Texas football targeting priority Purdue WR transfer Deion Burks

Plenty of potential targets emerged for Texas football at a key position of need at wide receiver on the first day of the December window opening for the NCAA Transfer Portal. Many high-profile players around the FBS entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4, giving Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian some targets to scout in the coming weeks.

Among the most intriguing targets for Sark and the Longhorns that emerged in the transfer portal on Day 1 of the underclassman window on Dec. 4 was the former Purdue Boilermakers leading receiver and redshirt sophomore Deion Burks.

The third-year breakout receiver for the Boilermakers, Burks, received offers from multiple Power Five schools upon entering the portal early this week.

Texas football reportedly expressing interest in Purdue transfer WR Deion Burks

On3 reported on Dec. 4 that the Miami Hurricanes, USC Trojans, Utah Utes, Washington Huskies, Oregon Ducks, and Texas have all “expressed interest and offered” him since he entered the portal this week.

Burks has garnered a ton of hype upon entering the transfer portal on Dec. 4. He is a skilled 5-foot-11 and 185-pound receiver with excellent quickness, route-running ability, and NFL upside. Burks is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft next spring, but he is expected to return to school for at least one more season to develop his game and improve his draft stock.

He burst onto the scene this season with a breakout game in the opener against the Fresno State Bulldogs with over 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

He was easily Purdue’s most-targeted wide receiver this season, reeling in 47 catches on 96 targets for 629 receiving yards (13.4 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns.

Wideout a top focus for Texas in the portal this cycle

Sark, wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, and the Longhorns will likely add multiple wideouts via the transfer portal this offseason. Texas is expected to lose multiple starting receivers, including junior Xavier Worthy, junior Adonai Mitchell, and redshirt senior Jordan Whittington, to the NFL Draft in 2024.

Texas has a few returning wideouts on the roster who can compete for starting jobs in camp next year. But Texas is also expected to add some immediate impact receivers via the transfer portal this offseason.