Defensive players who have left Texas via the transfer portal since 2021

On3 imageby:Steve Habel01/31/23

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The transfer portal in college athletics is set up as a tool for players to find the correct fit in a specific program and has become a key part of the sports landscape.

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The portal is utilized by teams as they hunt for players that will help fill a specific need while the athlete counters by placing his or her name in the transfer list in the hope that they will courted by a school and program that better suits their talents and need for playing time and development.

It is a double-edged sword – what the transfer portal giveth the transfer portal can also take away. And no program is immune to the later, with everyone losing players to the portal.

That’s certainly been the case with Texas football. Over the past few weeks we have provided you an update on the 20 players who the Longhorns have wooed to the 40 Acres via the transfer portal since it launched on Oct. 15, 2018. 

Would you be surprised to find out the more than three times as many players have transferred off the 40 Acres, 64 players in total, over the past four-plus years? 

In just the past two portal cycles 32 players who signed with Texas left via the transfer portal, 16 on offense, 15 on defense and one on special teams.

Our update here has been limited to the defensive and special teams players in the past two portal cycles. In an earlier part of this series, we recapped the offensive players who have left. Go check out that listing in the archive of Inside Texas  

Defensive players

Myron Warren, DL (Texas State)

Warren transferred to the Bobcats as a sophomore in the summer of 2022 and played in one game, recording one assisted tackle.

Tyler Owens, DB (Texas Tech)

Owens went to Lubbock as a senior in 2022 and appeared in 12 games with two starts during his first season as a key member of the secondary and on special teams. He totaled 19 tackles (14 solo) to go along with an interception, a blocked kick, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup.

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Terrence Cooks, LB (TCU)

Cooks transferred to the Horned Frogs prior to the 2022 season as a redshirt freshman. He did not see any action last year for TCU.

Marcus Tillman, LB (Navarro College > Undecided)

Tillman left Texas for junior college football at Navarro prior to the 2022 season and played well for the Bulldogs, recording 48 tackles, 38 of them solo, seven sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries in 10 games. He committed to Memphis in early December but withdrew that commitment later in the month.

Marques Caldwell, DB (Navarro College)

Caldwell also headed to the juco ranks for his sophomore season, producing 11 tackles (nine of them solo), while appearing in four games for the Bulldogs.

BJ Foster, DB (Sam Houston State)

Foster, who left Austin as a graduate, played in seven game for the Bearkats in 2022, amassing 29 tackles (20 of them solo), three tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception and a quarterback hurry on his way to all-WAC first-team honors.

Chris Admiora, DB (SMU)

Admiora went to SMU as a senior in 2022 and played in all 13 games for the Ponies, recording 14 tackles (seven of them solo), a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

Jordon Thomas, DL (Stephen F. Austin)

Thomas left Austin for Nacogdoches in the spring of 2022 and played in six games for the Lumberjacks, recording 10 tackles (four of them solo).

Jaden Hullaby, LB (New Mexico)

Hullaby moved to running back for the Lobos, for whom he ran six times for 38 yards and had two catches for 44 yards as a sophomore in 2022.

David Abiara, DL (SMU)

Abiara transferred to the Hilltop after the 2021 season and played in two game for the Mustangs in 2022, recording one tackle.

Devin Richardson, LB (Washington State)

Richardson transferred after this past season. He played two campaigns in Austin, participating in 20 games, nine of them in 2022 when he made four tackles (two of them solo). He played primarily on special teams in 2021.

JD Coffey, DB (San Diego State)

Coffey opted to transfer to the Aztecs after the 2022 season. He played in 12 games over two seasons on the 40 Acres, six in 2022 where he amassed six tackles, three of them solo.

DJ Harris Jr., DE (South Florida)

Harris heads to the Bulls after he played in three games over two seasons in Austin, including one game in 2022 when he made a tackle against Texas Tech.

Prince Dorbah, DE (Arizona State)

Dorbah heads to the Valley of the Sun after he played in seven games over three seasons at Texas, including five games in 2022 when he recorded seven tackles (three solo) and one of a loss.

Jamier Johnson, DB (Indiana)

Johnson will play for Indiana after he appeared in 17 games in two seasons on the 40 Acres, including seven games with one start in 2022. He is a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Ovie Oghoufo, DE (LSU)

Oghoufo heads to Baton Rouge for his senior season. He played in 24 games with 19 starts at Texas after transferring from Notre Dame prior to the 2021 season, after which he earned honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors. In 2022 he saw action in 13 games, amassing 54 tackles (20 of them solo) and two forced fumbles.

Special teams

Ryan Bujcevski, P (SMU)

Bujcevski played for the Mustangs in 2022 as a graduate transfer, participating in all 13 games. He had 40 punts for an average of 43.7 yards and with a long of 64 yards. Eight of his kicks were for 50 yards or more, 21 were fair caught and 15 pinned opponents inside the 20.

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