Texas Football: 3 updated defensive transfer portal targets

Highly touted recruits are a good way to go for the Longhorns in the transfer portal. If nothing else, they could at least exact the potential of those previous blue chip recruits in a new look system under two recently hired coordinators. In the case of this list, the Longhorns could make the best use of the new scheme under the direction of recently hired defensive coordinator Chris Ash.

A good place to start for the Longhorns would be the former Alabama Crimson Tide four-star recruit and rising junior linebacker Markail Benton. Coming out of Central High School in Phenix City, AL, Benton ranked as the nation’s No. 100 2017 high school prospect, No. 7 outside linebacker, and No. 4 prospect out of Alabama (247Sports Composite).

Benton held offers from the likes of the Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, Tennessee Volunteers, and USC Trojans. Texas was not one of the nearly 20 programs he had on his offer sheet.

The Longhorns need help at the linebacker position and Benton could be the answer they’re looking for. The 6-foot-2 and 235 pound outside linebacker didn’t get an overwhelming opportunity to make an impact under head coach Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide. He played in 15 games where he had some level of production at Alabama.

Benton registered 33 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection, in his two years playing for the Crimson Tide.