Texas Football: 2 ex-UT starters still available in portal

Kitan Crawford, S

Senior Kitan Crawford is the other Texas player with multiple years of starting experience who is also on this list among the safeties still available in the transfer portal early this offseason.

We have mentioned time and time again on the site in the last couple of months that something had to give with the level of play from the safety position, specifically in coverage. And we've already seen Texas's staff make strides to address the inconsistent play from the safety room in the season that was.

Texas added two defensive backs via high school and portal recruiting in the 2024 class who could be immediate starters at safety in Mukuba and Filsaime.

Unfortunately, that meant a few starters had to go for the Longhorns this offseason to make room for all the new additions to the safety room. Crawford and Thompson were the two casualties among the Texas safeties with multiple years of starting experience at the position.

While it's not too surprising to see Thompson seek more playing time elsewhere via the transfer portal to boost his draft stock in 2024, it was a bit more eye-opening to see Crawford in the portal. There was an idea that Crawford could test the waters in the NFL Draft thanks to the physical upside and value on special teams he brings.

Crawford will likely look for a landing spot where he can get an opportunity to play in more of a true box safety position and continue to highlight his proficiency on special teams as a high-level player with the coverage units.