The offseason of acquisitions for Texas may not be over just yet.
Steve Sarkisian and his staff put a huge emphasis on bringing in new bodies and elite talent to help bolster a team that went 5-7 in 2021. The players brought in included quarterback prodigy Quinn Ewers (Ohio State), an elite pass catcher in Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming), and a huge cornerback in Ryan Watts (Ohio State).
They were also able to add a heap of talent from the high school level on both sides of the line, which should greatly bolster two of the weaker position groups from 2021. However, even with the addition of eight defensive linemen in their 2022 recruiting class, Texas seemed determined to pursue a player from the transfer portal with college experience and production.
The pass rush was a huge issue for Texas last season, whose leader in sacks had just 2.5 on the year. They went after Albany transfer, Jared Verse, but similar to other transfer portal pursuits were much too late.
It seemed like all was lost in terms of adding a transfer portal pass rusher, but after Texas hired former TCU coach Gary Patterson, they instantly became the front runner for former Horned Frog Ochaun Mathis. According to a recent report by 247Sports, Texas is still the heavy favorite to land Mathis.
Here is what 247Sports said about Texas’ chances to land Mathis:
One of the most productive EDGE players in the portal, Mathis has 133 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his TCU career. Mathis entered the portal on Jan. 12 and ever since sources have indicated Texas is in great shape. There’s the obvious Gary Patterson connection in Austin, and Texas desperately needs help off the edge. There are a few other programs, like USC, who remain in contact with Mathis.
If Texas could add Mathis, he would likely be one of if not the best player on the defense for the Longhorns. Texas will have to wait for Mathis to finish his spring semester classes before he makes his decision and is able to attend his new school.
