People were shocked, and hearts were broken when news broke that Texas wide receiver Parker Livingstone had entered the transfer portal.
Beyond being the Longhorns' WR3 and earning the second-most receiving touchdowns on the team last season, he was best known for being best friends and roommates with quarterback Arch Manning.
Despite all of that, he entered the portal, and then it was even more shocking and painful when the Texas native committed to none other than the Oklahoma Sooners, one of the Horns' most bitter rivals.
Now, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables just made matters worse with his most recent take on Livingstone.
"I think if it was all said and done, he’d still be a Texas Longhorn, but today’s new modern college football created an opportunity… and we’re glad to have him," Venables said.
Steve Sarkisian let a good one go in Parker Livingstone
Venables' comment on Livingstone truly makes it sound like there was a real reason for Livingstone leaving the Horns, whether it be money, playing time, or something else.
Rumors started circulating that Livingstone hadn't even gone to Oklahoma for more money, with reports that the Sooners had offered him just as much NIL money as the Longhorns had. And, while at Texas, he was earning snaps on every offensive drive, even as a freshman.
Somehow, for some reason, Sarkisian and the Horns let him go.
"Never in a million years did I think I would be going into the portal looking for a new home. Some things are out of my control. Such is the reality of the ever-changing landscape of college football. Emptied my tank every day for this great university, my teammates, & all of the good folks of Texas. Grateful," Livingstone even wrote on his goodbye message to Longhorn nation.
Until Livingstone decides to share his exact reasoning, Texas fans might never truly know what made the young wideout feel like leaving his home-state team for its biggest rival.
Brent Venables was asked about Parker Livingstone in Destin yesterday.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) May 27, 2026
“I think if it was all said and done, he’d still be a Texas Longhorn, but today’s new modern college football created an opportunity… and we’re glad to have him.”https://t.co/3SHK5cCwbu
When the Red River Rivalry takes place this season, it will be a true test of whether or not it was the right decision.
Instead of Manning, who is the expected No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, Livingstone will have John Mateer slinging the ball to him. Now, Mateer isn't a bad quarterback, by any means, but he's no Arch Manning after all.
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