Texas Portal Rumors: Special signings, RB miss, courting a big TE
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Day three of the portal window has come and gone and it was an up-and-down day for Steve Sarkisian and company. There were four commitments, including filling out the special teams, but there was bad news that changes the outlook for this Texas portal window.
Let’s jump into what yesterday held and why today could be incredibly busy for the Longhorns:
Issac Brown – Louisville RB
This is the bad news. Issac Brown, a top-tier RB and the Longhorns top target in the portal, has decided to return to Louisville instead of transferring. That is a rather massive blow for the Longhorns, particularly because Jadan Baugh has yet to enter the portal and Tre Wisner is already looking for a new home. Now, this doesn’t mean Texas can’t get Baugh or another elite RB over the next week but this changes many things for the Longhorns, particularly the likely price tag to get that eventual star at RB.
NEW: Star RB Isaac Brown is staying at Louisville and will not enter the NCAA transfer portal, @Hayesfawcett3 and @petenakos report. https://t.co/pASgYgANimhttps://t.co/JeDPJdCfECpic.twitter.com/4Mhzde1tux
— On3 (@On3sports) January 5, 2026
Cam Coleman – Auburn WR
Coleman’s recruitment is going to be on the longer side it seems. Cam Coleman was in Austin this weekend, but has now made his way to College Station, with visits to USC, Texas Tech and Alabama possible. It seems this is going to be a very professional style approach from Coleman and his agent, David Mulugheta. That is rather unsurprising considering how coveted a prospect Coleman is, particularly at a premium position. We will learn more as the A&M visit concludes and more begin, but as of right now, it still seems the Longhorns are in poll position here.
Am told that Cam Coleman has arrived for his visit to Texas A&M following his trip to Texas.
Coleman is the No. 1 WR in the @247SportsPortal rankings and a former five-star recruit.https://t.co/cDd87ghvyWpic.twitter.com/wtt0PHOKcn
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 4, 2026
Ian Geffrard – Arkansas DL
This is where the good news started and it didn’t stop. The Longhorns locked up former Arkansas nose tackle, Ian Geffrard, and Muschamp added his first recruit at Texas. Geffrard is likely to be a rotational piece at NT, possibly with Alex January or Josiah Sharma. Geffrard brings remarkable size at 388lbs and with the athletic ability the Longhorns have at DT, the goal is to free up Kanu, Terry and others to get 1-on-1s. This is far from the most interesting addition of the class, but it could be an important one, much like Cole Brevard a year ago.
BOOM!!! #Texas gets a commitment from #Arkansas DT transfer Ian Geffrard.
Geffrard visited over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/dBggUirhL4
— OnTexasFootball (@ontexasfootball) January 4, 2026
Gianni Spetic – Memphis K
This is where the special teams landslide began. Texas locked with Spetic, an experienced, strong-legged kicker to its class, replacing Mason Shipley. Spetic was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist this season and 15/20 on the year. He has incredible range as well, hitting 4/5 kicks from 50+ this season. This is a strong addition at a position that Texas badly needs experience at.
Hook ‘em!! 🤘@CoachSark@CoachJeffBanks@Matt_Moran_#committedpic.twitter.com/ndJgzVFguy
— Gianni (@gianni8spetic) January 4, 2026
Trey De Buc – New Mexico LS
Possibly the least talked about position on the team is long snapper, but it’s very important and Texas has found theirs. De Buc started his career at South Florida before joining the Lobos. He played in every game last season and even had two tackles. Not many stats to go off of here, but an experienced replacement for Lance St. Louis is a positive.
Extremely thankful to be offered a scholarship at the University of Texas. I am extremely thankful for @CoachSark and @CoachJeffBanks for giving me this elite opportunity to play big time football every week. With that I have signed to the University of Texas! #HookEm 🤘🤘 pic.twitter.com/KisvDvesbh
— Trey DuBuc (@treydubuc67) January 4, 2026
Mac Chuimento – Florida State P
To round out the special special teams day, Texas locked up Mac Chuimento. Chuimento averaged 44 yards per punt in 2025 for the Seminoles and landed 13 of his 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. Jack Bouwmeester was a true weapon for the Longhorns this season and it seems Chuimento will be much of the same.
Former Florida State punter Mac Chiumento announced on Instagram he has committed to Texas.
Chiumento averaged 44 yards per punt in 2025, with 13 punts landing inside the 20.
Jeff Banks lands his third commitment of the day and has his specialists for 2026. #HookEm
— HornSports (@HornSports) January 5, 2026
Michael Masunas – Michigan State TE
Moving forward, it seems Texas is hunting for a replacement for Jack Endries, or at least an experienced depth piece for the TE room. Masunas had just 19 catches for 232 yards and 3 TDs in 2025 but at 6-5, 255lbs, he brings elite blocking to the table. This would be a nice pickup to allow Nick Townsend, Emaree Winston and Spencer Shannon to be the dynamic pass catchers they are capable of being in 2026.
Michigan State TE Michael Masunas (@MasunasMichael) plans to enter the portal, his agency @ethos_sg tells @247Sports.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound TE had 19 catches for 232 yards and 3 TDs this season. He has 2 years of eligibility remaining.https://t.co/ms0stYAyo7pic.twitter.com/vh1t6WRsmi
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 27, 2025
Cade Uluave – Cal LB
This is a name to watch as a possible visitor to Austin soon. Uluave is a junior who has put together one of the best careers of any active LB in college football. He earned first-team All-ACC honors this season, was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and has 235 tackles in his three year career. This would be a perfect addition to a young LB room to hold down the center of the defense and possibly even wear the green dot.
All-ACC Cal LB Cade Uluave (6-1, 235) is a loss for Tosh Lupoi
🐻Career: 235 tkls, 6 sacks, 2 FF, 3 INT
🐻19 tackles vs. VA Tech
🐻Dad played LB @ Southern Utah; Cousin was an OL @ Cal
🐻27 starts & played RB a couple game🐻Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of Year🎥 @JetsPickshttps://t.co/DMvTHuMvEgpic.twitter.com/FD2uDPLIaD
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 4, 2026
Former Longhorn Update:
Connor Stroh commits to Kansas: One of the losses on the OL has found his new home in Lawrence, Kansas. Stroh played rotationally at LG early in the season for Texas, but was unlikely to find snaps in 2026 for the Longhorns.
Caleb Chester commits to Arizona State: Chester came in as a talented freshman recruit, but couldn’t break through among Littleton and Phillip’s breakouts. Arizona State is a great landing spot and one many Longhorns before Chester have found.
Jerrick Gibson commits to Purdue: Gibson was one of two Longhorn transfers to leave without burning their redshirt, and he’s found his new home with Barry Odom and the Boilermakers. Gibson had fumble problems at Texas, but I am bullish on the young RB’s future.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football Portal Rumors: Special teams overhaul, RB target miss
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