Breaking down 3 new portal targets Texas is interested in this spring
Caleb Johnson, LB
Middle linebacker might be the biggest positional need for the Longhorns to address in the transfer portal for the remainder of the offseason. Not only is Texas thin at this spot in terms of depth, but they also could really use a player that could bring more proven production and efficiency to the table than the players at this position currently on campus.
That is where Texas could find a really impactful player in the former UCLA Bruins senior linebacker and ex-JUCO transfer Caleb Johnson. This former All-PAC-12 linebacker and Texas commit (during his recruitment out of JUCO) is a familiar face for Longhorns fans that paid attention during the 2019 recruiting cycle.
Johnson was enrolled with Texas for nearly a year until he entered the transfer portal and joined head coach Chip Kelly and the Bruins in the PAC-12 South.
That’s where Johnson proved the versatility and productivity he could bring to the table playing at the middle linebacker position. Johnson was a model of consistency at middle linebacker for the Bruins in the last two seasons.
On paper, though, Johnson was statistically more impressive during the 2020 campaign compared to last year. But he actually had the better defensive grade and was more effective in pass coverage assignments last season.
Johnson was a very effective linebacker in terms of generating pressure on the quarterback and stuffing the ball carrier in each of the last two seasons. He is quick to diagnose plays (as evidenced in UCLA’s win over the LSU Tigers early last season) and is fast enough to the ball carrier to bring them down before they can really get anywhere.
In the last two seasons combined, Johnson led the Bruins linebackers in terms of run stuffs (25) and was second in quarterback pressures (34). Johnson also had a solid pressure rate from the last two seasons (19.7). That is a much better pressure rate than any other linebacker for the Longhorns in the last two seasons among the players returning in 2022.
Johnson was also the highest-graded linebacker in pass defense last season for the Bruins. He didn’t allow a single passing touchdown while posting two interceptions and four pass breakups in three-dozen targets in pass coverage assignments since 2020.
Next. 3 spring transfers that can turn Texas into a Big 12 Title contender. dark
If Texas was able to nab a commitment out of the portal from Johnson, he would likely be the favorite right away to win a starting job at middle linebacker alongside returning super senior Demarvion Overshown. I would expect Johnson to be able to beat out the likes of Luke Brockermeyer and Jaylan Ford in camp this offseason if he returned to Texas.