Texas has lost 13 players to the transfer portal in this year’s first window
Today’s world of college athletics is defined by how programs navigate the transfer portal. Schools lose players who were either unhappy with their roles last season, are graduates looking for an extra season of eligibility or just seeking greener pastures. They gain student-athletes on the hunt for a fresh start or a better fit.
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Texas has been uber-successful in the portal, finding players to augment the team either in starting roles or providing depth. However, the Longhorns have seen their fair share of departures.
Texas has lost 13 players from last year’s team to the portal that went 12-2, won the Big 12 Conference for the first time since 2009 and battled (and lost to) eventual national runner-up Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal. There is still another portal window that will open April 15-30 as teams wrap up spring drills.
Here’s the players that have left the Longhorns after the 2023 season, where they landed, their stats from last year and some notes:
DB Kitan Crawford > Nevada
Crawford had 24 tackles (18 of them solo) and one for a loss as well as an interception, a pass breakup and a blocked kick in 2023. He follows former Texas assistant Jeff Choate as well as a number of staffers who joined the Wolfpack program in Reno.
DB Jerrin Thompson > Auburn
Thompson played in all 14 games last year and started 11 of them, amassing 38 tackles (19 solo), half a tackle for loss, three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
QB Charles Wright > Appalachian State
Wright played in three games in his three seasons at Texas but had no official stats.
DT Trill Carter > Auburn
Carter, a transfer from Minnesota prior to the 2023 season, appeared in 13 games and produced nine tackles (two solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. He was named an honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
DB Jalen Catalon > UNLV
Catalon, a transfer from Arkansas before the 2023 campaign, played in eight games with four starts and had 17 tackles (15 solo), one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. He reunites with Barry Odom, who was Catalon’s defensive coordinator at Arkansas.
OL Sawyer Goram-Welch > Coastal Carolina
Goram-Welch, who converted from defensive lineman in spring 2023 and played in one game last year, joins former Texas assistants Tim Beck, Derek Warehime and Craig Naivar in the Sun Belt powerhouse.
WR Isaiah Neyor > Nebraska
Neyor transferred from Wyoming prior to the 2022 season. He sat out all if that year with a knee injury. In 2023 he played in one game and had one catch for 14 yards.
QB Maalik Murphy > Duke
The dynamic Murphy played in seven games in 2023 for the Longhorns, and led Texas to wins in both of his starts (BYU and Kansas State). He completed 40 of his 71 passes for 477 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions last year.
WR Casey Cain > UNLV
Cain played in nine games in 2023, catching one pass. He reunites with former Texas wide receivers coach Brennan Marion in Vegas.
DB Larry Turner-Gooden > San Jose State
Turner-Gooden appeared in one game last year for Texas but had no stats.
DB BJ Allen Jr. > North Texas
Allen played in two games last year but had no stats. He joins former Texas staffer Chris Gilbert in Denton.
DB X’Avion Brice > North Texas
Brice played in four game last season, recording a solo tackle and a pass breakup. He joins former Texas staffer Chris Gilbert and fellow transfer Allen in the Metroplex.
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DL Kristopher Ross
Ross appeared in three games and had one tackle and a quarterback hurry in the season-opening victory over Rice.
