4 important transfer portal targets to watch for Texas in February

Ochaun Mathis, DE/EDGE

The transfer that Longhorns fans should be most familiar with at this point of the offseason that remains uncommitted is the former TCU Horned Frogs two-time All-Big 12 defensive end/edge rusher and senior Ochaun Mathis. Texas looked to be going after Mathis in the transfer portal essentially since he first entered nearly one month ago.

I would prefer for the Longhorns to be able to get a commitment out of the transfer portal from Mathis compared to another edge rusher/defensive end such as the former Miami (OH) senior Butler. But either would be able to help the Longhorns to more effectively rush the passer right away in 2022.

Mathis would likely have Texas named as a top school if he did come out with one. But that doesn’t mean that this recruitment out of the portal is going to be a slam dunk for the Longhorns coaching staff. Despite adding the former longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson to the defensive coaching staff this offseason, Texas is still going to have to work through this patient process with Mathis in the portal.

Texas is really looking to address their need at the edge rusher position. And it’s likely that this big board with this position group starts with Mathis. Not being able to land a commitment out of the portal from Mathis would have to be considered a failure for the Longhorns.

But there are going to be other schools courting Mathis. Texas has to do their best to keep the communication consistent with Mathis as we get closer and closer to his graduation in Fort Worth come the end of spring/early summer.