Five transfer portal targets that Texas let get away

The transfer portal has been filled with elite program-changing talent, and while Texas has capitalized on a couple they have also missed out on a few.

Starting with the positives, the Longhorns did land their quarterback of the future in elite prospect Quinn Ewers by way of Ohio State. Texas was also able to add defensive back Ryan Watts, who will likely be an immediate contributor as well.

However, while these two players will serve as major upgrades, there have been some players in the portal that seemed to have been great fits or upgrades to positions of need at Texas that the Longhorns have simply missed out on.

Whether that be because they never offered them, or because they offered too late, there has definitely been some transfers that the Longhorns could have pursued harder or even pursued in general.

With that being said, here are a few transfers that Texas let get away that would have really helped the team next season.

Jacob Cowing, WR (Arizona)

Jacob Cowing (6) receives the ball

This one in particular was a very frustrating miss for Longhorns fans, as UTEP transfer Jacob Cowing essentially made it sound like had Texas sent him an offer, he would have committed. It is no secret that Texas needs help at receiver, and letting someone who is as shifty and productive as Cowing leave the state of Texas without an offer is puzzling. Cowing finished this past season with 69 catches for 1,345 yards and seven touchdowns. Texas will have to look elsewhere for a running mate for Xavier Worthy.

Jacoby Windmon, LB (Michigan State)

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UNLV transfer Jacoby Windmon is a certified tackle machine, and also offers someone who can rush the quarterback, two things badly needed on their defense. Texas did offer him, but would eventually lose out to Michigan State.

Outside of DeMarvion Overshown, who even he struggled at times, the Longhorns do not have a playmaker on defense. It is more of a committee effort, but adding Windmon who finished in the top-20 for total tackles with 118 and also added 6.5 sacks would have been the perfect pairing with Overshown. They would have complimented one another so well, and he would be able to sure up the run defense.

With Overshown returning, the Longhorns absolutely need to find someone better to pair him with whether it be Jaylan Ford or someone from the portal.

Jadon Haselwood, WR (Arkansas)

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Haselwood was one of the first players to dash from Oklahoma when Lincoln Riley headed to USC. Whether or not he would he would have crossed the Red River is unknown, but just picturing the tandem that he and Worthy would have formed is enough to give defenses nightmares. Up until Mario Williams entered the portal, he was the highest rated receiver in all of the transfer portal and likely had every team vying for him.

With the lack of production at receiver that Texas had this past season from everyone not named Worthy, it is interesting to see that they haven’t made an aggressive push for a lot of the receivers in the portal, and having Haselwood alongside Worthy would have been a sight to see.

Victor Oluwatimi, IOL (Michigan)

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When someone who was earned All-America honors and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy is available, it would have been an absolute monster move for the Longhorns. Victor Oluwatimi out of Virginia was one of the top available linemen prior to deciding to transfer to Michigan, and he is someone who would have been a major upgrade for Texas’ line which was constantly changing all season. While the staff did hit this position hard in recruiting the class of 2022, someone with proven success would have been a perfect addition, and allowed for one of the younger guys to develop more.

Jared Verse, DE (Crystal ball prediction to Florida State)

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UAlbany’s Jared Verse is ranked as a top-10 player in the portal, and would have been a major addition for Texas. He definitely established himself as one of the Football Championship Subdivision’s (FCS) top pass rushers: 52 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. The Longhorns leader in sacks last season was Ben Davis with 2.5, which was another reason the defense struggled. Along with not being able to stop the run, they couldn’t generate any pressure on the quarterback.

While Texas did offer Verse, it seemed to come a little too late, as he recently received a crystal ball to Florida State. Texas does have a major haul of defensive linemen coming in, but again, to expect a freshman to come in and produce right away is certainly wishful thinking. It’s not to say it can’t happen, but when someone like Verse is available is always better to have too much depth than not enough.

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