3 transfer portal targets that are now on Texas’ radar

Darius Joiner, S

For the last week or so, one of the newer transfer portal targets actually emerging for Sark and the Longhorns is the former All-American Western Illinois senior safety Darius Joiner. Texas looks to already be in contact with Joiner at this point of the offseason.

Texas might wait it out to see which other safety targets emerge in the transfer portal. But this coaching staff jumping on the opportunity to target Joiner in the portal this soon after he put his name on the market goes to show that they’re probably going to prioritize his recruitment.

Texas is seemingly prioritizing defensive back depth ahead of the start of spring ball. There is more to speak of in terms of defensive back depth for the Longhorns after the addition of the former Ohio State Buckeyes redshirt freshman cornerback Ryan Watts and multiple blue-chip DB’s from the 2022 signing class.

But it still looks like Texas is seeking help among more proven safeties by way of the transfer portal. Joiner would certainly be a notable presence in the back end of the Texas defense if they could get a commitment from him out of the transfer portal.

Joiner would definitely be vying for starting reps right away if he picks Texas out of the portal. He’s a physical and versatile 6-foot-2 and 200-pound safety that can do a little bit of everything. That became evident as he registered more than 140 tackles with Western Illinois last season.