5 former Texas transfers in action in Week 0

Billy Walton III, EDGE (SMU)

Former redshirt freshman Texas edge rusher Billy Walton III transferred to join SMU during the spring portal window this offseason. Walton spent one season at Texas before transferring back closer to home in Dallas to try and compete for more playing time at the EDGE position for the Mustangs.

The former three-star recruit from Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff High School who signed with the Longhorns in the 2023 class saw action in two games early last season. Walton registered one tackle assist last season in 15 defensive snaps, most of which game in garbage time in a road Big 12 win over the Baylor Bears in Week 4 of the 2023 season for the Longhorns.

SMU has dipped into the portal to add depth at multiple positions with former Texas transfers in the last few offseasons. Guard Logan Parr, wide receiver Moochie Dixon, and edge rusher David Abiara are just a few of the former Longhorns (along with Walton) who will play for SMU in 2024.

Walton is joining SMU for their inaugural season in the ACC this fall in 2024. SMU is one of three schools joining the ACC for the 2024 season, also including the Stanford Cardinal and Cal Golden Bears in their departure during the Pac-12 exodus in the last couple of years.

Kristopher Ross, DL (Nevada)

The fourth and final former Texas transfer on this list who is suiting up for Choate and Nevada for the 2024 season is redshirt sophomore defensive lineman/defensive end Kristopher Ross. The 6-foot-2 and 275-pound native of Houston, TX, played his first two seasons at Texas before he left the program last fall and ended up entering the transfer portal for the winter window.

During his two seasons at Texas, Ross appeared in four games (including three last season). Ross had a bigger role for Texas's defensive front last season, playing a career-high 50 defensive snaps over three games, including 17 snaps in the Week 2 double-digit win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

He registered three combined tackles, two quarterback pressures, and one defensive stop in his two seasons playing for the Longhorns.

All five former Texas transfers on this list will be playing in the opener between SMU and Nevada in primetime Week 0 action on Aug. 24.

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