Texas Football: 3 portal targets expected to visit UT this weekend

The NCAA Transfer Portal has moved very fast in the last couple of weeks, including for a handful of Texas football targets on the transfer market in the December window. Since the December portal window opened on Dec. 4 for underclassmen to enter the transfer market, well over 2,000 players have announced their intentions to enter the portal.

All the while, Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian have been patient with their scouting and evaluation process in the transfer portal early in the December window. Texas hasn't taken any portal commits yet in the December window.

Texas football prioritizing defensive back, receiver, and edge rusher in the portal

And while many other Power Five programs have taken an aggressive approach to get a jump on some of the high-profile players appearing in the portal this month, Texas is in a good spot to be more patient to make sure they're getting the right players regarding roster and culture fit.

However, the Longhorns have already hosted one visitor from the portal this month. And there are more that will be on campus for visits this weekend. Here are three portal targets for the Longhorns who are expected to be in Austin for visits from Dec. 15 to 17.

Andrew Mukuba, S

The top priority portal target for the Longhorns at defensive back is the former Clemson Tigers junior safety Andrew Mukuba. The former blue-chip recruit and Austin, TX, native is reportedly set to take a multi-day visit to Austin this weekend.

It was reported last week that Mukuba was planning to visit the Oregon Ducks, Oklahoma Sooners, USC Trojans, Ole Miss Rebels, and Texas this week. But various reports have surfaced this week at least noting that he didn't visit Oregon.

A 247Sports report this week also noted that while Oklahoma is still alive in this portal recruitment, the chances that the Sooners land Mukuba's commitment seem to be dwindling. Junior safety Billy Bowman Jr. announcing his return to Oklahoma for the 2024 season could hurt their chances with Mukuba in the portal.

Texas was considered by many to be the favorite to land Mukuba's commitment in the portal before he was slated to visit those five schools early this week. Mukuba went to Austin (TX) LBJ High School, where Texas's director of high school relations Jahmal Fenner was his head football coach.

Mukuba is also familiar with the big city life in Austin and can make an immediate impact as a starting defensive back in this secondary for the Longhorns.

The fit between Mukuba and Texas makes a lot of sense. And if he does wind up showing up for the visit to Texas this weekend (specifically starting Dec. 15), Texas can try and seal the deal in this portal recruitment.