Bryant, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive lineman from Southaven, Mississippi, has entered the transfer portal after playing three seasons with the Texas Longhorns. Over the past three years, he appeared in 13 games, contributing to the Longhorns’ defensive line rotation. Bryant’s most notable appearances in the 2024 regular season included significant roles in the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma and in Week 11’s home matchup against Florida. Despite his involvement in these high-profile contests, Bryant has accumulated limited stats, recording two combined tackles and two defensive stops across 95 defensive snaps since the 2022 season, according to Pro Football Focus.
This marks a significant loss for Texas’ defensive front, as Bryant is the second defensive tackle to leave the team through the transfer portal in just a few days. Last week, redshirt sophomore Jaray Bledsoe made his intentions known to enter the transfer portal when the winter window opened on December 9. Both players had been part of a defensive line unit that was expected to be a strength for the Longhorns moving forward. With the departures of Bryant and Bledsoe, Texas now faces a critical need to bolster its defensive tackle depth for the 2025 season.
The losses come at a crucial time, as defensive line coach Kenny Baker’s unit is left with only a few scholarship defensive tackles who are projected to return for next season. These departures leave Texas with limited experience and depth at a key position in the trenches. The team will likely need to pursue additional talent, either through the transfer portal or recruiting, to fill these gaps and remain competitive in the rugged Big 12 conference.
Bryant’s departure, while adding to the uncertainty, also opens the door for younger players and potential transfers to step up and earn significant playing time in the coming seasons. The Longhorns’ coaching staff will now need to adapt to these changes and possibly accelerate their plans to strengthen the defensive line. This trend of players entering the transfer portal has become increasingly common in college football, and Texas is no exception as it continues to navigate roster changes and build for the future.
The loss of Bryant and Bledsoe further underscores the evolving nature of college football rosters and the ever-growing influence of the transfer portal, which has reshaped team dynamics across the country. As Texas looks ahead, the coaching staff will undoubtedly need to focus on developing the remaining defensive tackles and exploring new ways to maintain defensive strength in the upcoming seasons.
