Former OU TE Austin Stogner a Texas transfer target to watch

With so much movement in the NCAA Transfer Portal that could potentially impact the Texas football program and new head coach Steve Sarkisian going on this week, it’s important to watch names that could have a shot to land on the Forty Acres next year. A name that recently landed in the transfer portal that is one to watch for Texas this week is the former Oklahoma Sooners standout junior tight end Austin Stogner.

While there are some other potential landing spots for Stogner right now, it is worth noting that it would be worthwhile for the Longhorns coaching staff to at least make contact with him. Given that Texas could really use the upgrade with a proven and productive receiving tight end like Stogner, it makes sense for this staff to go after him in the portal.

According to a report from 247Sports on Nov. 30 (paid content), Stogner would likely have “a lot of interest” if Texas were to reach out to him after he put his name in the transfer portal early this week. Texas hasn’t been confirmed to make contact yet with Stogner, but it wouldn’t be surprised if they sent an offer his way in the not-too-distant future.

Texas is going to largely be relying on a pair of underclassmen in Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis, along with rising junior Jared Wiley, at tight end next year if they don’t get someone out of the transfer portal during the offseason. Since first-year Texas special teams coordinator/tight ends coach missed out on the nation’s top tight end prospect, four-star Jaleel Skinner, there’s not really a big injection of talent at the position coming in via the 2022 recruiting class.

Texas football should go after former OU TE Austin Stogner in the portal

Stogner would be able to make an immediate impact on this roster in 2022. He could come in with two years of eligibility remaining, bringing some level of sustainability at least to the Texas tight end room. That could give Sark, Banks, and the Longhorns at least one more year to get it going on the recruiting trail at the tight end position while this group has something good going on campus.

A recent report from Horns247 (paid content) on Dec. 1 mentions that Texas has yet to get in contact with Stogner since he put his name in the transfer portal on Nov. 30. That is a bit surprising, but the Texas coaching staff seems to really be taking their time in the transfer portal.

Stogner would be a very welcome addition for the Longhorns by most considerations. He’s a solid receiving tight end that had some solid seasons in Norman. Stogner registered just over 650 career receiving yards on 47 catches (13.9 yards per catch) and eight receiving touchdowns.

Adept at making good things happen after the catch and going up to get contested passes, Stogner could be a true playmaker for Texas to turn to on offense next year. Stogner caught 60 percent of the contested passes thrown his way so far this season and he’s racked up more than 130 yards after the catch in his three years in Norman.

The one issue that Stogner did face in the last couple of years is some frequent drops. He dropped roughly 11 percent of the passes that went his way so far this season. That’s not really what you want, but it’s about on pace with what Wiley and redshirt senior tight end Cade Brewer did for Texas in 2021.

Texas finished up the 2021 season with a record of 5-7 (3-6 Big 12) following a Black Friday win at home over the Kansas State Wildcats by the final score of 22-17. This is going to be a tumultuous offseason for Sark and the Longhorns after missing out on bowl season for the first time since 2016.