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

Tyler Baron, EDGE

Among the newest portal targets on the radar for the Longhorns in the December window is the former Tennessee Volunteers senior edge rusher Tyler Baron. The 6-foot-5 and 260-pound EDGE player entered the transfer portal late last week and is listed as the No. 5 EDGE player in the portal in the 247Sports Composite.

On3's Chad Simmons reported on Dec. 14 that Texas is among the four schools to watch in pursuit of Baron in the portal. The other three schools mentioned in pursuit of Baron in the portal are the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Ole Miss.

Multiple reports from 247Sports also confirm there is mutual interest between Baron and the Longhorns. Hank South of Horns247 reported on Dec. 14 that Baron is "expected to visit Texas" this weekend.

Baron's visit to Austin is reportedly expected to take place on Dec. 16.

Baron will be the second portal visitor the Longhorns have hosted at the EDGE position after the former UTSA Roadrunners redshirt sophomore and the AAC Defensive Player of the Year Trey Moore visited Texas last weekend.

Texas is clearly looking to upgrade the pass rush with an impact edge rusher in the portal heading into the offseason. Baron is an intringuing option thanks to his combination of length, athleticism, and SEC production over multiple seasons with the Vols.

Baron ranked in the top five among SEC edge rushers in quarterback pressures during the regular season (41) and was the sixth highest-graded pass rusher at the position.

As co-DC Pete Kwiatkowski and the Longhorns prioritize help at the EDGE position in the portal in the December window, Baron and Moore have emerged as the two top priorities to help upgrade the pass rush.