Texas Football: 3 difference-makers Sark could find in the portal

Reynard Ellis, LB

Among the truly underrated linebackers available in the transfer portal this offseason around the college football landscape is the former Georgia Southern Eagles standout junior Reynard Ellis. In some respects, Ellis is truly one of the best finds that no one is talking about in the portal at this point in time.

Texas did already pick up one linebacker from a non-Power Five program out of the transfer portal this offseason in the former New Mexico State Aggies product Richardson. It might seem like a lot for the Longhorns to get another non-Power Five product like Ellis, but again in terms of making an impact right away, this could be the guy.

Ellis’ production during his two years playing for Georgia Southern was very solid. He registered an impressive 137 career combined tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. His production during his time at Georgia Southern is unquestioned, and his physical tools are underrated with his 6-foot-2 and 230-pound frame.

In ways, Ellis was an analytical marvel for the Eagles last season. He only missed roughly 10 percent of his tackles, which is a good number for someone that took more than 90 percent of his snaps lining up in the box. And a good bulk of his snaps resulted in defending running plays. Some other truly impressive numbers for Ellis included 80 career stops at Georgia Southern, 30 quarterback pressures, along with having no passing touchdowns allowed in coverage assignments last season.