OTF Premium Sark's History of Portal DL Additions (Wednesday)

[CJ Vogel]

Texas needs defensive linemen out of the portal. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that.

Yet, with ten days remaining before the end of the first portal session, there has only been on addition to the position thus far. Texas would like to add four in total following the re-entrance of Sydir Mitchell on Monday.

But that does not mean the Longhorns are going to overreach for a body at the position. Every player we have seen the Longhorns add out of the portal on the DL has experience and production, something that is very tough to find in general. All in all, you don't see Texas pursuing many unproven, yet high-ceiling, prospects.

The track record under Sarkisian of defensive line portal additions showcases the patience and right fit needed before Texas pursues someone from another program.

***

A look at the snaps played before transferring to Texas from the five defensive linemen the Longhorns have added out of the portal under Steve Sarkisian.

2023 season:

Trill Carter – 1,169

• Carter played four years before entering the portal, with three seasons as full time contributor or starter. 
• Four years of experience.

2024 season:

Jermayne Lole – 1,824

• Lole was a three-yard contributor/starter at Arizona State before transferring to Louisville where he was injured in 2022 and rebounded back for 2023 with 411 snaps. Four full years of experience on the field for Lole and more than 1800 snaps led to the Longhorns flipping him late from Oklahoma.
• Four years of experience.

Tia Savea – 624

• Savea has not been a huge contributor for the Longhorns however, he came in with three years of experience both at UCLA and Arizona. 
• Three years of experience.  

Bill Norton – 539

• Norton was a five year portal entrant with experience at Georgia and Arizona. Really only one year of extended contributions with 395 snaps coming in 2023 at Arizona. But at 330 pounds, you don't find many in the portal with that frame.
• Five years of experience.

2025 season:

Cole Brevard – 1,084

• Brevard started at Penn State, but 1,083 of his 1,084 snaps came at Purdue. Brevard started 23 games over the last two seasons for the Boilermakers and has a combined 800+ snaps in the last two seasons. 
• Four years of experience.

***

It is clear Texas isn't going to go into a season with young, inexperienced defensive linemen. The key is finding those that fit the veteran, proven mold of the previous five additions.

Even the misses last year, Jay Toia had 961 snaps before last year and Damonic Williams racked up 1,088 snaps in two seasons at TCU.

We will more than likely see this trend continue, it is just up to the Longhorn staff to find the right fit given the prerequisites. 

[CJ Vogel]

With all of that said, there are currently 86 total snaps returning at the position for 2025 – all of which from Alex January.

Three true freshmen and a Melvin Hills, who redshirted the entire year, make up the remainder of the room. 

One portal addition so far, I still expect three more.

[Bunk Moreland]

Great info—thanks, @CJ Vogel!

[Hashtag]

HAVE to have 2-3 more DT's from this portal window heading into spring with experience. They'll need to learn the playbook and be ready to play come fall. Spring window could be used to backfill or land a game ready guy if one becomes available. We don't have a Nansen bringing in two guys from Arizona with him to make us feel at ease as well as the roster is completely depleted for spring 2025.

[Joe Zura]

3 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

With all of that said, there are currently 86 total snaps returning at the position for 2025 – all of which from Alex January.

Three true freshmen and a Melvin Hills, who redshirted the entire year, make up the remainder of the room. 

One portal addition so far, I still expect three more.

 

[Bobbers]

I think Norton and Lole transferred after Spring ball.  I like that model so we can see what the young guys can do, but the big disadvantage is that the late transfers can't come from a SEC school.

I realize that folks are worried about the interior defensive line, but Texas is in WAY better shape than in some years past.

January, Hills, Terry, and Sharma are all big guys who can run well.

Sharma may be 325 to 330 by next fall while being much stronger and leaner.

I know the staff wants to add at least two more veterans, but if UT is forced to go with the guys they have, I think the result might really surprise people.  The talent evaluation by Pete K and company has resulted in big humans on DL that can really move.  I am excited about these young guys.

[CJ Vogel]

8 minutes ago, Bobbers said:

I think Norton and Lole transferred after Spring ball.  I like that model so we can see what the young guys can do, but the big disadvantage is that the late transfers can't come from a SEC school.

I realize that folks are worried about the interior defensive line, but Texas is in WAY better shape than in some years past.

January, Hills, Terry, and Sharma are all big guys who can run well.

Sharma may be 325 to 330 by next fall while being much stronger and leaner.

I know the staff wants to add at least two more veterans, but if UT is forced to go with the guys they have, I think the result might really surprise people.  The talent evaluation by Pete K and company has resulted in big humans on DL that can really move.  I am excited about these young guys.

It will be interesting to see what type of coaching movement happens after the Playoff as well. Portal closes Dec. 28, though that 30 day window opens up after any coaching changes as well.

I would prefer to add two before the end of the window, one is a necessity. We will see how the cookie crumbles.

[cmk4pres]

UNC DT? Any good? Tons of experience 

[David Heredia]

With not so many options, should Texas pursue bear Alexander?

[cmk4pres]

4 minutes ago, David Heredia said:

With not so many options, should Texas pursue bear Alexander?

Not a culture fit, never has been. Played for like 8 schools last 8 years 

Edited December 18 by cmk4pres

[CJ Vogel]

24 minutes ago, cmk4pres said:

UNC DT? Any good? Tons of experience 

Tons of experience, but maybe lacking some of that top-end talent Texas is looking for.

Zero career starts, but 301 snaps in 2024. Played mostly the B-Gap at 335 pounds. 

[cmk4pres]

15 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Tons of experience, but maybe lacking some of that top-end talent Texas is looking for.

Zero career starts, but 301 snaps in 2024. Played mostly the B-Gap at 335 pounds. 

Ok gotcha 

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

With all of that said, there are currently 86 total snaps returning at the position for 2025 – all of which from Alex January.

Three true freshmen and a Melvin Hills, who redshirted the entire year, make up the remainder of the room. 

One portal addition so far, I still expect three more.

But what three?

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Do you think we ever get to a point on the defensive line where we are along the offensive line of not needing transfer portal guys?

[Coco]

22 minutes ago, Rhenk6768 said:

But what three?

Our coaches just signed the #1 class in the Country. We are in the Championship Playoffs. Are we really questioning that these coaches don't know exactly who they want to bring in and what they are willing to pay them? Seriously!!!!!!

 

[EHoff99]

12 minutes ago, Coco said:

Our coaches just signed the #1 class in the Country. We are in the Championship Playoffs. Are we really questioning that these coaches don't know exactly who they want to bring in and what they are willing to pay them? Seriously!!!!!!

 

He just asked a question man lol, it's not that deep.

[Coco]

3 minutes ago, EHoff99 said:

He just asked a question man lol, it's not that deep.

I hear you. Just please go read what CJ has been trying to explain to the community. And BTW I'm not a man....MWAH! Merry Merry!

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

25 minutes ago, Coco said:

Our coaches just signed the #1 class in the Country. We are in the Championship Playoffs. Are we really questioning that these coaches don't know exactly who they want to bring in and what they are willing to pay them? Seriously!!!!!!

 

Where did I question anything you just listed? I asked what three DL could we bring in? Calm down

[Coco]

1 minute ago, Rhenk6768 said:

Where did I question anything you just listed? I asked what three DL could we bring in? Calm down

I guess I used to many !!!!! in my response. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers. I do think it is obvious that our coaches know who they would like to go get and even more logical that they do not what those names out there. Maybe I should not have applied logic to this situation. 

[bevo1234]

2 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

It will be interesting to see what type of coaching movement happens after the Playoff as well. Portal closes Dec. 28, though that 30 day window opens up after any coaching changes as well.

I would prefer to add two before the end of the window, one is a necessity. We will see how the cookie crumbles.

Is this any coaching change including position coaches or just head coaches, where players can leave? 

[Hashtag]

1 minute ago, bevo1234 said:

Is this any coaching change including position coaches or just head coaches, where players can leave? 

Only head coaches. As of right now I don’t predict much coaching turnover from the major programs. Seems less than ideal to do it timing wise. Most of the coaching changes we have already seen I imagine will be much of it. Only exceptions would be a guy like Lanning or Riley heading to the NFL. 

Edited December 18 by Hashtag

[drag worm]

The difference is that in prior years we still had all of Herman's DTs starting games so we portaled for depth. This time we need multiple starters.

Edited December 18 by drag worm

[rgvhorn80]

3 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

With all of that said, there are currently 86 total snaps returning at the position for 2025 – all of which from Alex January.

Three true freshmen and a Melvin Hills, who redshirted the entire year, make up the remainder of the room. 

One portal addition so far, I still expect three more.

So are you saying there will be 2-3 impact level DLs available from the portal? Doesn’t seem likely to me. They will have to take what’s left and see how they can develop them. 

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

1 hour ago, Coco said:

Wow, you can now understand why I rarely participate to this discussion. I will try to stay out of contributing in the future since I'm not a man. 

Get a sense of humor

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

1 hour ago, Coco said:

I guess I used to many !!!!! in my response. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers. I do think it is obvious that our coaches know who they would like to go get and even more logical that they do not what those names out there. Maybe I should not have applied logic to this situation. 

You didn’t apply logic to anything. I asked who we could sign at DL and you somehow took that to mean that I said this coaching staff doesn’t know what they’re doing. Not very logical