Longhorns transfer portal tracker: Tiaoalii Savea, Jay’Vion Cole now make 7 Texas players in portal
Longhorns players starting to enter transfer portal; the window closes Dec. 28
It’s hoped that every scholarship signee works out and becomes an All-American and future NFL star. But for some, they chose to transfer and reset their careers.
Monday marked the beginning of Longhorns players entering the transfer portal.
Some names are expected to appear in the portal, but there is always a huge surprise or two as players search for more playing time, better NIL deals or want to move closer to home.
Last Thursday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the realities of dealing with the transfer portal as he will see players come and go until the portal closes on Dec. 28.
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“We’re holding off having any discussions with any players until after the (SEC championship),” Sarkisian said. “Naturally, I’m sure like other schools we’re going to have some guys that are going to want to go into the portal. We're going to have some guys are going to want to go in right away, and we're going to have some players that maybe want to wait until our season is done. And I support that.
“I understand that this is the day and age of college football that we’re in, and at the same token, we may have a few needs to fill through the portal.”
Texas players should chose wisely before going to see the compliance department. Sarkisian does not believe in talking players out of the portal. Once a player’s name appears in the database, that player is effectively dead to Sarkisian and his staff. He only wants players who are committed to UT.
Here’s a list of known Texas players who have entered the transfer portal:
Johntay Cook II, receiver
This was no surprise as Cook and the team parted ways during the season. Cook signed with UT in 2021 and played in all 14 games as a freshman. But the Horns recruited other transfers to play over him this season, and Cook saw his opportunities dwindling. He was a high school All-American rated the nation’s fifth-best receiver coming out of DeSoto.
Derion Gullette, linebacker
Gullette had a hard road after suffering an injury and missing his entire senior year in high school. He redshirted during the 2023 season and did not play much this season. Gullette was a four-star prospect ranked the ninth-best edge rusher in Texas when he signed with UT.
Jaray Bledsoe, defensive lineman
Bledsoe played in one game in 2022 and eight games in 2023. He was simply lost in the depth behind two future NFL draft picks and then Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton this season. Bledsoe was the No. 23-rated pick in the class of 2023 by USA Today.
Tausili Akana, linebacker
Akana was the No. 1-ranked player in Utah when he signed with UT. But the 6-foot-4 edge rusher didn’t work his way into the rotation enough to get playing time. He appeared in one game in 2023.
Aaron Bryant, defensive line
The sophomore from Southhaven, Miss., appeared in nine games in 2022 and 2023 and made his first career tackle against Baylor last season. He was the eighth-highest rated player in the state of Mississippi coming out of high school.
Tiaoalii Savea, defensive lineman
Savea transferred to UT from Arizona after playing 29 games for the Wildcats. But he was seldom used with the Longhorns. At Arizona, Savea had 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Jay’Vion Cole, cornerback
Cole transferred to UT from San Jose State after playing in 24 games. He started all 13 games in 2023 at San Jose State. At Texas, Cole was essentially buried on the depth chart behind Jahdae Barron, a Thorpe Award finalist, Gavin Holmes, Malik Muhammad and freshman Kobe Black.
The Longhorns transfer portal tracker will be updated as more players' names appear.
