Predicting Texas’ next transfer portal addition after Jahleel Billingsley

Lorenzo McCaskill, LB

As far as the widely-known transfer portal targets for the Longhorns are concerned, it looks like some of the names mentioned on this list already are about it. Texas put a lot of priority into the pursuit of transfers like the former Oklahoma Sooners freshman wide receiver and five-star recruit Mario Williams and Sanders in the last week or so.

The same can definitely be said for the likes of Billingsley, Moody, and Mathis. But Texas did wind up missing out on Sanders and Williams this week. As previously mentioned, Sanders committed to Arkansas on Jan. 16. And Williams committed to former Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans on Jan. 15.

At this point, it looks like Texas is going to have to address a shorter list of positional needs in the transfer portal. Wide receiver, edge rusher, and linebacker look to be the top remaining priorities out of the portal.

This is why I think it would be smart for Texas to pursue a proven linebacker that is in the portal right now that can make an immediate impact on this defensive front. That looks to be what the former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns standout redshirt junior linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill could bring to the table for the Longhorns.

There are some programs out there that look to have made early contact to open up lines of communication with McCaskill including USC and the Mizzou Tigers. If Texas wanted to get in on a proven linebacker like McCaskill, it looks like it would need to happen soon.

But this is something worth noting for the Longhorns in terms of their pursuit of linebackers out of the portal. With how Texas struck out in 2021 in the portal at linebacker with guys like Ray Thornton and Ben Davis, it might be worth taking a shot on a more proven upperclassman such as McCaskill.

During his four years playing for Louisiana, McCaskill registered 240 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He also had a missed tackle rate below six percent during the 2021 season, which would be a welcome presence for this Texas defensive front.