Terrance Brooks, CB (Illinois)
The only consistent starter the Longhorns lost to the transfer portal last offseason was sophomore cornerback Terrance Brooks. The former four-star recruit from Little Elm High School in Texas who the Longhorns flipped from Ohio State late in the 2022 cycle transferred from Texas to Illinois during the 2024 offseason.
Brooks has not made the splash impact on the Illinois secondary that was expected of him when the Illini got him from the portal. Brooks played a career-low 156 defensive snaps for Illinois in 2024.
Verdict: Sunk
Kitan Crawford, S (Nevada)
Senior safety Kitan Crawford had a career year for the Nevada Wolf Pack, posting a career-high 74.7 defensive grade as a key starter in their secondary in 2024. He earned Honorable Mention All-MWC honors for Nevada, registering a career-high 76 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Crawford joined former Texas co-DC/LB coach Jeff Choate as the head coach for Nevada for the 2024 season.
Verdict: Starred
Larry Turner-Gooden, S (San Jose State)
Former four-star recruit who signed with the Longhorns in the 2022 class, sophomore defensive back Larry Turner-Gooden contributed on defense and special teams in his first season with the San Jose State Spartans in the MWC in 2024.
Turner-Gooden earned a bigger role, playing over a dozen defensive snaps in three conference games for San Jose State's defense late in the regular season.
Verdict: Too early to call
BJ Allen Jr., S (North Texas)
Sophomore safety BJ Allen Jr. was a rotational defensive back for the North Texas Mean Green while contributing to the special teams unit with the kick and punt coverage units. Allen also earned a bigger role for the North Texas secondary late in the 2024 season.
Verdict: Too early to call
X'Avion Brice, CB (North Texas)
Cornerback X'Avion Brice was a late-cycle flip for the Longhorns from the Sooners in the 2022 recruiting class. Brice didn't play any defensive snaps for North Texas in 2024. He played seven games for the Mean Green as a special teams contributor with kick and punt coverage units.