Jahleel Billingsley announces transfer to the Texas Longhorns

When Jahleel Billingsley entered the transfer portal, he instantly became one of the top names available. On Sunday, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior announced he will play his final season in college at Texas.

On Friday, Billingsley announced he was in Austin, TX on a visit via Instagram story. After hitting the portal on Wednesday, Texas was immediately the heavy favorite to land the athletic tight end. 

Billingsley has very strong ties to the Longhorns’ coaching staff, with Steve Sarkisian being his offensive coordinator for two seasons. Longhorns assistant Jeff Banks was the tight ends coach for the Crimson Tide before heading to Texas. Banks has a very close relationship with the Chicago native. 

The addition of Billingsley is a very important one for the Longhorns hopes of ascending next season. Texas lost two tight ends since the end of the 2021 season in Cade Brewer and Jared Wiley (transfer to TCU). Texas has some young talent at the position with Juan Davis, Gunnar Helm, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. All three are entering their second seasons in the program. Billingsley will add the much needed experience to the talented young players. 

Billingsley will hit the field running for Sarkisian and his offense. The familiarity is already there with the scheme, and will bring the athletic ability to help open up the downfield passing game at the position in Austin.

Jahleel Billingsley brings production to Texas 

The former four-star recruit left Alabama with 37 receptions for 559 yards and six touchdowns in three seasons. In two SEC Championship Games and four College Football Playoff games he caught 11 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown. 

The 6-foot-4 junior from Chicago, Illinois caught 18 passes for 287 yards in 2020 emerging as one of the top tight ends in college football entering the 2021 season. 

Billingsley, however, saw a diminished role in 2021. He totaled 17 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns but did not catch more than two passes in any of the final 10 games.