The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on December 9th and will close on December 28th. While Steve Sarkisian and company will use the portal window to procure star power and enhance depth, the window of opening provides departure opportunities for scholarship players on the current Longhorn roster. In fact, on the first day of being open, a handful of players announced their decision to officially submit their names into the portal. On Tuesday, Day 2, we learned of a couple of others who entered the portal.
Let’s take a look at those players who announced their decision to say goodbye to The 40 Acres and take their talents to another college football program
Johntay Cook – WR
Sophmore wide receiver Johntay Cook announced his portal intentions on December 9th after he and the program mutually agreed to part ways back in early November. Cook was a 5-star recruit out of high school and caught eight passes for 136 yards last season. This year he caught 8 passes for 137 yards but did not play much in SEC matchups. According to On3 potential landing spots for Cook are the Oregon Ducks and the Texas A&M Aggies.
Derion Gullette – LB
Second year linebacker Derion Gullette announced his decision to enter the portal after playing in two games this season. The Marlin, Texas native recorded two tackles this season, in games against Colorado State and UTSA. Gullette will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Tausili Akana – EDGE
Hawaii native and redshirt freshman Tausili Akana entered the transfer portal on Monday. He played in just one game last season as a true freshman, but saw more playing time this season. The 6-4, 220 lb. EDGE rusher played in seven games this season and recorded one tackle against UTSA on September 14. Akana will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Aaron Bryant – DL
Redshirt sophmore Aaron Bryant is one of several defensive linemen that are leaving the program via the portal. Bryant, a Southaven, Mississippi native, played in two games as a true freshman and seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He played in four games this season and had one tackle. Bryant shared an article he wrote as to why he originally committed to Texas and what ultimately led to his decision to leave it. It is well worth a read.
Jaray Bledsoe – DL
It was known that third year defensive lineman Jaray Bledsoe would enter the transfer portal last week, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Last Friday, A&P Sports Agency released a statement on behalf of Bledsoe, who announced his decision formally.
Bledsoe played in 12 games during his three seasons at Texas, recording seven total tackles. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Tiaoalii Savea – DL
Arizona transfer defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea became the third DL to announce his decision to seek a transfer via the portal. Savea played one season in Austin after transferring from the Wildcats, following current UT co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Johnny Nansen from Tucson. He finished this season with three tackles in four games played. Savea will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Jay’Vion Cole – CB
San Jose State transfer defensive back Jay’Vion Cole announced his decision to transfer on December 10, after spending just one season with the Longhorns. Cole began his career at Caly Poly in 2022 before transferring to San Jose State the following season. With the Spartans he recorded 27 tackles with one sack and three interceptions. This season at Texas, he played in four games and recorded one tackle and an interception.
