Where Texas Players Landed After Entering the NCAA Transfer Portal

As the NCAA Transfer Portal continues to become an increasingly popular avenue for players to seek new opportunities, the University of Texas has seen a considerable number of its athletes enter the portal over the past few years. With Texas being one of the most prominent football and basketball programs in the country, it’s not surprising that their athletes draw attention from other programs across the country. This article will delve into where Texas players have landed after entering the transfer portal, offering insight into the shifting landscape of college athletics and the impact on both the players and the teams they join.

The Rise of the Transfer Portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal was introduced in October 2018 to allow student-athletes to explore transfer opportunities more freely without being subjected to the complicated process of getting permission from their current school. Athletes now only need to register in the portal to make their intentions to transfer known, and once they are in, they can be recruited by other schools. This development has changed the way colleges recruit players and the way athletes approach their careers, providing more freedom and flexibility but also introducing challenges, such as the uncertainty of finding a new destination that matches their skills and goals.

The University of Texas, given its storied athletic programs, has seen a high number of athletes come and go via the transfer portal. Some of these transfers have been instrumental in reshaping the rosters of other programs, while others have gone on to continue their careers in different conferences or even different divisions. The move to the transfer portal has allowed many athletes to find new environments where they can thrive.

Texas Football Players: Key Transfers and New Homes

Texas football has always been a program that produces elite talent. However, even in a program of this caliber, not every player can find consistent playing time, and some players decide to enter the transfer portal in search of a better opportunity.

1. QB Hudson Card – After backing up Quinn Ewers for a season, Hudson Card entered the transfer portal and quickly found a new home at Purdue University. Card’s decision to leave Texas came after a season where he showed flashes of potential, but was ultimately relegated to a backup role due to the emergence of Ewers as the starting quarterback. At Purdue, Card has the chance to be the starting quarterback for the Boilermakers and further develop his skills in the Big Ten.
2. RB Keilan Robinson – Keilan Robinson, a versatile running back for Texas, entered the transfer portal following a season where he shared carries in a loaded backfield. Robinson decided to transfer to Alabama, reuniting with his former coach, Steve Sarkisian. At Alabama, Robinson has the chance to compete for more meaningful playing time in a program that has consistently been a contender for national championships.
3. WR Isaiah Neyor – Isaiah Neyor’s transfer was particularly notable due to his success as a standout receiver at Wyoming, which caught the eye of Texas’ coaching staff. However, Neyor’s career at Texas didn’t pan out as expected. After spending a year with the Longhorns, Neyor entered the transfer portal and landed at Nevada, where he hoped to recapture the form that made him a coveted transfer in the first place.
4. DE Ovie Oghoufo – Oghoufo transferred from Notre Dame to Texas to provide an immediate boost to the defensive line. After a couple of seasons with Texas, he decided to enter the portal for a fresh start. He eventually found a new home at Miami, where he hopes to contribute to the Hurricanes’ defensive front.
5. CB Jerrin Thompson – Thompson was a valuable member of the Longhorns’ secondary, but after the coaching staff brought in additional talent, he chose to leave for LSU. At LSU, Thompson hopes to have a significant impact and compete for a spot in a very competitive secondary.
6. OL Tyler Johnson – After struggling to break into the starting lineup, Tyler Johnson decided to transfer to Missouri, where he is looking to revive his career as an offensive lineman. Johnson’s move is a prime example of how depth charts at major programs can push athletes to seek out new opportunities at schools where they are more likely to start.
7. WR Tarique Milton – A former Iowa State standout, Milton transferred to Texas to try and add depth to their receiving corps. Unfortunately, his time in Austin was short-lived, as he entered the portal after just one season and moved to Arizona State. Milton aims to become a major contributor to the Sun Devils’ passing game.
8. LB Ben Davis – Ben Davis, a former top recruit who transferred to Texas from Alabama, entered the portal after struggling to carve out a prominent role in Texas’ linebacker corps. He eventually found a new home at North Texas, where he hopes to be a difference-maker on defense.

Texas Basketball Players: Key Transfers and New Homes

The Texas men’s basketball program, under head coach Chris Beard (and later Rodney Terry), has had a series of ups and downs with its roster management, especially through the transfer portal. Basketball rosters tend to turn over quicker than football rosters, and as a result, there have been a number of notable players who left Texas in search of more playing time or a different environment.

1. G Jace Febres – Jace Febres, a sharpshooter for the Longhorns, transferred to Houston after his career at Texas. Febres had his moments with Texas but never quite became the consistent contributor that fans expected. At Houston, Febres joins a program that has been a perennial powerhouse in the American Athletic Conference and looks to continue his collegiate career on a winning team.
2. F Trey Mitchell – Trey Mitchell, a highly regarded forward who transferred to Texas from UMass, played only one season with the Longhorns before opting to enter the transfer portal. He eventually committed to West Virginia, hoping to find a better fit with the Mountaineers’ system. Mitchell has the potential to be a dynamic force in the Big 12, provided he can stay healthy and maximize his playing time.
3. G Devin Askew – After a highly anticipated freshman season at Texas, Askew’s time in Austin was underwhelming. He transferred to Arizona, seeking a fresh start. At Arizona, Askew hopes to develop under head coach Tommy Lloyd and find the kind of success that eluded him during his time at Texas.
4. G Courtney Ramey – One of the more notable basketball transfers, Courtney Ramey made the decision to leave Texas after a successful run as a key member of the Longhorns’ backcourt. He transferred to Arizona, where he hoped to finish his collegiate career with a deeper run in the NCAA tournament and an opportunity to showcase his skills to pro scouts.
5. F Dylan Disu – Dylan Disu, a versatile forward, entered the portal but ultimately stayed at Texas, which was a significant win for the program. Disu had options, but after some deliberation, he chose to return to the Longhorns, where he became a key piece of their rotation. His decision to stay helped bolster Texas’ chances in the NCAA tournament.
6. C Skylar Mays – Skylar Mays, after a short stint with Texas, transferred to UCLA to help bolster their frontcourt. Mays was a promising recruit but struggled to find consistent minutes with the Longhorns.
7. G Andrew Jones – Andrew Jones, who had already faced significant adversity after a battle with leukemia, became one of the most beloved players on the Texas roster. While Jones did not enter the transfer portal, his journey with the Longhorns served as an inspirational story of perseverance, and he later transitioned into professional basketball.

The Impact on Texas Football and Basketball

The players who have transferred out of the University of Texas have had mixed results at their new schools. Some, like Hudson Card and Trey Mitchell, have gone on to enjoy greater success after transferring, while others have faced challenges adjusting to their new teams or systems. The shift to the portal system has allowed players to seek better opportunities, but it has also created a more competitive environment for those trying to find their place.

For Texas, losing players through the portal has had its challenges, particularly in areas like depth, experience, and continuity. However, the program has been proactive in using the transfer portal to bring in new talent as well. Coaches have used the portal to shore up weak spots on their rosters, and Texas has consistently landed high-level transfers to keep its programs competitive in both football and basketball.