As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their rivalry game this weekend against the No.3 Texas A&M Aggies, they're also preparing for some of their top players' final games in Austin. Senior day at DKR is always a sad time for certain members of team, but it also means that it's going to be an extra rowdy, raucous atmosphere chock full of Longhorns fans.
Yes, it's the final regular season game for the Seniors, but it could also be the final regular season game for some underclassmen as well depending on what they decide to do going forward.
Though it's never really certain what's going to happen in the college football world, there are at least signs that a handful of players could be leaving the team following the 2025 season.
Here are five players who could leave the team in 2026, either via the transfer portal or NFL Draft:
1. WR Aaron Butler
Butler had a lot of hype after he strung together some impressive performances in the spring, but he hasn't been able to see the field much in 2025. With the amount of young talent that the Longhorns have in the wide receiver room, it'll be hard for a player like Butler to breakout.
The entire receiver group will be back in 2026, and it would be surprising if Butler doesn't hit the transfer portal in January.
2. LB Anthony Hill Jr.
As of right now, NFL teams are absolutely drooling over Hill Jr.'s skillset and a lot of 2026 NFL Draft boards already have him as one of the top ranked linebackers in the class. If he declares (which is probable), he'll undoubtedly be one of the top overall defensive players in the draft.
With how high his value currently is, and the rumblings on the street, he'll most likely be gone in 2026.
3. TE Spencer Shannon
Shannon is a huge target, but similar to Aaron Butler's situation, the tight end room is just way too packed for him to shine at Texas. The Longhorns also have 2-3 younger players at the position that are ahead of him on the depth chart, and it'll most likely stay that way heading into 2026.
There's a very good chance that he'll also hit the transfer portal soon.
4. S Jelani McDonald
Though McDonald is only a junior like Anthony Hill, his NFL prospects have been starting to blow up as of late. He's such a great athlete, and his skillset is incredibly conducive to a high-level pro safety. He's vicious against the run and has improved quite a bit in coverage this year.
If he grades out well by the NFL Advisory Committee, he'll probably declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
5. RB James Simon
This one might be surprising to some seeing as he's only a true freshman and he's performed pretty well in 2025. The deciding factor here might be the simple fact that Texas is already oozing with blue-chip players in the running back room as it is, and they're adding another in 2026 in Derrek Cooper.
As of right now, the projected RB room for 2026 is:
- Quintrevion Wisner (possible NFL Draft declaration)
- C.J. Baxter
- Christian Clark
- Derrek Cooper
- James Simon
- Rickey Stewart Jr.
- Carson Berger
- Jett Walker
One or maybe even two of these players are guaranteed to transfer out, and James Simon might have the most to gain by doing so. He's talented enough to start at a good amount of other P4 schools, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him take that route in 2026.