Gray, who entered the transfer portal following the firing of Jeremy Pruitt, is in Austin visiting the Longhorns.
In two seasons with the Volunteers, Gray carried the ball 258 times for 1,311 yards (5.1 YPC) and eight touchdowns. Gray also caught 43 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns out of the backfield and was deployed as a kick and punt returner.
With Keontay Ingram leaving the Longhorns for the transfer portal earlier this month, Gray could provide a solid depth addition for Texas at a top-heavy position.
JANUARY 21 2:34 PM UPDATE: Another Texas offensive lineman entered the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon, just two days after the Longhorns parted ways with guard Willie Tyler.
This time, the loss came from the outside of the line, in former 2018 three-star recruit Reese Moore.
Moore redshirted for the Longhorns in 2018 and did not play in 2019. Moore only saw action in one game in 2020, during the team's 55-23 win over Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Moore is the eighth Longhorn to enter the transfer portal.
JANUARY 19 4:45 PM UPDATE: Two more Longhorns entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, bringing to the total number of player exit due to transfer to seven.
Defensive back Jalen Green, who was reportedly testing the waters of the transfer market on Saturday, officially entered his name into the portal on Tuesday. Green was once a four-star recruit, but could never find his stride with the Longhorns.
READ MORE: Longhorns' Cosmi Projected As A Top NFL Tackle; Is He Ready?
The second player to enter the portal for Texas on Tuesday was offensive lineman Willie Tyler. Tyler never played in a game for the Longhorns, after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Tyler was a three-star recruit in the 2019 class.
Below is the list of players who have made their decisions on whether they will return to the 40 Acres, with updates as they occur...
RETURNING:
OL - Tope Imade
OL - Denzel Okafor
TE - Cade Brewer
WR - Brendan Schooler
WR - Joshua Moore
DB - Josh Thompson
DB - D'Shawn Jamison
LB - DeMarvion Overshown
LB - Juwan Mitchell
DL - Marquez Bimage
DL - Jacoby Jones
NOT RETURNING:
QB - Sam Elingher (NFL Draft)
QB - Ja'Quinden Jackson (transfer portal)
OT - Sam Cosmi (NFL Draft)
OL - Reese Moore (transfer portal)
OL - Willie Tyler (transfer portal)
WR - Brennan Eagles (NFL Draft)
WR - Tarik Black (NFL Draft)
RB - Keontay Ingram (transfer portal)
DB - Caden Sterns (NFL Draft)
DB - Chris Brown (NFL Draft)
DB - Xavion Alford (transfer portal)
DB - Jalen Green (transfer portal)
DL - Daniel Carson (transfer portal)
DL - Ta-Quan Graham (NFL Draft)
LB - Joseph Ossai (NFL Draft)
LB - Ayodele Adeoye (transfer portal)
CONTINUE READING: Former Starting Longhorns RB Ingram Enters Transfer Portal
