3 costliest portal departures for Texas this spring

Savion Red, RB

In the span of a few hours on April 22, Tashard Choice and the Longhorns lost two running backs to the transfer portal. Walk-on junior Ky Woods was the first Texas running back to announce he's entering the portal on Monday. Soon after, fellow junior running back Savion Red announced he planned to enter the transfer portal on April 22.

Red is the first scholarship running back for Texas to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Running back is another position where the Longhorns saw stiff competition during spring ball due to the depth and talent present in this room. The additions of true freshmen/early enrollees Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark gave the Longhorns six scholarship running backs this spring camp.

Along with Gibson and Clark, Texas also returned four running backs with live-game reps under their belt for spring ball.

Red spent two seasons at Texas before entering the transfer portal early this week. He played 21 games during his time at Texas, including a dozen appearances last season. In 2023, Red registered 131 rushing yards on 30 carries (4.4 yards per carry), one rushing touchdown, and a dozen first downs.

Texas took advantage of Red's versatility in short-yardage packages near the goal line and on third downs on offense last fall. Red picked up first downs in three separate games while being utilized in the "Redcat formation" last season (per SIS Data Hub).

Red converted from wide receiver to running back last offseason. He played 72 offensive snaps over nine games during his true freshman campaign in 2022. Red picked up 34 receiving yards on six catches in his first year at Texas.

Texas is losing their most versatility running back among the returning scholarship players in this position group with Red's departure to the portal.