The Texas Longhorns added some key pieces to the 2025 squad through the transfer portal over the weekend. The Horns added depth at quarterback with former Baylor Bears and Texas State Bobcats QB CJ Rogers. They also signed DT Travis Shaw from North Carolina.
Shaw entered the portal after the Tar Heels fired former Texas coach Mack Brown in November. The 6’5.5, 330-pounder has one season of eligibility remaining. Shaw was one of Brown’s biggest signings in Chapel Hill. In 2022, he was a 5-star and the No. 20 player in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
During Rogers high school career, he helped Argyle to a UIL 4A state championship appearance. In 2020, he redshirted for Baylor, where he got a little playing time in the Bears’ Big 12 Championship title. He then transferred to Texas State for two seasons. Rogers is thrilled to be a Longhorn. “Playing at the University of Texas is a dream come true,” Rogers told Inside Texas. “I’m very excited to be able to learn from Coach (Steve) Sarkisian and Coach (AJ) Milwee and help the program.”
Two of Texas’ earlier signings are already practicing with the team. Both former Purdue DT Cole Brevard and former Arkansas LB Brad Spence were with the team in Atlanta as UT prepared for the Peach Bowl. “What a unique experience for them to join us now and to have even a couple of transfers now with us in Cole and Brad,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We need it. We’re still trying to practice, and we got hit pretty good from a portal perspective on that front seven. We tried to backfill it with some of these faces now, but it’s good to see those guys. Very early stages.” –
Spence has already made a good impression on Texas star LB Anthony Hill. “When I first seen him, he looked real rocked up. I said, ‘Oh man, he look like he gonna be a good football player for us’.”
Brevard has also caught the eye of some of the Longhorns players like senior defensive tackle Bill Norton “We’ve got to watch him [Cole Brevard] practice a little bit,” Norton said. “I think he’s gonna be a great addition to this defensive line.”
Texas Longhorns Portal Signings
DT Travis Shaw – North Caroline
UPDATE: Longhorns sign former UNC DT. Shaw has one year of eligibility left.
DT Cole Brevard – Purdue
UPDATE: Texas signs former Boilermaker hoping for instant impact. Brevard has one year of eligibility remaining. The DT is already practicing with UT.
LB Brad Spence – Arkansas
UPDATE: Horns sign former Hog Spence. The LB has also been practicing with the team.
P Jack Bouwmeester – Utah
UPDATE: Texas signs Australian native with one year of eligibility left.
QB CJ Rogers – Houston Christian
UPDATE: Longhorns add QB depth with former Baylor and Texas State Junior.
Texas Longhorns in the Portal
DT Tiaoalii Savea
UPDATE: Will remain with Texas through college football playoffs.
EDGE Justice Finkley
UPDATE: Will remain with Texas through college football playoffs.
WR Johntay Cook
UPDATE: The former 5-star WR signs with the Washington Huskies. He also took a shot at Quinn Ewers.
DT Sydir Mitchell
UPDATE: After changing his mind a couple times, Mitchell ends up at LSU.
LB Tausili Akana
UPDATE: Akana lands at BYU.
DT Aaron Bryant
UPDATE: Bryant signed with Vanderbilt.
LB Derion Gullette
UPDATE: The sophomore LB signs with Mississippi State.
DT Jaray Bledsoe
UPDATE: Redshirt sophomore also signs with Mississippi State.
CB Jayvion Cole
UPDATE: The junior DB has signed with Arizona.
P Ian Ratliff
UPDATE: Unsigned