Texas aims for a breakthrough year and a Big 12 title in coach Steve Sarkisian's third year. With 15 returning starters, the Longhorns are likely to get plenty of consideration as the preseason favorite in the conference, but there are a couple of holes the staff needed to address through the transfer portal. Sarkisian landed only one offensive transfer in the first transfer window, with former Georgia Bulldog Adonai Mitchell added to a loaded receiving corps. Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon should be an impact addition in the secondary for a Texas defense that showed marked improvement last year. Sarkisian also added Ryan Sanborn from Stanford, who should immediately become the starting punter for '23.
Which players are the biggest and most important additions for Texas through the transfer portal? Athlon Sports breaks down the transfers for the Longhorns' offense and defense in 2023:
Texas Football: The Longhorns' Most Important Transfer Portal Additions on Offense and Defense for 2023
Offense
Best Offensive Addition:Â WR Adonai Mitchell (from Georgia)
Mitchell joins a loaded receiving corps that already features Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Isaiah Neyor. As a freshman in 2021, Mitchell showcased his potential by grabbing 29 receptions for 426 yards and four scores. He was poised to build on that season and potentially emerge as one of the top receivers in the SEC last year. However, Mitchell battled an ankle injury for the bulk of the season, which limited him to six games and just nine catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns. With a chance to return to 100 percent, Mitchell should be another dynamic playmaker in the receiving corps.
Best Defensive Addition: S Jalen Catalon (from Arkansas)
Injuries have limited Catalon to just 21 games since he stepped onto the Arkansas campus in '19. However, when healthy, Catalon has shown the ability to rank among the top defensive backs in college football. In his 21 appearances, the Texas native collected 159 tackles (3.5 for a loss), forced three fumbles, defended 14 passes and picked off five passes. Look for Catalon to become a standout defender for the Longhorns in '23.Â
With Terrance Brooks and Ryan Watts likely to hold the starting corner spots, Holmes should slot into the secondary as a third corner and an overall key cog on the back end. The Louisiana native was solid in coverage during his three years of snaps with the Demon Deacons and collected 45 tackles and defended 15 passes over 27 games.Â
Special Teams
P Ryan Sanborn (from Stanford)
With Daniel Trejo (42.0 average) moving on, Sanborn immediately becomes the top punter in Austin. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors last year after averaging 41.7 yards per punt on 57 kicks.Â
Podcast: Pac-12 Expansion Update and Complicated Coaching Legacies
Discuss the news on NABUR, a place to have local conversations The Neighborhood Alliance for Better Understanding and Respect ✔ A site just for our local community ✔ Focused on facts, not misinformation ✔ Free for everyone
