Texas Football Offseason News: Transfer Portal, Roster Updates, and Recruiting Outlook

As the Texas Longhorns football program transitions from the 2024 season to the offseason, there is an air of anticipation surrounding the future of the program. Under head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns have been climbing back to prominence, and their off-season movements in the transfer portal, roster updates, and recruiting will likely determine whether they can sustain and build on the momentum they’ve generated. Let’s break down the latest developments from each of these key areas, as reported by Longhorns insiders and experts.

Transfer Portal Movement

The transfer portal has become a critical component of college football, allowing teams to reshape their rosters, address weaknesses, and add depth. Texas is no exception, with a number of moves already shaping the outlook for the team.

Departures from Texas:

• Quarterback Play: The departure of quarterback Maalik Murphy has been a notable story in the portal. Murphy, who had been a backup to Quinn Ewers, entered the portal seeking a fresh start. Texas has already had conversations with incoming quarterbacks to ensure the depth chart remains solid moving forward.
• Wide Receiver Position: Texas has seen several wide receivers enter the portal, seeking greater opportunities for playing time. This is an area of concern for Sarkisian, who is known for his high-flying offenses. Some of the departures, while expected, leave a gap in terms of experience at the wide receiver spot.
• Defensive Backfield: In the defensive secondary, several Longhorns players have made the decision to enter the portal. Losing depth in the defensive backfield could be a challenge for the Longhorns as they look to maintain the defensive identity that helped them during their 2024 campaign. Texas may seek to fill these gaps through the portal or through underclassmen development.

Additions to Texas:

• Quarterback Room: With Murphy’s departure, the Longhorns were quick to secure a transfer quarterback to ensure stability in the room. They’ve added a veteran quarterback with experience in a power-five conference, bolstering the depth behind Quinn Ewers. This is critical for Texas as they look to solidify their quarterback position and prepare for the potential of Ewers entering the NFL Draft after the 2025 season.
• Defensive Line Help: Texas has also been active in the portal looking for reinforcements in the defensive line. The Longhorns’ defensive front was one of their strengths in 2024, and adding a few experienced players at key positions can only help bolster an already promising defensive unit.
• Wide Receiver Talent: One of the key areas Texas has targeted is the wide receiver position. The Longhorns are bringing in at least two transfers at the position, aiming to provide quarterback Quinn Ewers with a more versatile group of pass catchers. These additions should enhance the Texas offense moving forward.
• Linebacker Depth: With a few potential NFL-bound linebackers leaving, Texas has also focused on strengthening their linebacker corps. An experienced transfer at the linebacker position could step in and immediately contribute, providing depth and leadership.

Roster Updates

Beyond the transfer portal, there are several important roster updates that Texas fans and analysts are paying close attention to. Here are some key storylines emerging as the Longhorns prepare for the 2025 season:

Quarterback Position:

• Quinn Ewers: All eyes are on Quinn Ewers, who has the potential to be a top NFL Draft pick in 2025. He had a solid season in 2024, showing both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. Whether Ewers returns for another season or declares for the draft will have major implications for the Longhorns. If he leaves, Texas will need to prepare for a potential change at the quarterback position, with the transfer portal likely being the primary avenue to find a new starter.
• Arch Manning: Behind Ewers, Arch Manning, the highly touted freshman, has had a quieter first year in Austin. Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, is seen as the future of the Texas program, and while he has not played much yet, his development will be key. Whether Manning takes over the starting role in 2025 or continues to learn under Ewers will be one of the major storylines of the upcoming season.

Running Back Position:

• Jonathon Brooks: Texas fans are expecting big things from Jonathon Brooks in 2025. After an impressive 2024 season, Brooks is poised to take over as the primary ball-carrier for the Longhorns. With Roschon Johnson having moved on, Brooks will be the focal point of the Texas running game. The Longhorns are also bringing in some young talent to bolster the running back room, ensuring they have multiple options should Brooks need a breather.

Defensive Line:

• Texas has always prided itself on having a strong, disruptive defensive line, and they are in a good position heading into 2025. Players like Baron Browning, T’Vondre Sweat, and Byron Murphy II are expected to be anchors for the Longhorns. However, the development of younger players in the trenches will be key to maintaining a high level of play and adding depth to a critical area.

Secondary:

• Jalen Catalon: The safety position will also be one to watch, with Jalen Catalon, a standout transfer, expected to be a key contributor in 2025. Catalon has the potential to be one of the top safeties in the Big 12 and will be a leader in the defensive backfield.
• Cornerback Development: Texas will also need to focus on the development of young cornerbacks to replace outgoing players. The secondary is a mix of experience and youth, and finding the right balance of contributors will be important for Texas as they prepare to compete at a high level.

Recruiting Outlook

The 2025 recruiting class for Texas is shaping up to be one of their strongest in recent memory, and insiders are bullish on the potential impact of the incoming freshmen. Coach Sarkisian and his staff have focused on landing top-tier talent across all positions.

Offensive Line Recruiting:

• One of the most critical areas for Texas is bolstering their offensive line. After a few years of inconsistency, Sarkisian has made it clear that improving the offensive line is a top priority. Texas has already secured commitments from several highly ranked offensive linemen in the 2025 class. These recruits are seen as plug-and-play players who could step into starting roles early in their careers, giving the Longhorns a much-needed boost in the trenches.

Defensive Recruits:

• Edge Rushers: The Longhorns have targeted some of the best edge rushers in the nation to help replenish their defensive front. With a focus on speed and athleticism, Texas is hoping to add players who can disrupt opposing quarterbacks and create havoc in the backfield.
• Linebackers: Texas has been successful in securing commitments from elite linebacker prospects, particularly ones who excel in coverage and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. These players could immediately help shore up a defense that has struggled at times in key moments.
• Defensive Backs: Continuing their focus on the secondary, Texas is bringing in several talented defensive backs, including cornerbacks with the potential to contribute early. Given the importance of pass defense in today’s college football landscape, these recruits will be crucial in the future success of the program.

Wide Receiver and Tight End Recruiting:

• The Longhorns have also done well in recruiting top-tier wide receivers and tight ends. With the departure of several key players from the 2024 squad, adding impact players at the receiver and tight end positions will give Texas flexibility and depth. The wide receiver group, in particular, has been bolstered by highly ranked recruits who bring speed, size, and an ability to stretch the field.

Quarterback of the Future:

• Texas has also secured commitments from several high-profile quarterbacks, continuing to build on the momentum of Arch Manning. The Longhorns are positioning themselves to have elite quarterback talent for years to come, ensuring that the program will have stability at the position well into the future.

Looking Ahead

The Texas Longhorns are at a critical juncture in their program’s development. With the combination of a talented 2025 recruiting class, key additions in the transfer portal, and the continued development of their roster, Texas is setting itself up for success in the coming seasons. Whether they can capitalize on this momentum and challenge for a College Football Playoff spot remains to be seen, but the offseason moves show promise that Texas is headed in the right direction under Steve Sarkisian.

In the ever-evolving world of college football, where transfer portal movements and recruiting success can change the trajectory of a program, Texas is making the necessary moves to compete at the highest level. Fans and insiders alike are excited to see how the 2025 season unfolds as the Longhorns continue to build a powerhouse program.