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2024 Transfer Thread - Brooks Was Here. So Was Red.


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3 minutes ago, markstanco said:

Where are you seeing that?  I saw an article saying WA, OR, and USC.  No mentions of any other school, but yes I realize it is an opinion piece. 

Ohio St side....

There is a feeling Devin Brown may enter as well. So a 1 year rental at QB and going all in on Air Noland with a RS year. 

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3 minutes ago, Helobious said:

If any of these talented headcases need a home, want immediate playing time, and want to be part of building something great, UTRGV kicks off in 2025. 

You joke around, but just wait until Elon decides to support the local community and mess with the nation by buying them an all-star team lol

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1 minute ago, closetojumping said:

Also, he's lying in that post. That fucking guy got paid. He turned down real offers from elsewhere to sign and stay at ATM. He wasn't doing that because he's a big lover of the school.

He said he didn't get paid a dollar from aTm. He didn't say anything about boosters and local sunflower seed companies. 

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7 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Also, he's lying in that post. That fucking guy got paid. He turned down real offers from elsewhere to sign and stay at ATM. He wasn't doing that because he's a big lover of the school.

He could be telling the truth and got no NIL dollars.  I think in Evan's class they were still brown bagging it.

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36 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

He/his dad reached out to Deion last spring about him transferring over, since he'd looked at Jackson State during his recruitment. Allegedly there was a tepid response about competing for playing time and no NIL so Taylor stayed put and collected his money.

There's going to be some pain for Texas in the portal this cycle, but Texas should also win again on a net basis from the portal. There is a lot of interest coming UT's way across the board. 

I would expect Texas to lose, to the portal:

1 QB

1 TE

2 WR

4 OL (SGW, Merril, Kirkland, Cajoe are the most likely for varying reasons. They do not want to lose, but may lose, several other back-ups if there's NIL craziness. The only way Cam Williams is leaving is for a giant pile of cash from another major P5 that Texas simply cannot match or doesn't want to match.)

2 DT

2 DE

2 CB/Star

2 S

I would expect Texas to take, from the portal:

1 TE

3 WR (they are looking at cream of the crop stuff here, and they may decide to be picky and take 1-2 and see what happens this spring)

1 DL

1 LB

1-2 DB (they will take elite DBs only, and apparently Korie Black qualifies)

Texas is going to sign 23-25 HS players. So if they're losing 15-20 in the portal and 15-20 to draft plus graduation, that would have them net zero to net down 9 max. If they're going beyond potential net down 3-4, I assume they're making that up in the portal. 

There are roughly, supposedly, 15 guys on the roster that they'd be fine losing, although not necessarily being aggressive with that many. 

I expect there to be 3-4 transfer announcements shortly and then a relative trickle until the playoffs are over. There are going to be a few guys who, as soon as they've met with Sarkisian, are going to feel like they need to get the fuck out and get a landing spot somewhere quickly. That will outweigh the desire to be a part of a playoff team. I'll be shocked if it is more than 5 guys and the same if it is like 0-1. We will all know a lot more over the next 36 hours regarding transfers out since the guys they're the most bullish on not being a part of the program going forward will be met with quickly, immediately following anyone, if there is anyone, who they view as a real flight risk ahead of the playoffs that they do not want to lose.

One caveat to all of this is that no one knows to what extent the culture being created, and the opportunities being presented, puts both a lid on guys leaving and the quality of the guys they can bring in. Everyone is assuming some pain on the portal side related to NIL expectations in the market, and the unknown aspects of the depth and breadth of that, and whether or not Texas can handle it. There's a legit chance the program can happily play inside of all of these numbers, but no one is preparing for the best case scenario.

I know it’s no sure thing, but if Ewers goes to the NFL, is the staff really comfortable with going into the season with only Wright and Owens behind Manning?

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3 minutes ago, UTEX90 said:

He could be telling the truth and got no NIL dollars.  I think in Evan's class they were still brown bagging it.

This was the last true bag class and Jimbo went all out. He likely never did get a dime from the school, but he enrolled as a top 1% income earner. 

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2 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

As for other aggys, what's the thoughts on Walter Nolan? 

Wouldn't mind shoring up the DL with Sweat and Murphy (likely) leaving.  

He is likely going to command a monster payday and I am not convinced we even want the guy from a locker room perspective. 

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If my memory serves correctly, X was chasing more money and threatened a transfer after his Fresh year. We placated with better NIL money. He later found religion/culture. He even alluded to it in the post B12 champ LHN interview. He said year 1, guys were looking out for themselves and their own stats. This year was all about the team. I'm assuming he was including himself in that statement.

So I wouldn't be so hard on Stewart for chasing money. Give him money and maybe he too can find religion/culture in this program. That may be too big of a risk tho.

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8 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

If my memory serves correctly, X was chasing more money and threatened a transfer after his Fresh year. We placated with better NIL money. He later found religion/culture. He even alluded to it in the post B12 champ LHN interview. He said year 1, guys were looking out for themselves and their own stats. This year was all about the team. I'm assuming he was including himself in that statement.

Well, he also was on the fence about leaving last year too. It wasn't just a one year thing. I'm not blaming him for trying to get the bag and by all accounts he is a good teammate and hard worker, but he has always made sure to look out for himself as well. 

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1 minute ago, Hookem2147 said:

Well, he also was on the fence about leaving last year too. I'm not blaming him for trying to get the bag and by all accounts he is a good teammate and hard worker, but he has always made sure to look out for himself as well. 

Then maybe even more reasons to entertain Stewart. 

Anyway, this talk is fantasy. I think CTJ already alluded that Stewart to Texas is never going to happen. 

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2 minutes ago, tokamak said:

Sorry to be that fucking guy right now, but are we at any risk of scaring off Cook and/or Moore if we land 2-3 badass portal WRs?

Wouldn't think so unless we just bring in 3 total badasses.

WR room headed into next year (assuming Cain and Neyor portal out) is Cook, Moore, Niblett, Livingstone, Wingo and Dubose. That's pretty damn thin and inexperienced. Even if we bring in a couple badass portal guys Cook and Moore should still be in line for a good number of snaps.

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3 hours ago, Teryor said:

10 Potential Texas Targets - Scruggs

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The NCAA Transfer Portal window has officially opened today and madness is expected. 

Hundreds of players have already announced their intentions to enter the portal and hundreds if not thousands more will be joining them over the next few days. 

With the success the team is having in 2023 and overall sense of direction the program is heading in towards the future, Texas is viewed as one of, if not the most preferred destinations for portal players all throughout the nation. That said, there will be plenty of portal players trying to make their way to Austin, and luckily for Texas, with so many candidates the Longhorns staff should be able to pick and choose who they actually want at most positions. 

No one in college football makes more money or has more leverage than players in the portal (specifically quarterbacks and edge rushers) who have shown they can produce at the power five level. If you don’t get it already, NIL is commonly one of, if not the biggest factor(s) for high level players looking to find a home in the portal. It’s obviously the same for high level high school prospects too, but in the portal everything is amplified and the numbers are much higher because by this point most players have already shown what they can do and schools have a pretty good idea of what they’re getting and/or looking for. On the same note, Texas isn’t going to reach for any players and if a number gets too high for them on a player that they feel isn’t worth it, they won’t agree to it. 

Texas making it to the College Football Playoff will make things a little bit tricky in terms of getting players in and out of the program via the portal with the window being open for just barely over a month from Dec. 4 to Jan. 2. Luckily for Texas they’ll have the window extended five days since the Longhorns made a bowl game, but nonetheless there will still be logistical challenges as sources tell Horns247 that several players who had been planning on leaving via the portal are now hoping to stay on the team through the Longhorns playoff run. As of this morning we’re still expecting at least one Texas player to enter the portal today, and as you’d assume we already have several stories written for players we either already know are leaving or players we’re expecting to leave. 

Without further ado, here’s 10 players to watch for Texas in the portal.

Disclaimer: Every player on this list has either announced their intentions to enter the portal, is in the portal, or I have sourced intel that tells me they’ll be in the portal.

(Player order determined by position)

RALEEK BROWN, RB, USC

Raleek Brown (Photo: Chris Trevino | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)

A Stockton, California native, Brown was rated as the nation’s No. 3 running back and as a top 100 prospect by both 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite Rankings after Brown prepped his junior and senior season at national powerhouse Mater Dei. A bit of an interesting case, Brown saw action in all 14 of the Trojans games during Brown's true freshman season but was switched from running back to wide receiver prior to the start of the 2023 season. The thing is, Brown had a redshirt season as he only played in two games this fall at his new position (wide receiver) before announcing his intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. In 16 games of action for the Trojans, Brown accounted for 243 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns off 45 carries (5.4 YPC) while also adding 193 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns off of 19 receptions (10.16 YPC).

At 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds with four years of eligibility left, Brown is one of the more coveted players at his position in all of the transfer portal and he’ll have plenty of options to choose from due to his versatility as someone who can play both running back and wide receiver at a high level. In speaking with sources, I’ve been told to watch out for Texas and Utah. While I haven’t yet spoken with anyone in Austin about what exactly Brown’s role would be if he were to come to Texas, I’m under heavy assumption that he would be utilized in the same way that Keilan Robinson is as Robinson and Brown share many similarities in their games.

JERAND BRADLEY, WR, TEXAS TECH

Jerand Bradley (Photo: Steven Chapman, 247Sports)

A Frisco, Texas native, Bradley prepped at several high schools in the DFW Metroplex area but graduated from DeSoto in 2021 and was rated as a three-star prospect by both 247Sports and the Composite. Bradley has three seasons left of eligibility after he redshirted his freshman season in Lubbock in 2021. In his three years and 28 games of action for the Red Raiders, Bradley has hauled in 1,274 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns off of 92 receptions for an average of 13.84 yards per catch.

At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Bradley presents the physical big-bodied outside wide receiver that the Texas staff is hoping to reel in through the transfer portal and he’ll have no shortage of options to choose from as others look to fill the same need. While Bradley’s recruiting process in the portal still has a ways to go, I’ve been told by a source close to him that Louisville, Oklahoma, Texas, UCLA, and USC are the five programs to watch. Texas has a unique angle here that I think will really help them down the road though, and I’m expecting Texas to be in this till the end at the least.

WILL SHEPPARD, WR, VANDERBILT

Will Sheppard (Photo: © Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)

A native of Mandeville, Louisiana, Sheppard will be one of the most sought after players in the portal. In Sheppard’s four seasons at Vanderbilt he’s played in 42 games (starting 35 of them) and has hauled in 2,067 yards and 21 touchdowns off of 152 receptions (13.59 YPC).

Not only is the production great, but it’s the fact that he consistently produced in a conference as good as the SEC that will make him one of the more coveted players in all of the portal. At 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, Sheppard also fits the same need that Bradley would as the big-bodied outside wide receiver that the Longhorns would like to add to their offense. The only downside that I could see teams not liking is how he only has one year of eligibility left with the extra year that was given out to players during the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season. Not a ton is known about who the potential competition could be, but I’ve been told by a well placed source that Sheppard’s preferred destination is Austin, Texas.

JUICE WELLS, WR, SOUTH CAROLINA

Antwane Wells (Photo: Ryan Bethea, 247Sports)

Notice a trend here? Another big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds that shares some similarities to both Bradley and Sheppard, it’s been well documented that Wells has interest in Texas.

It’s actually Wells’ second time being in the portal, but this time he’s doing it as a grad transfer, as he played his first two collegiate seasons at James Madison University before transferring to South Carolina where he’s spent the last two seasons. In his four years in college, he’s played in 38 games with 27 of those appearances being starts. Again similar to Sheppard, Wells has shown he can produce, but more importantly has shown he can do it in the SEC conference, as in four years (two years of SEC play) he’s hauled in 187 receptions for 2,818 yards (15.06 YPC) and 28 touchdowns.

Wells will have at least two seasons of eligibility remaining after he was in college for the 2020 Covid-19 shortened season but also because he can get a redshirt for this past season since he only played in three games for South Carolina in 2023. His season was shortened due to an injury he suffered in South Carolina's week three game vs. Georgia, an injury in which he never returned. While I’ve confirmed with sources that Wells’ preferred destination is Austin, Texas, I think there could be some potential concerns by schools due to the injury he suffered last year, although I doubt it'll matter.

MATTHEW GOLDEN, WR, HOUSTON

Matthew Golden (Photo: James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports)

Golden hasn’t announced any intentions to enter the portal yet, but after speaking with sources close to him I’m fully expecting him to be in the portal if Houston’s wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts isn’t retained by Willie Fritz and the staff he’s putting together to coach the Cougars. If Shorts is brought back by Fritz, I’ve been told by the same source that it’s more likely than not that Golden will stay put in Houston.

That said, if Golden were to enter he’d be one of the most sought after players in the portal and I think that’s without question as he’s put up 988 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns off of 76 receptions (13 YPC) while also adding 437 return yards and 2 touchdowns off 14 kick return attempts (21.9 YPKR). At 6-foot, 190 pounds Golden also has value with his versatility because he has the talent and IQ to be successful at any of the receiver positions. Texas has some familiarity to offer in this one as Golden played his high school ball at Klein Cain and was teammates and in the same graduating class as second year running back Jaydon Blue. If Golden enters the portal he’ll have no shortage of options to choose from, but that said I’d expect Texas to make a pretty significant push for him if he ends up available. If/when Golden enters the portal, I’m told that Louisville, LSU, Texas, and SMU will be the ones to watch.

EVAN STEWART, WR, TEXAS A&M

Evan Stewart (Photo: Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Sports)

Like Golden, Stewart has yet to announce any intentions to enter the portal, but after speaking with sources throughout the last few days I’m expecting Stewart to eventually enter. If that were to happen, he would immediately be the top wide receiver in the portal and I don’t think that’s up for debate.

Through two seasons and 18 games of action for the Aggies, Stewart has hauled in 91 receptions for 1,163 yards (12.78 YPC) and 6 touchdowns. Stewart’s camp has been keeping an incredibly tight lid on everything and not a ton is getting out on when or if he could enter the portal, but I feel good enough about my sources here to include him on this list. I’d expect Stewart’s camp to remain quiet if/when he does go in the portal, meaning the legitimate contenders could be pretty hard to find out but I'm under the impression it'll be made up of the schools that were in the mix for him out of high school. That said, I’d fully expect Texas and every other top program in the nation to be in hot pursuit of the No. 1 ranked wide receiver prospect in the 2022 class. While I personally don’t see it happening just because of the rivalry dynamics and other dynamics at hand, there are sources I’ve spoken with that truly feel like Texas has a legitimate shot to land Stewart if he were to go in the portal.

SAMUEL BROWN, WR, HOUSTON

Sam Brown (Photo: Robert Sellers, 247Sports)

Houston’s leading wide receiver for the 2023 season and by a fair margin (237 more yards than second place), I’m expecting Brown to enter the transfer portal after speaking with several sources last night.

Brown started his career at West Virginia where he put up just 10 receptions for 107 yards in two seasons for the Mountaineers before entering the transfer portal and finding a home at Houston. In his two seasons at Houston, he's played in 23 games and has accounted for 103 receptions and 1,286 yards (12.49 YPC) and 7 touchdowns with a good chunk of that coming from this past season where he had 62 receptions for 815 yards (13.15) and 3 touchdowns. I just found out about Brown’s intentions last night so that said I’ve yet to speak to any other sources about him, but I’d expect plenty of schools to be interested in him and wouldn’t be shocked if Texas is one of them.

JAMAREE CALDWELL, DL, HOUSTON

Jamaree Caldwell (Photo: Houston Athletics)

Almost an identical situation to Golden, I’m expecting Caldwell to depart from Houston if Cougars defensive line coach Brian Early isn’t retained by Willie Fritz as Fritz builds his new Houston staff over the next few days. Also like Golden’s situation with Shorts, if Early is retained by Houston I’ve been told it’s more likely than not that Caldwell will remain a Cougar in 2023. 

Caldwell will have one year of eligibility left as he’s spent two seasons in Houston after spending two years in the JUCO ranks following his high school career. Caldwell is likely a name Texas fans will remember after he wreaked havoc against the Longhorns in 2023 with his two sacks on Quinn Ewers being the headliner of his great day of play vs. Texas on Oct. 21. After putting up 26 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 block on special teams in 2023, Caldwell will be a highly coveted player in the portal if he were to enter. I haven’t been told by anyone that Texas would be involved if Caldwell were to enter the portal, but with the names of schools that I have heard will be involved, I’d expect Texas to at least have interest. If Caldwell enters the portal, it’s very likely his destination will be an SEC school or one of the top ACC programs. 

KYLE KENNARD, DL, GEORGIA TECH

Kyle Kennard (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Kennard didn’t venture too far from home when choosing Georgia Tech out of high school as a member of the 2020 class. In four seasons of play for the Yellow Jackets, Kennard has played in 42 games (20 starts) and has been credited with 115 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. 

Kennard will have plenty of options to choose from in the portal, and while I’ve been told Texas is one of Kennard’s preferred destinations, I’ve yet to check in with anyone in Austin about him and I’m not entirely sure how much interest the Longhorns would have.

KORIE BLACK, CB, OKLAHOMA STATE

Korie Black (Photo: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)

The older brother of Waco Connally four-star defensive back and Texas priority target Kobe Black, Longhorns fans should know Korie quite well as Texas has gone against him four years in a row.

While Black is yet to announce any intentions of entering the portal, I felt it was worth including him on this list as I was sure to be asked about him anyways. I’ve been tracking the elder Black since rumors started a few weeks ago, and here’s what I know after speaking to sources near Black pretty regularly for the last couple of weeks: Black wasn’t a huge fan of his draft grade that was provided to him by the NFL, and in turn, he’s heavily considering returning to college for one more season, however I’m told a decision on his future is still yet to be made as of Sunday morning. Based off what I know at this point I’d say it’s slightly more likely Black remains in Stillwater instead of another college for his last year of eligibility, but the possibility of him entering the portal is certainly not off the table. In talking to sources in Austin, there’s an understanding that Black is the level of player Texas would take out of the portal, but I can assure you he’ll have plenty of options if he were to go in the portal and so will Texas. That said, it’s worth a reminder that Texas will not reach on any players if there’s better players available but also if the program deems a price is too high. Regardless of that statement, we’re going to continue to track Black until an NFL or portal decision has been made.

 

Scruggs apparently was not a math major.

(…doesn’t even exhibit the calendar awareness of an event planner.)

Nice list, but a note to everyone else:

Being in college in 2022 and 2023 while redshirting one of those years does NOT mean that that kid has 4 years of eligibility remaining.

COVID year was 2020…

ONLY.

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8 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Great reporting by Anwar on a dude who was not on the Texas roster this year.

 

The entire OB staff is an embarrassment.  How do people still pay these frauds money?

2 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

I screenshot that just in case his dumbass deleted.

 

Image

Well done, he deleted it.

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59 minutes ago, C-Man said:

Why does Dillon Gabriel still have eligibility? A COVID year? He's played four full college seasons and three games in a fifth. These guys need to move the fuck on. Tired of fifth- (Bo Nix) and sixth-year (Michael Penix) QB's.

Move on to what? Penix will get a look in the NFL but no way Gabriel is every more than a practice squad guy at best with that lack of arm and his entire college career in junk college offense. Dudes like him should get all the NIL they can while they can. 

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34 minutes ago, Snake Diggity said:

I know it’s no sure thing, but if Ewers goes to the NFL, is the staff really comfortable with going into the season with only Wright and Owens behind Manning?

If Ewers goes to the NFL, they would go after a non-NIL-requiring super senior or senior with some credible starting experience that would be grateful for the chance to be an emergency back-up at Texas. The NIL requirements this cycle are off the charts for everyone, Texas included. 

32 minutes ago, Vertigo said:

He is likely going to command a monster payday and I am not convinced we even want the guy from a locker room perspective. 

If stories are to be believed, Nolan's camp expects a rather significant payday. He's not nearly as productive as the financial demands would merit. Plus, he's a pussy. I sure as shit hope Texas isn't doing anything stupid on this one.

15 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

Then maybe even more reasons to entertain Stewart. 

Anyway, this talk is fantasy. I think CTJ already alluded that Stewart to Texas is never going to happen. 

For hygiene's sake, I didn't say "never". I said that Texas allegedly was interested, and then rattled off like 10 reasons why I, personally, do not want the guy anywhere near the UT program. Whoever said he is a good teammate is categorically incorrect. There are comparable takes from the portal that would cost less, come with less baggage, and would be excited about playing for Texas.

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12 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

So he'd stay to play for a guy that was just fired by a horrible Florida?

You are giving Nolen too much credit. Players like Nolen don't believe they need coaching to get tonthe nfl.

His thought process, like many top mercenary recruits, is to gain more money and ensure they can do whatever they want without repercussions. 

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  • closetojumping changed the title to 2024 Transfer Thread - Brooks Was Here. So Was Red.

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