AUSTIN — In the transfer portal era, maintaining a strong roster has become just as crucial as recruiting. Nowhere is this more evident than with the Texas Longhorns’ defense during this cycle.

As the transfer portal closed for new entries on Friday, what initially appeared to be a mass exodus of defensive backs turned into a more favorable outcome for the program. Players like Kobe Black, Warren Roberson, and Derek Williams Jr. entered the portal but ultimately withdrew after reaching revenue-sharing or NIL agreements with the Longhorns.

While some players still chose to move on to other programs, the overall impact wasn’t as severe as it could have been. Here’s a breakdown of who Texas lost and gained on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Line

Texas has long focused on adding defensive linemen through the transfer portal, and it has paid off in building depth. This cycle, however, the approach was more measured, which may not be a bad thing.

The two players who left, Melvin Hills III and Lavon Johnson, were rarely used rotational players. They might benefit from finding more playing time elsewhere.

On the flip side, Ian Geffrard made his way to Austin from Arkansas. He started all 12 of the Razorbacks’ games and recorded 25 tackles last season. With two years of eligibility remaining, he could play a key role for the Longhorns beyond 2026.

Zion Williams, a nose tackle, joined from Louisiana State. He played in five games as a freshman and has significant upside. Texas had targeted him in 2025 before he signed with LSU. His potential could make him a multi-year contributor for the program.

In

Ian Geffrard, DL (Arkansas)

Zion Williams, DL (LSU)

Out

Melvin Hills III, DL (UConn)

Lavon Johnson, DL (Maryland)

Linebackers

Liona Lefau’s decision to leave for Colorado came as a surprise. It seemed he would be the heir apparent in the middle after Anthony Hill Jr. declared for the NFL draft. However, he opted to join Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes in Boulder.

Bo Barnes, who showed promise in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, also left for Kentucky. Running back CJ Baxter followed suit, ending up in the same program.

To offset these losses, Texas landed one of the top linebackers in the portal: Rasheem Biles from Pitt. He recorded two interception returns for touchdowns in 2025, an impressive feat for a linebacker. He will pair with Ty’Anthony Smith and Brad Spence to make a big impact in 2026.

Justin Cryer from Florida State is also joining the team. With eight starts as a junior for the Seminoles, he should provide valuable depth and see plenty of playing time.

In

Rasheem Biles, LB (Pitt)

Justin Cryer, LB (Florida State)

Out

Bo Barnes, LB (Kentucky)

Liona Lefau, LB (Colorado)

Secondary

The secondary situation could have been much worse for the Longhorns. The decision by Kobe Black, Warren Roberson, and Derek Williams Jr. to stay was a relief for the program. Blake Gideon, the new defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach, may have played a role in their decisions.

Three defensive backs left, but they weren’t major contributors to the game plan. Texas added Bo Mascoe from Rutgers, an honorable mention All-Big 10 selection. He started all 12 games at cornerback for the Scarlet Knights and recorded 53 tackles with an interception.

In

* Bo Mascoe, DB (Rutgers)

Out

Caleb Chester, DB (Arizona State)

Graham Gillespie, DB (North Texas)

* Santana Wilson, DB (Louisville)