Texas Longhorns transfer portal returns ascending greatly

When Steve Sarkisian and staff arrived in Austin, there was plenty of work to be done to fix and improve the roster.

That not only included recruiting and building from the high schools ranks, but also the portal.

The first class of portal players signed by Texas in 2021 had returns that were deemed okay. The five players were seen as pieces to help the program, and that has certainly been the case in Keilan Robinson. Robinson enters the 2023 season with NFL draftable grade.

The 2022 class was scene as a massive upgrade in the portal efforts by the Texas staff, but with some risk. The Longhorns got two starters returning for a second year that are expected to be NFL draft picks. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was a huge win coming back home from Ohio State. Cornerback Ryan Watts started all 13 games, and posted 51 tackles with an interceptions. And wide receiver Isaiah Neyor is back off an ACL injury, and will also be a key piece in 2023.

The latest class of transfers is another level, however. Jalen Catalon was a Freshman All-American prior to the injury bug setting in at Arkansas. Four others that were multi-year starters at the Power 5 level join Catalon. That includes wide receiver AD Mitchell, who caught eight passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns in four college football playoff games at Georgia.

Inside Texas takes a look at the transfer portal under Sarkisian and staff with the 2023 class being the best yet.

2023 transfers

AD Mitchell, WR, Junior TR (Georgia)
The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder will start at the Z wide receiver spot. Mitchell has been a playmaking force since arriving on the Forty Acres. The former Ridge Point (Texas) High and Cane Ridge (Ten.) High star posted 38 receptions for 560 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in Athens. That includes touchdown receptions in every CFP game appeared in (4), and eight catches for 149 yards in the four games.

Jalen Catalon, S, Senior TR (Arkansas) – *two years to play
Catalon will start at safety for the Longhorns. And he is the best safety with experience on the team. was a star for the Razorbacks prior to the injuries setting in. A Freshman All-American in 2020 after posting 99 tackles, four passes defended, three interceptions (one for TD). That year, he became the first SEC freshman since 2007 (Eric Berry, Tennessee) to post at least 86 tackles with three interceptions. Catalon was the only FBS freshman to post at least 95 tackles and at least three interceptions during the regular season. The former Mansfield Legacy standout enters this season with 159 career tackles and five interceptions.

Ryan Sanborn, P, Senior TR (Stanford)
Sanborn will be the starting punter. Sanborn was a two-time captain for the Cardinal, and a two-time All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2020 and 2022. He’s punted in 42 college games entering this season.

Gavin Holmes, CB, Junior TR (Wake Forest)
Holmes transferred to Texas having appeared in 28 games for the Demon Deacons, including 14 starts. He posted 46 career tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions (one for a TD) and two forced fumbles for Wake Forest. The 2022 season included 24 tackles and nine passes defended.

Trill Carter, DL, Senior TR (Minnesota) – *two years to play
The 6-foot-1, 300-pounder will play a key role for the Longhorns this season at nose guard. Carter played in 32 games with 24 starts during his career with the Golden Gophers. He was tabbed All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection by the conference’s coaches following the 2022 season. Carter enters the 2023 season with 55 tackles (29 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and three pass deflections.

2022 transfers

Quinn Ewers, QB, Sophomore TR (Ohio State)
Entering second year as the starting quarterback

Ryan Watts, CB, Senior TR (Ohio State)
Watts is entering his second season as the starting boundary corner.

Isaiah Neyor, WR, Senior TR (Wyoming)
Coming off ACL injury last season in fall camp. Running second team at Z wide receiver, and will be key piece to the passing offense in 2023.

Graduated or departed the program:
Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, LB
Tarique Milton, WR
Agiye Hall, WR
Jahleel Billingsley, TE

2021 Transfers

Keilan Robinson, RB, Senior TR (Alabama)
Has appeared in 24 games with four starts in two seasons for the Longhorns. Robinson has carried the ball 70 times for 408 yards and three touchdowns. He has added 27 receptions for 276 yards, 450 return yards on 19 touches, and emerged as a momentum changing player on special teams in 2022.

Graduated or departed the program:
Ben Davis, LB
Ray Thornton, EDGE
Ovie Oghoufo, EDGE
Devin Richardson, LB

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