3 new transfer targets for Texas at outset of spring camp

Jarvis Brownlee, CB

Among the most underrated defensive backs worth noting in the transfer portal at this point of the offseason is one that the Longhorns should definitely be looking into. The former Florida State Seminoles rapidly improving junior cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. could definitely be a name to watch for the Longhorns out of the portal this spring.

Brownlee just finished up the most productive and efficient season of his collegiate career to date last year. He ranked in the top 10th percentile of ACC defensive backs in terms of overall defensive grade and grade in run defense last season.

And Brownlee was effective in pass coverage, registering four pass breakups, two interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown) while allowing just four passing touchdowns in coverage assignments. Anytime you come up with more interceptions and pass breakups combined compared with passing touchdowns, you’re doing something pretty good.

Moreover, maybe the most indicative metric of how much Brownlee has improved year-over-year since the 2019 campaign is the NFL QBR he’s allowed in pass coverage assignments. Brownlee allowed a career-best 85.6 QBR in pass coverage assignments last season, which was good to finish in the top 10th percentile of all ACC corners.

When you take a deeper dive into the metrics, it’s easy to see the value that Brownlee can bring to the table as a versatile defensive back out of the portal.

And with Brownlee still having three years of eligibility remaining in his collegiate career, he could serve long-term value for the Longhorns’ defensive backfield starting this fall.

Yet, Brownlee would still likely run into stiff competition with the likes of Watts and Jamison in terms of earning starting reps among the two primary corners right away this year. That might be the biggest hold-up to the idea of the Longhorns pursuing him out of the portal.