Liona Lefau truly came into his own this season as the third-year linebacker amassed a career-high 68 total tackles for the Texas Longhorns.
Playing alongside stars like Michael Taaffe and Anthony Hill Jr., it was beyond impressive that Lefau became as beloved by the Horns as he did. Then, just two weeks before Texas played in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Lefau broke everyone's hearts.
Despite his three-year tenure at Texas, the veteran linebacker announced he planned to enter the transfer portal when it opened at the beginning of January.
Another Texas defensive star to hit portal
This news broke a few hours after Taaffe announced he had opted out of the bowl game and would declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and was just the latest of the departures that continued to rock the Longhorns' defensive squad.
Texas LB Liona Lefau has left the team and is expected to enter the @transferportal, @InsideTexas has learned.
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) December 15, 2025
STORY (FREE): https://t.co/dlwFNKBC1y pic.twitter.com/OYQxEq6lwl
Lefau joined defensive backs Wardell Mack (cornerback) and Derek Williams Jr. (safety), who had announced earlier in the postseason that they planned to enter the transfer portal as well.
The offense had also experienced quite a few hits to the depth chart, as backup quarterback Trey Owens and elite running back CJ Baxter announced they planned to hit the portal, as well as interior offensive lineman Connor Stroh and wide receiver Aaron Butler.
With players declaring for the NFL Draft and many veterans deciding to hit the transfer portal, the Longhorns' depth chart continued to look younger and younger as the 2026 season crept into focus.
Lefau had yet to comment on the report when Inside Texas, On Texas Football, and Rivals all started to share the news of his departure. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian also had yet to comment on his departure.