3 possible Texas portal targets as winter window closes

New names have appeared in the transfer portal this week for Texas at key positions of need for each side of the ball who could upgrade the roster before the winter portal window closes.

Makhi Hughes
Makhi Hughes | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
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Keanu Tanuvasa
Keanu Tanuvasa | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Keanu Tanuvasa, DT (Utah)

Texas's top priority in the transfer portal among experienced and proven transfer defensive tackles as the winter transfer deadline approaches on Dec. 28 is former Utah Utes redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa.

Tanuvasa was a multi-year starter for Utah's defensive line, registering 50 career combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, 32 quarterback pressures, eight QB hits, 29 defensive stops, six batted balls, and one forced fumble.

Despite only playing seven games for the Utes in the 2024 season, Tanuvasa received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors for the defensive line.

Tanuvasa was recruited by Johnny Nansen when he was the defensive line coach for the UCLA Bruins a few years ago. Texas needs this type of proven and disruptive defensive tackle who can give the Longhorns' defensive front seven valuable and productive snaps at three or five-tech in the trenches for 2025.

Inside Texas reports that Texas has recently contacted Tanuvasa since he officially entered the transfer portal on Dec. 23.

The BYU Cougars are considered to be the current favorite in Tanuvasa's portal recruitment. But don't rule out the Longhorns to potentially get Tanuvasa to campus for a visit in the coming weeks as Texas looks to add more proven bodies to the defensive line for the upcoming offseason.

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