He was a redshirt freshman this season and still has multiple years of eligibility remaining
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.
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.
Before Clark’s injury even happened, the Longhorns coaching staff were considering other options at running back. “We’re looking at some different options, and I think we’re looking at it creatively, whether it’s a couple of guys on the offensive side of the ball, a potential player on the defensive side of the ball, or two, for that matter,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. ” … So we’re kind of taking it day by day again. We’ve got plenty of time. We’re just trying to get a sense and a feel of how, not only will they play on offense at the runner, but how does that impact us at other positions if we take a player.”
Clark wasn’t expected to be the primary replacement for Baxter. That duty will fall to junior Jaydon Blue. Blue was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list last week, which is handed out annually to the nation’s most versatile player.
Texas has also brought in two running backs in each of the last two recruiting classes. Behind Blue, Sarkisian can turn to Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson.
But with the loss of Clark, it’s depth at RB that has the Longhorns staff concerned. Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods reports that the coaching staff is considering moving freshman WR Ryan Niblett to running back.
Niblett is a redshirt freshman from Aldine Eisenhower in Houston. A 2023 All-American Bowl participant, Niblett was ranked No. 77 nationally, No. 12 among wide receivers and No. 16 overall in the state of Texas by Rivals. As a senior at Eisenhower, he caught 55 passes for 1,088 yards and 10 TD with an average of 108.8 receiving yards per game.
Coaches are also considering moving linebacker Derion Gullette to running back. Gullette played some offense in high school and is already taking snaps at RB at Longhorns practice. Texas’ depth at LB makes Gullette possibly more valuable on offense. Gullette could take on the roll of short-yardage power back.
Gullette, another redshirt freshman, went to high school at Teague in Marlin, TX. The former 4-star recruit starred at RB, but was also named first-team 3A All-State as both a WR and punter.
Another name being considered is safety Jelani McDonald. Out of Connally High School in Waco, McDonald was was a 4-star recruit ranked No. 204 nationally, No. 6 among athletes and No. 35 overall in the state of Texas by Rivals.
Playing on both slides of the ball, he was named the 11-4A Division 2 offensive MVP after running the ball 77 times for 852 yards and nine touchdowns and posting four separate games of 100 yards rushing.
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2023 Linebacker Derion Gullette announces commitment date
We are now nearly a week removed from last Saturday when Texas A&M held its annual recruiting pool party, featuring over 30 recruits attending the event from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 recruiting classes, including one of the most versatile defenders in the 2023 cycle, linebacker Derion Gullette.
Recently, Gullette released his commitment date, which is set for Friday, August 5th at 3:00 PM Central, with his final school list including Ohio State, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Four-star LB Derion Gullette will make his decision on Friday and he’s adjusting to his new home in Teague. Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M are the finalists. pic.twitter.com/SAbWvGAjlF
— Derion Gullette ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@DerionGullette) August 4, 2022
The Aggies have been on Gullette from a recruiting standpoint going back to last summer, offering him on June 11th, 2021. He has proceeded to visit the Texas A&M’s campus nine times, with his last visit coming last Saturday during the pool party. In relation to his final school list, Gullette has taken visits to Ohio State on June 10th, and Texas on June 24th, and according to recruiting sites 247Sports and On3 is a favorite to land with Texas.
In a scouting report I wrote for Derion Gullette, I described his ability on the field and how it might translate at the collegiate level:
As a prospect, Gullette’s film is just plain fun to watch; catching the ball, intercepting the ball, kicking the ball, and tackling, so yes, the man can literally do it all. As an outside linebacker, he is patient in coverage, shows adequate lateral quickness, and has great ball skills paired with a nice closing burst after reading the route. He is a high-level tackler and an instant threat to outside run concepts due to his speed and athleticism, mostly coming from his snaps at wide receiver. Overall, Derion Gullette has the makeup to become an instant contributor to whatever school he chooses.
We’re finally at the “fingers crossed” stage of Derion Gullette’s recruiting journey, so here’s to trusting that last weekend’s festivities left a lasting impression on one of the most sought-after prospects in the state of Texas.
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With quite a few Texas targets set to make commitments soon, one has to wonder what role Johntay Cook and Arch Manning have played in those decisions.
Four of the top five uncommitted prospects in Texas could make commitments ahead of the 2022 season. Texas is squarely in the running for each of those program-elevating players.
Additionally, top out-of-state running back Cedric Baxter Jr. will announce his commitment Wednesday, August 10.
Recruiting pitches from five-star talents like Manning and Cook likely carry more meaning than those from other recruits. Certainly, both players’ film matches their respective ratings.
Texas will keep a close eye on high four-star cornerback Malik Muhammad, who is set to commit Wednesday, July 20.
Muhammad’s connection with Johntay Cook could help bring Texas over the top. The elite cornerback from South Oak Cliff is the No. 5 cornerback and No. 50 overall player in the On3 consensus.
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