Texas Football: 3 updated NCAA Transfer Portal Longhorns targets

The North Carolina Tar Heels will have a lot of roster movement potentially heading into a 2020 season that has a lot on the line for former Texas head coach Mack Brown. Last year, the Tar Heels saw a real breakthrough with true freshman sensation signal caller Sam Howell leading the way. And North Carolina will be one of the dark horse picks to win the ACC this coming season.

There was a sizable loss to their situation in the trenches recently, though, when former four-star recruit and 6-foot-4 and 305 pound offensive guard Avery Jones. This rising redshirt sophomore and Havelock, NC, native was one of the more highly touted guards coming out of high school during the 2018 recruiting cycle.

Jones saw limited action with the Tar Heels last season, largely thanks to an experienced set of guards along the offensive line ahead of him on the depth chart. But he looked to challenge for more playing time, possibly even a starting role down the road, this season. That’s why this is a sizable loss if the Tar Heels do lose him.

Jones’ name was added to the transfer portal earlier this month and he has yet to find another landing spot.

Last season, Jones did get to play in a few games. His season debut came in a win over FCS Mercer. But this could be the opportunity Jones could be looking for if the Longhorns could deliver a starting role for two or three years for him. He has the promise to standout on the Forty Acres. During his recruitment, Jones ranked as the nation’s No. 285 2018 high school prospect, No. 13 offensive guard, and No. 12 prospect out of North Carolina.

The 247Sports recruiting ranking was much better for Jones out of Havelock High School than his composite. He was the No. 4 offensive guard in the 247Sports rankings.