Texas offensive lineman Payton Kirkland plans to enter transfer portal

Texas offensive lineman Payton Kirkland is planning to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Kirkland, who is an Orlando, Florida native, was a recruit in the class of 2023.

He was rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 30 offensive tackle in the country coming out of high school, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Payton Kirkland held offers from several of the top programs in the country coming out of high school, including in-state schools Miami, Florida and Florida State.

Kirkland did not appear in a game last season as the Longhorns finished 12-2 (8-1), winning the Big 12 and advancing to the College Football Playoff.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

Kirkland missed practice time last season as he dealt with an injury. He is sure to have plenty of schools after him as he still has four years of eligibility remaining to continue to grow and develop as a player.

Texas is set to hold its spring game this coming Saturday. The Longhorns will begin the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Colorado State.

Texas Longhorns linebacker S’Maje Burrell also plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Payton Kirkland isn’t the only Texas Longhorns player to reveal recently that he plans to enter the transfer portal.

Last week, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced that redshirt freshman linebacker S’Maje Burrell would be suspended indefinitely.

Not long after, the young talented linebacker announced he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, a move that was not surprising to individuals close to the program.

Burrell revealed the news via social media with the following message attached.

“I would like to thank God for the opportunity of being at the University of Texas. I want to thank my family and brothers for supporting me. I am extremely grateful for coach Sark and the Longhorn staff. I will be entering the transfer portal with four years of eligibility,” Burrell via Twitter.

Burrell played high school football at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, TX, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 317 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Burrell was suspended indefinitely from the program by Sarkisian after his name was listed in the report following former Longhorns defensive star T’Vondre Sweat’s DWI. The Texas head coach released the following statement on April 10.

“We’re aware of the situation involving S’Maje Burrell and have suspended him indefinitely from all team activities for conduct detrimental to the program,” said Sarkisian, according to On3’s Joe Cook of Inside Texas.