3 bigs Texas is targeting in the portal in early May

JT Toppin, F

The big fish for the Longhorns among frontcourt players in the portal late this spring is the former New Mexico Lobos standout true freshman power forward JT Toppin. The reigning Mountain West Newcomer of the Year was one of the top mid-major power forwards among true freshman last season.

Toppin was a sensational low-post player that helped New Mexico rank fourth in Division 1 college hoops in paint scoring. New Mexico was one of just five Division 1 teams that averaged at least 40 points in the paint per game last season.

The MWC All-Tournament Team selection was one of the biggest contributors on a team that snapped New Mexico's decade-long NCAA Tournament drought this past season.

Toppin is easily one of the top rebounding and scoring bigs in the portal this offseason. He's the type of aggressive rebounder and tenacious defender who could set the tone for Texas in the paint on both ends of the floor.

He led the MWC in offensive rebounds, rebounds per game, blocks per game, and field goal percentage as a true freshman.

Texas is one of the schools in the mix for Toppin after he entered the portal a few days ago. On3's Joe Tipton reported on May 2 that the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Kansas State Wildcats, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Texas are the four schools standing out to Toppin that are pursuing him early in this portal recruitment.

Terry and the Longhorns have some connections in this portal recruitment. Toppin is a Texas native, hailing from South Dallas. Texas has a heavy presence of DFW-Metroplex players on its projected roster for the 2024-25 season, including junior guard Chendall Weaver, redshirt junior guard Julian Larry, and incoming freshman power forward Nic Codie.