3 new transfer portal entrants Texas should be pursuing

Enock Makonzo, LB

There won’t be many more interesting linebackers that you will find in the transfer portal this offseason than the former Coastal Carolina Chanticleers All-Sun Belt redshirt senior Enock Makonzo. The Quebec, Canada, native is definitely one of the most underrated defensive players in the transfer portal right now.

And while Makonzo is a more recent transfer portal entrant compared to Newton, he is still one that should be brought to more people’s attention thanks to the production he’s racked up in the last few seasons. Makonzo flew under the radar since the start of the 2020 season on his way to becoming one of the most productive and efficient linebackers in the Group of Five.

Makonzo is also an extraordinarily versatile linebacker/Spur that can play in a variety of different looks for most defenses around the country.

I will note that the problem with pursuing Makonzo could potentially be the scheme fit under Pete Kwiatkowski. This is where the player evaluation ability of Gary Patterson could come in handy if Texas announces that hire soon.

Scheme fit will be a question mark with someone like Makonzo. He might be an unnatural fit in a spot like will or mike linebacker. And senior Anthony Cook already has his spot in the secondary locked up. But there could be a hybrid role out there for Makonzo if the staff finds value in what he brings to the table.

It’s just hard to ignore the production from Makonzo in the last two seasons. Since the start of the 2020 season, Makonzo registered 145 combined tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, two-dozen quarterback pressures, 60 stops, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

Makonzo might be the most underrated linebacker in the portal right now given the fact that he is one of the two highest-graded linebackers out of the Sun Belt from the last two seasons. Texas should at least scout out what he could bring to the table for them.