Brad Spence, LB
Former Arkansas Razorbacks sophomore linebacker Brad Spence was Texas's second portal commitment of the week and the first of two the Longhorns got on Saturday (Dec. 14).
Spence played 23 games over the past two seasons for Arkansas' defensive front, registering 70 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback pressures, 32 defensive stops, one interception (returned for a touchdown), one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery.
Texas needed to add linebacker depth to compliment what is returning at the position alongside sophomores Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau next season. Spence gives the Longhorns multiple years of proven experience playing in the SEC at Arkansas.
He also brings versatility and a physical edge to Texas's front seven at the linebacker position. Spence, at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, has the strength and play recognition on defense to quickly diagnose plays and get to where he needs to be in range of hitting the ball carrier and getting them down to the ground.
The only reason why I have Spence's grade in the B range is because we don't know whether he'll be able to play middle or weakside linebacker for the Longhorns yet. If Spence is playing as a hybrid backer or at the sam spot for Texas's defensive front, that probably means the Longhorns still have to find another portal linebacker to fill out this position group for the upcoming offseason.