Jahleel Billingsley in the midst of serving a six-game suspension
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced following Texas’ 52-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe that tight end Jahleel Billingsley is currently serving a six-game suspension for an issue that stems from his time at Alabama. The game against the Warhawks was the first game of the suspension.
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Sarkisian says it does not stem from a legal issue, and it is an NCAA suspension.
Billingsley transferred from Alabama to Texas following the 2021 season. A senior from Chicago (Ill.) Phillips Academy, Billingsley spent three years with the Crimson Tide before entering the portal.
With Alabama, Billingsley played in 36 games with 5 starts. He tallied 37 catches for 559 yards and six touchdowns. His standout performances were during Alabama’s run to the 2020 national championship under current Texas head coach and then-Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Billingsley had six catches for 66 yards and a score in two College Football Playoff games against Notre Dame and Ohio State.
His usage and production dropped in 2021, with one standout game versus Southern Miss where he had five catches for 105 yards and a score.
The Longhorn tight end room still boasts likely starter Ja’Tavion Sanders, but others will be asked to step up in Billingsley’s absence. Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis, and Brayden Liebrock all will have an opportunity, and walk-ons Patrick Bayouth and Nathan Hatter could see opportunities as well.
A member of Alabama’s class of 2019, Billingsley was ranked as the No. 288 prospect, the No. 11 tight end, and the No. 3 prospect in the state of Illinois, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Texas defeated Louisiana-Monroe 52-10, with tight ends accounting for seven catches. Ja’Tavion Sanders had six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
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