James Thompson Jr., DT
Texas still has work to do in the transfer portal recruiting additional bodies and depth to the defensive tackle position after signing Brevard on Dec. 14.
Defensive line coach Kenny Baker and the Longhorns are looking to add at least three proven and experienced (playing in the P4) defensive tackles from the portal for this upcoming offseason. Texas has lost a lot of defensive tackle depth to the portal in the winter transfer window, including three defensive linemen with at least three years of exprience on campus with the Longhorns.
Inside Texas reported on Dec. 13 that the Longhorns have considered targeting former Wisconsin Badgers senior grad transfer defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. in the portal this month.
The big 6-foot-5 and 295-pound defensive tackle/end from Ohio played five seasons at Wisconsin. He has one year of eligibility remaining thanks to an injury redshirt and the COVID-year from the 2020 season.
Thompson has over three dozen starts and has played over 40 career games at Wisconsin since 2020. He's registered 59 career combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two batted balls, 32 quarterback pressures, 10 QB hits, and 39 defensive stops.
Other SEC schools, like the Florida Gators and LSU appear to have some interest in Thompson in the portal. The No. 5 transfer defensive lineman, according to 247Sports, also visited Knoxville this weekend to see the Tennessee Volunteers.
Thompson missed most of the 2024 season due to an injury. He made his season debut for the Badgers late in the regular season campaign against the Big Ten foe Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 13.