3 spring transfers that can turn Texas into a Big 12 Title contender
Caleb Johnson, LB
Among the latest transfer portal entrants to emerge on the radar for co-defensive coordinators/linebackers coaches Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate this spring is the former Texas and UCLA Bruins senior linebacker Caleb Johnson. This is a former JUCO transfer and Texas commit/enrollee that apparently has interest in the Longhorns and Miami Hurricanes out of the transfer portal this spring.
And it really looks like this recruitment out of the transfer portal could move very fast for the Longhorns. Johnson is already looking to get a visit on the books with Texas in the next week or so. And he already has a visit scheduled with new head coach Mario Cristobal and the Canes for next weekend.
Texas doesn’t have many positions of need bigger than linebacker in terms of where they need to add depth at this point of the offseason.
Moreover, Johnson would be able to help the Longhorns immediately fill that aforementioned big need at the linebacker position this offseason. More specifically, Johnson could give Texas an immediate impact player that could start at either mike or will linebacker.
It was Johnson’s versatility and playmaking ability in terms of rushing the passer, stopping the run, and dropping back in pass coverage assignments that showed what he could do over the course of the last two seasons. Not only was Johnson one of the highest-graded linebackers in pass coverage, but he also had one of the five best pressure rates among middle linebackers in the PAC-12 in the last two years.
Johnson registered nearly 35 quarterback pressures in the last two seasons on around 170 snaps in the pass rush. And he came up with four pass breakups and two interceptions in the last two seasons while not allowing a single passing touchdown in pass coverage assignments on a whopping three-dozen targets.
It’s clear that Johnson could make an impact in a number of different areas for this group of linebackers this year. But it’s his proven versatility and fit with in a spot of need for this linebacking corps that should get Texas fans excited if he does decide to give his commitment to the Longhorns out of the portal this offseason.