5 former Texas football transfers that the Longhorns will face in 2023

Byron Vaughns, EDGE*

New school: Baylor

Since he transferred from Texas during the 2021 offseason, redshirt senior edge rusher Byron Vaughns doesn’t technically fit the criteria for this list among the former Longhorns portal departures. Yet, the fact that Vaughn is coming back to the Big 12 to play for the Baylor Bears this fall, it’s worth mentioning him on this list.

Vaughns originally played two seasons at Texas before putting his name in the transfer portal a couple of years ago. He transferred to the Mountain West to play for the Utah State Aggies during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

During his time at Utah State, Vaughns became an impact edge rusher, receiving All-MWC Honorable Mention honors once and the MWC Championship Game MVP in 2021. Vaughns registered 61 quarterback pressures and 19.5 tackles for loss in two seasons at Utah State (second-most on the team) and seven sacks (third on the team).

Despite having two productive seasons coming off the edge for Utah State, Vaughns decided to transfer to his third school this offseason. Vaughns transferred to Baylor, where he’ll look to win the starting job at the jack position.

If Vaughns wins the starting job at the jack position for Baylor this fall, head coach Dave Aranda and the Bears will have a lot of experience at EDGE/DE. Between the projected starters at jack and defensive end (senior defensive end TJ Franklin), the Bears will boast over 130 quarterback pressures and 16 sacks.

Texas will face Baylor in each team’s Big 12 opener on Sep. 24 at McLane Stadium in Waco.