Texas football has filled a handful of positional needs during the winter portal window early this offseason. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and Texas added three immediate-impact defensive tackles from the winter portal, along with linebacker help and a special teams upgrade for the punting unit with former Utah transfer Jack Bouwmeester.
Pinpointing where Texas football needs to upgrade depth on offense and the secondary this offseason
The Longhorns mostly addressed needs positionally on the defensive side of the ball during the winter portal in December and early January for this 2025 offseason. There is still a group of offensive portal needs, and maybe a couple of more needs to address on defense, too, this upcoming spring.
Sarkisian has been high on Texas's portal additions thus far, noting the example that Purdue transfer defensive tackle brings more proven depth and experience where the Longhorns need it on defense.
"For Cole, as we know, with the attrition on the defensive line for us this year, with some guys that have transferred and the amount of seniors that we have on our defensive line, although I thought we did a great job in recruiting it out of the high school ranks, this is probably going to be another cycle when we talk about when you go into the portal. "Steve Sarkisian on Cole Brevard
Here are three of the biggest remaining positional needs for the Longhorns to address in the coming months for the spring portal.
Defensive back
Last offseason, the Longhorns added immediate safety help from the transfer portal in Clemson safety transfer Andrew Mukuba.
Adding a starting cornerback and/or more safety depth are important needs for the Longhorns to address in the spring portal. Texas loses Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron to the NFL Draft this spring. You could start senior Jaylon Guilbeau over at corner for 2025, or give to-be sophomore Kobe Black a chance to win the starting job in camp.
Wide receiver
Texas's two top wide receivers, Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden, are going to the NFL Draft this spring. Sarkisian and Chris Jackson have made it known that adding a starting-caliber receiver from the transfer portal is a priority for the skill positions this offseason for 2025.
Getting a wideout who can bring experience and a proven threat out of the slot or on the outside would be impactful for Sarkisian and the Longhorns' offense this fall.
Running back
Texas's running back depth is a bit concerning heading into spring ball. Sophomore CJ Baxter Jr. has a tough injury history coming off a season-ending knee injury last fall camp. Freshman running back Christian Clark is also recovering from a season-ending lower-body injury for a torn Achilles.
Combining the injury history with Jaydon Blue leaving early for the 2025 NFL Draft this spring, I think the Longhorns need to consider adding more proven depth to the running back room in the spring portal to alleviate injury and consistency issues for this position group.