Adding experienced depth to the front seven on defense
Within the first week of hosting visitors in the winter portal, the Longhorns added two defensive transfers at positions of need along the front seven, including the interior defensive line and linebacker position.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the Longhorns' portal additions who have gotten the opportunity to practice with the team in Peach Bowl preparation and game-planning in the past week.
"What a unique experience for them to join us now and to have even a couple of transfers now with us in Cole and Brad. We need it. We’re still trying to practice, and we got hit pretty good from a portal perspective on that front seven. We tried to backfill it with some of these faces now, but it’s good to see those guys. Very early stages."Steve Sarkisian
Former Purdue Boilermakers senior grad transfer defensive tackle Cole Brevard is an addition who brings valuable proven experience and size to the trenches along the defensive front seven for the Longhorns in the SEC.
Ex-Arkansas Razorbacks sophomore transfer linebacker Brad Spence gives Texas proven SEC experience and versatility for the linebacker corps for the 2025 season. Spence has multiple years of eligibility remaining, and the Longhorns can utilize his pass-rush ability and ability to drop back into pass coverage to help the depth up front.
Texas senior defensive tackle Bill Norton said that Brevard has looked the part in practice for the Longhorns this postseason.
"We've got to watch him [Cole Brevard] practice a little bit. I think he's gonna be a great addition to this defensive line."Bill Norton on Cole Brevard
Sophomore standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has also been impressed with how Spence has looked in postseason practice in the last week or two for Texas.
"When I first seen him, he looked real rocked up. I said, 'Oh man, he look like he gonna be a good football player for us'."Anthony Hill Jr. on Brad Spence
Texas is looking to add at least two or three more proven and experience defensive tackles from the transfer portal for the upcoming offseason. And depending on where Spence fits along the defensive front, the Longhorns could also be in the market for another proven transfer linebacker from the portal.