6 way-too-early transfer targets to watch for Texas football in 2023

Adrian Jackson, LB

Without a doubt, one of the biggest positions of need heading into next offseason for the Longhorns to address will be at linebacker. Co-DCs/LB coaches Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate will have their work cut out for them in terms of replacing the likes of senior linebackers/edge rushers DeMarvion Overshown, Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, and Ovie Oghoufo.

Texas is bound to turn to the portal to replace some of the production that will be lost in this position group on the defensive side of the ball.

And one early name that sticks out to me that could help replace some of the losses that Texas will experience along the front seven next year is the former blue-chip recruit and Oregon Ducks redshirt junior edge rusher/outside linebacker Adrian Jackson.

There won’t be many hybrid linebackers/edge rushers that have as much potential as Jackson as a pass rusher that emerges in the portal next offseason. The 6-foot-3 and 235-pound Jackson would likely be best fit to replace Oghoufo in the buck end role.

Jackson is a gifted pass rusher that has a quick first step off the line of scrimmage and has more than enough sideline-to-sideline speed to chase down the ball carrier in run defense. He’s also got the power and strength to set the edge in run defense.

I like what Jackson could bring to the table out of the portal as someone who could compete for starting reps at the buck end spot right away for the Longhorns in 2023.

Joshua Braun, IOL

Offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and the Longhorns might not be very inclined to target offensive linemen in the portal next offseason given the plethora of talent for this position group that arrived/will arrive via the recruiting trail in the last two cycles. Flood and the Longhorns did an excellent job of piling up a lot of depth and talent along the offensive line during the 2022 and 2023 recruiting cycles.

But Texas might still want to add another body or two in the trenches by way of the portal in 2023. Thanks to the possible departures of senior interior offensive lineman Junior Angilau and senior offensive tackle Christian Jones next offseason, Texas might want to find another experienced player to sure up this group.

And the best and most proven interior offensive lineman to appear in the portal so far this fall is the former Florida Gators 6-foot-6 and 350-pound redshirt sophomore Josh Braun.

The brother of former Texas graduate transfer and senior offensive lineman Parker Braun, Josh is a big-bodied IOL that could add some experience and depth to the interior next year.

In just over a couple dozen offensive snaps this season, Braun showed flashes and proved that he is continuing to take incremental steps to improve as a guard. He is a decent pass blocker that can hold his own against bigger interior defensive linemen. But he still has some strides to make as an interior run blocker and a pulling guard.

All in all, I think Braun could be a worthy portal target for Flood and the Longhorns if Angilau decides to leave Texas next offseason and the struggles along the interior offensive line continue down the stretch this season.