Texas Football: Winter 2025 NCAA Transfer Portal Targets and Updates
As the 2024 College Football Playoff season progresses, Texas football under head coach Steve Sarkisian has wasted no time in strengthening its roster through the NCAA Transfer Portal. With the Longhorns preparing for their Playoff matchup against Clemson, they’ve already secured a few key transfers. However, the transfer window is still in its early stages, and Texas is targeting a few more big names to fill critical needs on both sides of the ball.
Recent Portal Commitments:
- Jack Bouwmeester – Punter (Formerly at Utah)
- Texas has brought in Jack Bouwmeester, a graduate transfer punter from Utah, who brings with him a wealth of experience, including being an All-Big 12 selection. Bouwmeester’s addition provides stability and an ability to flip the field for Texas’ special teams unit, an important piece moving forward.
- Brad Spence – Linebacker (Formerly at Arkansas)
- The Longhorns have also bolstered their defensive front seven with the addition of Brad Spence, a sophomore linebacker from Arkansas. Spence adds depth to Texas’ linebacker corps and fills a position of need, helping strengthen the defense.
- Cole Brevard – Defensive Tackle (Formerly at Purdue)
- Cole Brevard, a graduate transfer from Purdue, provides Texas with a much-needed veteran presence on the defensive line. His experience and production at Purdue make him an impactful addition for the upcoming season.
These commitments give Texas immediate depth and improvement at key positions, especially on defense and special teams, but Sarkisian’s staff isn’t stopping here. The transfer window is just getting started, and they have their eyes on several major targets.
Top Transfer Portal Targets for Texas:
- Eric Singleton Jr. – Wide Receiver (Formerly at Georgia Tech)
- Eric Singleton Jr. is one of the top wide receiver targets for Texas in this portal cycle. The sophomore from Georgia Tech is known for his game-changing speed and explosive playmaking ability. Singleton, ranked No. 1 on 247Sports’ transfer list, recently visited Texas, and early reports indicate positive feedback. However, Auburn and Ole Miss are heavily involved in his recruitment, and NIL deals could play a major role in his decision.
- Texas has a chance to land Singleton if they can convince him that the fit in their offense is right, but the Longhorns face stiff competition from SEC schools. The eventual decision of Singleton could influence the Longhorns’ recruitment strategy for other wide receivers, such as Zachariah Branch.
- Zachariah Branch – Wide Receiver (Formerly at USC)
- Zachariah Branch, a sophomore from USC, is another prime target for the Longhorns’ receiving corps. Branch is an electric playmaker, known for his speed and ability to create separation. He’s also a dangerous threat in the return game, excelling on both kickoffs and punts.
- Although Branch has a no-contact tag on his portal entry, Texas is expected to be one of the schools involved in his recruitment. If Singleton commits elsewhere, Texas will likely shift more focus toward securing Branch, who could also bring along his brother Zion Branch, a safety from USC, making it potentially a package deal.
- Max Klare – Tight End (Formerly at Purdue)
- Max Klare, a redshirt sophomore and All-Big Ten Third-Team tight end from Purdue, is another high-priority target for Texas. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Klare is a versatile player who could contribute both as a blocker and as a receiving threat in Sarkisian’s offense. With Ja’Tavion Sanders and Gunnar Helm expected to depart, the Longhorns are in need of a reliable tight end for the future.
- Klare has visited Louisville, Michigan, Texas A&M, and Texas. While Texas offers a strong fit within their offensive system, Louisville has coaching staff connections from his high school days, and Michigan and Texas A&M are offering intriguing opportunities as well. His recruitment remains fluid, and it’s unclear which way he will lean, but Texas remains a strong contender for his services.
What’s Next for Texas Football in the Portal?
While the 2025 season is still months away, Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff are working to maximize the potential of the Transfer Portal to fill immediate needs on the roster. With commitments from key players like Jack Bouwmeester, Brad Spence, and Cole Brevard, the Longhorns have already addressed several position groups. However, wide receiver and tight end remain areas where Texas is targeting elite-level talent for future success.
- Eric Singleton Jr. and Zachariah Branch represent two of the highest-priority targets for the receiving corps, both offering elite speed and playmaking ability. Texas will need to stay competitive on the NIL front to secure their commitments, especially with SEC schools vying for their services.
- At tight end, Max Klare could be a key piece to replace the departing Ja’Tavion Sanders, with Louisville, Texas A&M, and Michigan all vying for his attention.
Overall, Texas football’s 2025 offseason is shaping up to be one filled with exciting moves through the transfer portal. As they balance their focus on the upcoming College Football Playoff and the winter transfer window, expect the Longhorns to continue adding talent to their roster, aiming to solidify their position as one of the top programs in college football.