J.D. PicKell: Why Texas transfers need to get on the same page sooner than later

Texas brought in an impressive transfer portal haul this year, most notably landing former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers. All told, the Longhorns brought in seven transfers, including five players on offense.

That’s a lot of new faces. It’ll take time to get them all in sync — but On3’s J.D. PicKell argued that has to happen sooner than later.

Ewers, a former Five Star Plus+ recruit, is the crown jewel of the group as the No. 4 transfer to hit the portal, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor came in as the No. 9 transfer after leaving Wyoming while former Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley was No. 11. Agiye Hall, who also transferred from Alabama, was On3’s No. 35-ranked portal prospect, making four top-40 pickups on offense for Steve Sarkisian’s group.

Those are a lot of new faces that will have to transition to the offense. However, PicKell said if it takes too long for them to get acquainted, it could hamper the Longhorns’ success this season.

“You say, ‘Quinn Ewers is a transfer.’ I know he’s a transfer, but so [are] a lot of other guys in this offense,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “Jahleel Billingsley, transferring from Alabama. Agiye Hall, transferring receiver from Alabama. Isaiah Neyor, transferring from Wyoming to Texas. A lot of guys in this offense that need to get on the same page. It’s a big deal transferring to a new offense, yes. It might be an even bigger deal having a receiver and a quarterback both being transfers trying to get on the same page. Like I’ve mentioned in previous videos, if your quarterback and receiver aren’t on the same page on an out route, it’s a pick-six. If you’re not on the same page on a deep ball, it’s a pick for the safety or your receiver’s getting blown up.

“So there’s a lot of things that got to fall into place in terms of being on the same page. Timing-wise, I think they can get there, but how long does that take? You need all of fall camp and then by game one, you’re ready to go? Or do you need to play Alabama and then get a couple more games down the schedule and then by game seven, you’re on the same page? That’s too late, folks. That can’t be the story with Texas. You’ve got to get on the same page early to allow Quinn Ewers to be successful and to get comfortable.”