Texas Longhorns Lose Leading Rusher to Transfer Portal
The Texas Longhorns offense was dealt a significant blow on Thursday as veteran running back Quintrevion Wisner announced his intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Wisner’s agent, Grayson Sheena of AiC Sports, confirmed the news to ESPN, signaling the departure of a key contributor who has led the Longhorns in rushing for consecutive seasons.
Wisner plans to officially enter the portal when the window opens on January 2, seeking a new home for his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Texas Longhorns Lose A Proven Playmaker
Wisner leaves Austin with a resume of production and reliability. The 6-foot, 194-pound Dallas native enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, cementing himself as the engine of the Texas ground game. That season, he racked up 1,064 rushing yards and 311 receiving yards, scoring six total touchdowns. His versatile skillset earned him third-team All-SEC honors and played a pivotal role in the Longhorns’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Despite battling a leg injury that cost him three games early in the 2025 season, Wisner remained the team’s most effective option out of the backfield. He finished the year with 597 rushing yards and four touchdowns, providing a spark for a rushing attack that struggled statistically, ranking No. 101 nationally.
Wisner saved one of his best performances for last, dominating rival Texas A&M in the season finale. He rushed for 155 yards on 19 carries, helping Texas secure a 27-17 upset victory over the then-undefeated and third-ranked Aggies.
Depth Concerns for Texas
Wisner’s departure creates a glaring void in the Longhorns’ backfield and highlights a growing depth concern at the position. He becomes the fourth Texas running back to declare for the transfer portal this cycle, joining CJ Baxter, Jerrick Gibson, and Rickey Stewart Jr.
This mass exodus leaves the running back room thin on experience. With the top veterans moving on, the Longhorns are currently left with young reserves Christian Clark and James Simon as the primary scholarship players returning for the 2026 season.
The roster turnover coincides with changes on the coaching staff. Texas parted ways with first-year running backs coach Chad Scott earlier this month, subsequently hiring Jabbar Juluke from Florida as the new associate head coach and running backs coach. Juluke will now be tasked with rebuilding a depleted unit through recruiting and the transfer portal to ensure the Longhorns maintain a competitive ground game in the formidable SEC.
Final Thoughts
As Wisner explores his options, he will likely be a highly sought-after commodity in the portal, offering interested programs a proven, all-purpose back capable of thriving at the highest level of college football.
