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This week saw the start of the chaotic December window for underclassmen to access the NCAA Transfer Portal, which provides Texas football with some possible targets to target in the offseason. On December 4, the portal’s underclassmen entry window opened.

Some outstanding players from the FBS, particularly the Power Five, have already made announcements about their plans to use the December transfer window. On December 4, more major players appeared in the transfer portal, and this cycle’s action is far from over.

Walter Nolen, a former Texas A&M Aggies sophomore defensive lineman, is one player who made an entry into the transfer portal during the December window and has the Longhorns’ interest.

One of the biggest names to appear in the transfer portal this cycle is the former elite five-star from Powell (TN) High School.

On the evening of December 3, just prior to the portal window opening on December 4, he declared his intention to access the transfer portal.

Nolen was ranked as the second-best recruit in the country by 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking, and he was the best defensive line prospect in the 2022 class.

When the offseason approaches, Texas seems to be one of the universities Nolen will rank among his top choices in the portal. Walter Nolen Sr., Nolen’s father, told 247Sports that they will take into consideration “quite a few SEC schools” through the transfer portal.

Depending on who new head coach Mike Elko chooses to hire as defensive coordinator, Texas A&M may still have a chance with Nolen. Nolen and his father apparently approve of Elko’s hiring, but they still want to check into other options following Texas A&M’s dismissal of Jimbo Fisher as head coach this autumn.

Nolen’s list will also include other universities that he ranked among his top choices as a recruit fresh out of high school. Nolen visited and may be considering the Tennessee Volunteers, Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers after using the portal this cycle.

During his portal recruitment, the Oregon Ducks, Texas, and Alabama Crimson Tide are also anticipated to make an attempt to sign Nolen.

This cycle’s defensive line recruiting has benefited from Texas’ decision to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC in 2024. Also, since the majority of the schools Nolen is anticipated to look at are in the SEC, it might help the Longhorns have a reasonable chance of landing him during his portal recruiting process.

Texas wasn’t a consideration for Nolen early in his recruitment, so the Longhorns never made an offer to him while he was a high school recruit.

However, since Nolen committed to Fisher and the Aggies in their 2022 class two years ago, things have changed significantly in the college football landscape. Over the past few seasons, Texas and DL coach Bo Davis have produced defensive line talent at a rate that is unmatched by all but a handful of other Power Five programs.

T’Vondre Sweat, a redshirt senior defensive tackle from Texas, won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award and is predicted to be selected first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. In addition, junior defensive tackle Byron Murphy II of the Longhorns, who won the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year award, plays for Davis.

By next spring, Texas will probably have produced four or five defensive line draft selections, including Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo in 2023.

This offseason, Texas has a need at the position of defensive lineman.

On the defensive side of the ball, Texas is anticipated to heavily target the defensive line position in the portal this offseason. Sweat and Murphy are two of the defensive line starters that Davis and the Longhorns anticipate losing to the NFL Draft. In the upcoming weeks, senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins will also have to make a decision regarding the NFL Draft.