Texas welcomed three graduate transfers to their roster this offseason.
Former Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black joined the program in April and immediately began to showcase his abilities throughout fall camp. In fact, Black is widely projected to be a starter for the Longhorns in the season opener against UTEP.
Another graduate transfer wide receiver, Brenden Schooler, chose to sign with Texas roughly two weeks ago. The versatile athlete began his collegiate career at Oregon before transferring to Arizona in December 2019. Due to the Pac-12 postponing their fall season, Schooler changed directions and chose to head to Austin as a fifth-year senior.
Schooler started at safety for Oregon as a true freshman in 2016 and recorded 74 tackles and four interceptions. He made the switch to receiver as a sophomore and is an excellent contributor on special teams.
Running back Gabriel Watson committed to Texas as a graduate transfer just days prior to Schooler. Watson was one of the top Division II players in 2018 before missing most of the 2019 season due to injury. He led Division II in five statistical categories including yards per game, yards per carry and rushing touchdowns.
Texas lacked depth in the backfield behind Keaontay Ingram, Roschon Johnson and Bijan Robinson. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the recent injury woes at the position, head coach Tom Herman felt more comfortable having four primary backs available.
On Monday, Herman announced that Watson and Schooler will both be available for the season opener at UTEP. Watson will be sporting the No. 25 jersey this season while Schooler will be wearing No. 81.
Texas transfer RB Gabriel Watson will wear No. 25, and transfer Brenden Schooler, listed as a WR, will wear No. 81. #HookEm
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) September 7, 2020
Although the two haven’t had much time to get acclimated with the team, they’re likely to receive playing time against UTEP due to the Longhorns being heavy favorites over the Miners.