Departures mean Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba will lead youth movement in the Texas secondary
AUSTIN, Texas — Jerrin Thompson. Jalen Catalon. Kitan Crawford. BJ Allen. Larry Turner-Gooden. BJ Allen.
Five Texas Longhorns defensive backs on the season-opening depth chart and six total have departed the program via the NCAA transfer portal since the window opened in early December. More movement will happen with nickel back Jahdae Barron expected to forego his COVID season of eligibility and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft as cornerback Ryan Watts faces a decision about whether to return, depart for professional football, or enter the portal.
Six defensive backs are members of the 2024 signing class, including Clemson transfer safety Andrew Mukuba, providing a fascinating symmetry to the current roster movement in the wake of last Monday’s Sugar Bowl loss to Washington.
What the transfers and the additions suggest is that head coach Steve Sarkisian, secondary coach Terry Joseph, and safeties coach Blake Gideon are turning to Mukuba to lead a youth movement in the defensive backfield highlighted by versatility and a higher level of athleticism.
What the departures mean
None of the losses loom as particularly impactful for the Longhorns, the ideal outcome for portal losses.
Allen, Turner-Gooden, and Brice were all non-contributors who couldn’t find snaps on defense or special teams and all three landed at Group of Five schools with Allen and Brice reuniting with former Texas Director of High School Relations Chris Gilbert at North Texas and Turner-Gooden heading back to California to play for San Jose State.
Catalon’s lengthy injury history added another chapter in his lone season at Texas without the benefit of the playmaking ability or impactful physicality that defined his breakout redshirt freshman season in 2020. How much he has left to give to the game of football remains a major question mark and it’s
glaring that Catalon declined to participate in the late stages of the Big 12 Championship game after seeing his role diminish upon returning from injury.
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