Texas Football: Longhorns lose first WR to portal in Casey Cain

The first wide receiver from Texas football to declare his intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal in the December window is redshirt sophomore Casey Cain. On Dec. 7, Cain’s plans to enter the transfer portal were announced on social media.

On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported the news that Cain intends to enter the transfer portal in this cycle.

Cain spent three seasons at Texas, registering nine career catches for 214 receiving yards (23.8 yards per catch). He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Cain is the fifth Longhorns player to announce they’re entering the portal heading into the offseason. He is also the first Texas wideout to enter the portal.

The other four Longhorns players who have entered the portal are junior interior offensive lineman Sawyer Goram-Welch, senior safety Jalen Catalon, sophomore safety BJ Allen Jr., and redshirt freshman cornerback X’Avion Brice.

Third-year Texas football WR Casey Cain plans to enter the transfer portal

The most productive season Cain had at Texas was last fall. He played in all 13 games for the Longhorns last season (starting in three). Cain’s best game came against the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl last year, where he registered a career-best four catches for over 100 receiving yards (27.0 yards per catch).

Texas could lose two boundary receivers with live-game experience this offseason

Cain’s playing time was more limited this fall due to Texas bringing in more depth at boundary receiver via the transfer portal last offseason, with the former Georgia Bulldog Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell emerged as a breakout star this season, earning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors with over 800 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns.

Texas is expected to lose all three starting wideouts to the NFL Draft next spring. Mitchell, along with redshirt senior slot receiver Jordan Whittington and junior field receiver Xavier Worthy, will likely all have to be replaced via recruiting from high school and the portal or with the players who are expected to return to school next season.

Suppose Cain doesn’t return to Texas from the portal in 2024. In that case, redshirt junior and former Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor will be the only boundary receiver left on the roster who is expected to return next season and has live-game experience at the FBS level.