On Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns lost another member of their defense to the transfer portal. Linebacker Derion Gullette signed with Mississippi State after two years in Texas. He was a redshirt freshman this season and still has multiple years of eligibility remaining.
During the 2024 campaign, Gullette appeared in five games and recorded two tackles. Most of his playing time came against Colorado State, UTSA, and UL-Monroe. In four games, he also got snaps on special teams with the kickoff coverage unit.
While Gullette’s Longhorns career did not go as planned, he is a player who drew interest just a few years ago. Coming out of high school, he was ranked as the No. 121 recruit in the 2023 class and the No. 18 edge rusher, by 247Sports. That is one of the reasons, Gullette was a four-star recruit and a priority for Texas.
Before joining the Bulldogs, the Texas native drew interest from the Ole Miss Rebels and North Carolina Tar Heels. While both programs are full of talent, Gullette will get a second chance to show that he belongs in the SEC.
Former Texas LB Derion Gullette is transferring to Mississippi State.
He was a 4-recruit in 2023. pic.twitter.com/hovnSTAxRG
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) December 18, 2024
Although Gullerre’s role is still to be determined, he should get a chance to play against his former team at some point next season. That is a game he will be circling on his calendar.