Former Texas LB Caleb Johnson back in the transfer portal

For the second time in his collegiate career to date, the former JUCO transfer and ex-Texas football linebacker Caleb Johnson has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Johnson only spent one year playing for Texas before he put his name in the transfer portal for the first time a few offseasons ago.

After his first go-around in the transfer portal, Johnson would find his next landing spot with head coach Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins. And that really seemed like it was a good fit for both Johnson and the Bruins as he was one of the most productive and underrated linebackers during the 2020 campaign in the PAC-12.

During the 2020 season, Johnson racked up an impressive 44 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery. And that all came in a span of just seven games played in the midst of the shortened COVID-19 season.

But Johnson largely hit a wall last season as his production dipped significantly. He registered 45 combined tackles, no sacks, no tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups, no forced fumbles, and no fumble recoveries last season.

Former Texas football LB Caleb Johnson grad transferring from UCLA

Part of the reason why Johnson saw his stats dip significantly in terms of sacks and tackles for loss was because UCLA utilized him less at the line of scrimmage setting the edge and rushing the passer. By way of him taking on more important assignments in pass coverage, Johnson was bound to see his sacks and tackles for loss decline.

Yet, Johnson still seems bound to find greener pastures elsewhere. He is going to be a highly-sought after linebacker in the portal given his versatility, experience, and proven production in the last couple of seasons.

It’s worth asking whether Pete Kwiatkowski and the Longhorns would consider pursuing Johnson out of the portal this offseason given their need at the linebacker position. Texas could use a versatile and proven linebacker such as Johnson to occupy the middle of the field.

But that would also require Johnson to have interest in returning to Texas after leaving the program just a couple of years ago.

During his one season with Texas, Johnson wasn’t really able to take any meaningful game snaps. But it was less than two years ago that he was one of the breakout defensive players shining in the PAC-12.