Chris Del Conte says transfer portal is 'uneffective' at Texas under Steve Sarkisian

This year is the Texas Longhorns‘ inaugural trip To the SEC spring meetings. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has been present, addressing issues impacting his institution and the conference they are about to join. One of the hot topics of this year’s meetings is the impact of the transfer portal on college football. And the Longhorns AD believes that the transfer portal has been ‘uneffective’ at Texas with Steve Sarkisian running the show.

“You look at our culture; I think we had two guys transfer. The portal has been uneffective at the University of Texas because of him,” said Del Conte. “When he took over, we had about 54 scholarship players. He built the roster the right way. And getting us prepared for this opportunity — we have a great challenge in front of us in this year’s Big 12 schedule, but I’m so proud of the roster, the team he has, and more importantly how he conducts himself representing our institution is phenomenal.”

Sarkisian has shown himself to be an impressive recruiter both in the transfer portal and on the high school recruiting trail. And in this offseason, Texas has acquired arguably more talent than they lost. Sarkisian was able to bring in a number of highly talented transfer portal players, including former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver AD Mitchell and ex-Arkansas razorback safety Jalen Catalon.

Del Conte shares excitement for SEC rivalries

At the meetings, Del Conte also talked about his excitement for the upcoming move to the SEC. And what the Texas AD is most excited about is the list of rivals his school will face in their new conference.

“What I’m really excited about is the fact that we get to have — college football is all about embracing rivalries and the fans that embrace those rivalries. Playing Arkansas again is so awesome,” said Del Conte. “Coach Broyles and DKR retired on the same day in 1976. Arkansas games mattered to our fan base so much in the 60’s and 70’s. A&M, we’ve been playing A&M forever. You’ve got Oklahoma; you have Missouri from the old Big 12 days.”

The Longhorns are bringing the Oklahoma Sooners with them to the SEC, keeping one of the biggest rivalries intact. But joining the conference means that they will have the opportunity to renew another heated rivalry with the likes of Texas A&M.