The Texas Longhorns Need to Complete These 5 Transfer Portal Requirements Before the 2025 Season
As the Texas Longhorns continue their journey through the competitive landscape of college football, their trajectory for success hinges on a multitude of factors. The 2024 season has set the stage for potential greatness, but as we look ahead to 2025, the need to fine-tune the roster through the transfer portal becomes paramount. The transfer portal has become an indispensable tool for programs looking to bolster their depth, fill gaps, and gain immediate impact players without having to wait for high school recruits to develop.
For Texas, a program with a storied history but recent struggles in reaching the pinnacle of success, maximizing their potential through the portal will be crucial in the pursuit of national relevance and a College Football Playoff berth. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has already shown that he understands the importance of leveraging the transfer portal, having brought in several key contributors in recent years. However, heading into the 2025 season, there are five key areas where the Longhorns must focus their attention to ensure that their roster is ready for championship contention.
1. Offensive Line Depth and Talent
One of the most pressing areas of need for the Texas Longhorns heading into 2025 is the offensive line. Historically, Texas has boasted elite offensive lines, but in recent years, the unit has struggled to reach the same level of dominance that made them a fixture in the Big 12 and national discussions. For the Longhorns to be successful in the modern college football landscape, they need to prioritize depth, athleticism, and experience along the offensive line.
Current State of the Offensive Line
As of the 2024 season, the Texas offensive line is still a work in progress. Although they have several talented players, the unit lacks consistent depth, and there are question marks regarding how well they’ll be able to protect quarterback Quinn Ewers and open up running lanes for Bijan Robinson’s successor. In particular, the depth behind the starting five is thin, which could be problematic in case of injury or poor performance from certain players.
The 2025 season will be critical for Texas to make a leap, and part of that leap involves ensuring that they can dominate the line of scrimmage. Steve Sarkisian’s offense is predicated on having an offensive line that can protect the quarterback and establish a strong ground game. This is where the transfer portal becomes a crucial tool. By adding experienced and high-caliber offensive linemen, the Longhorns can help bridge the gap and solidify this important position.
Transfer Portal Targets
In 2025, Texas will need to target players who have proven themselves at the college level and can immediately step in and contribute. The ideal transfer portal targets would include tackles and guards with starting experience from top-tier programs. Ideally, these players would possess strong technique, athleticism, and the versatility to play multiple spots on the line.
Texas should also look for offensive linemen who can provide leadership and stability for the younger players coming up in the program. Bringing in experienced players from Power Five programs will help them immediately compete at the highest level.
2. Wide Receiver Depth
The wide receiver position is another area of focus for Texas as they head into the 2025 season. While they have several talented wideouts, including Xavier Worthy, who has proven himself as a dynamic playmaker, the Longhorns still lack the depth and overall star power necessary to compete against the elite teams in the Big 12 and beyond. Sarkisian’s pass-heavy system relies heavily on having multiple playmakers at the receiver position who can create separation, stretch the field, and win contested catches.
Current State of the Wide Receiver Room
As of now, the Texas receiver corps is led by Worthy, who has the potential to be a future NFL Draft pick. However, outside of Worthy, there are still questions about consistency and production from other receivers. Players like Jordan Whittington and Casey Cain have shown flashes of ability, but they haven’t consistently been able to match Worthy’s level of production. The 2024 season will be critical for these players to step up, but heading into 2025, Texas will need additional depth and star power to become a true contender.
Transfer Portal Targets
The wide receiver position is an area where the transfer portal could be an immediate solution. Texas needs to bring in receivers who can complement Worthy’s speed and playmaking ability and add variety to the offense. Ideally, these players would possess the ability to stretch the field vertically, run precise routes, and create mismatches against opposing defenses.
Additionally, Texas should focus on landing a slot receiver who can be a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game, providing Ewers with an outlet when the defense takes away the deep ball. A receiver with great hands, sharp route running, and the ability to create separation after the catch could immediately impact the offense.
3. Defensive Line Depth and Pass Rush
On the other side of the ball, the Texas defense has consistently been solid, but one area that has been lacking in recent years is the defensive line—specifically, the pass rush. In order for Texas to take the next step and compete at a national championship level, they must find a way to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt the opposing offense’s rhythm. While the Texas defense has had success in stopping the run and defending the pass, the lack of a consistent pass rush has held them back in some of their bigger games.
Current State of the Defensive Line
Texas has had solid contributors on the defensive line, including T’Vondre Sweat, but they’ve lacked a consistent, game-changing pass rusher who can get after the quarterback on third downs or in critical situations. While their defense has made strides, the pass rush has often been a weak point.
With college football becoming more pass-heavy and the need for a ferocious defense that can get to the quarterback, Texas must address this need in the transfer portal. The Longhorns need to find explosive edge rushers or versatile interior linemen who can collapse the pocket and disrupt opposing offenses.
Transfer Portal Targets
The Longhorns should target edge rushers or defensive tackles who have the ability to get to the quarterback consistently. The ideal transfer targets should have experience playing in high-pressure systems where they’ve been able to develop their skills against top-tier competition. These players would not only help Texas immediately improve their pass rush, but they could also create havoc in the backfield, causing turnovers and providing valuable disruption to the offense.
A transfer defensive end or outside linebacker with a high motor and a history of making plays in the backfield would be a key addition to this defense.
4. Secondary Help
While the Texas secondary has been a strong unit under head coach Steve Sarkisian, heading into 2025, they’ll need more depth and experience, especially in the cornerback and safety positions. With the growing importance of passing offenses across college football, Texas will need to ensure that their secondary has the talent to shut down top receiving corps, and it will also need to step up in critical moments.
Current State of the Secondary
The Longhorns secondary has some established talent, including Jerrin Thompson, but there are still questions about their overall consistency. Texas has recruited well in recent years at the cornerback position, but they still need more depth and experience, especially with players leaving for the NFL or graduation.
As the Big 12 and SEC both become increasingly competitive, especially in the passing game, the Texas secondary must ensure they have the talent to compete with some of the best wide receiver units in the country. With top-tier quarterbacks like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Georgia’s Carson Beck potentially on the schedule, the Longhorns’ secondary will need to be ready for a challenging slate.
Transfer Portal Targets
Texas should look to add experienced cornerbacks and safeties who can provide immediate depth and help solidify the secondary. Whether it’s adding a shutdown corner to lock down a number-one receiver or a safety who excels in both coverage and run support, a couple of strategic additions could make the difference for this unit.
Texas will also need to ensure they have cornerbacks who can cover the increasing number of dynamic slot receivers and tight ends that are becoming staples in many high-powered offenses.
5. Quarterback Competition and Depth
Finally, the quarterback position is one that will always be under the spotlight, and while Quinn Ewers is expected to be the starting quarterback heading into 2025, the Longhorns need to make sure they have solid depth behind him. Injuries, performance issues, or transfers are a reality at the quarterback position, and ensuring that Texas has a reliable backup is essential.
Current State of the Quarterback Room
Ewers is expected to be the leader for the Longhorns in 2025, but the team will need to have a competent backup ready in case of any unforeseen circumstances. While Maalik Murphy has shown promise, the Longhorns may need to bring in additional competition or depth to solidify the position.
Transfer Portal Targets
Texas should look for a transfer quarterback who can provide reliable depth behind Ewers. Ideally, this would be someone who has experience playing at the Power Five level and could step in should the need arise. Having a player with starting experience, who can manage games and step in when needed, would ensure that Texas remains competitive in 2025, even in the event of an injury to Ewers.
