J.D. PicKell: Texas needs transfers to gel quickly in 2022

Steve Sarkisian had no other option but to dip into the transfer portal this offseason. The Texas roster was in need of a major overhaul, even after his first season. After acquiring big names such as quarterback Quinn Ewers and even defensive back Ryan Watts (both from Ohio State), Sarkisian was able to accomplish his goal, at an impressive rate as well.

On3’s J.D. PicKell recently discussed the transfers Texas brought in, realizing how big of a piece to the puzzle they will be during 2022. But his one concern is how quickly they can all gel into the program. Getting to go through spring practice helps but when your transfers are going to start right away, making sure they instantly fit in will be crucial for the Longhorns.

“The transfers need to gel and need to gel fast,” PicKell said. “Any time you’re the new kid in school, it’s going to take some time to get up to speed. Luxury for Texas — they got a lot of those new kids into school for the spring semester. They went through spring ball. And the reason why this is so important, a lot of these transfers are in a position to make an impact. A lot of these guys are going to play in the fall and play early. A lot of these guys are going to be starters.”

Jahleel Billingsley, Isaiah Neyor viewed as key offensive transfers

PicKell identified two key offensive transfers, with former Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley being the first. Despite having decent stats in Tuscaloosa, he entered the transfer portal and left in favor of Texas. Whether or not he can reset his mind and fully buy into the Texas program is PicKell’s biggest question surrounding Billingsley.

“Jahleel Billingsley being one of them,” PicKell said. “Has he bought into the culture at Texas? Has he bought into what he needs to do to take that next step as a player? Lot of things were said about him at Alabama and this, that, and the other. With him not getting a long with (Nick) Saban and that’s kind of all a narrative. But has he taken a new perspective at Texas?”

Billingsley caught 35 balls for 543 yards and six touchdowns over the past two years with Alabama. Half of that production came with Sarkisian as his offensive coordinator. If he can get into sync with Ewers early, Texas has to think he will be a top contributor in the offense.

Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor may be the safer bet than Billingsley. Coming over via Wyoming, Neyor is expected to be the No. 2 guy beside Xavier Worthy. Like Billingsley, PicKell thinks getting timing down with Ewers is going to be key with his new receiver.

“Guys like Isaiah Neyor,” PicKell said. “He’s going to be looked at a lot. Playing opposite of Xavier Worthy. Is he able to get on the same page as Ewers? Because anytime you have a new receiver and new quarterback, it takes a second to get on the same page timing-wise.”

J.D. PicKell hammers home point about quarterback, receiver timing

PicKell made sure to hammer his point down about getting timing down between a brand new quarterback and pass catcher. One mistake and the other team is going to benefit or somebody could get seriously hurt.

“You can’t be throwing it out late to your guy Neyor otherwise it’s a pick-six the other way. You can’t be going late to Jahleel Billingsley over the middle otherwise he’s getting his block knocked off. So if they can get on the same page timing-wise sooner rather than later, that’s going to be a really big deal.”

Texas progress can be tracked Week 2 against Alabama

Looking for different checkpoints for Texas, there’s no better one than the presumable No. 1 team in the country coming into town. Saban will lead Alabama into Austin for an 11 a.m. kickoff and be looking to get their own season off to a solid start.

PicKell says the country will know how well the transfers have gelled during the Week 2 matchup against the Crimson Tide. While future home games against Baylor and Iowa State were also mentioned, Alabama is on a different level.

“Another game you have in Austin is Alabama in Week 2 and you better have your timing right in Week 2 in Austin. You better have your timing right when the Crimson Tide come to the crib. Because if you don’t, it’s going to show. We will learn a lot about this Texas team in Week 2.

“We will learn a lot about how far along this Texas team is, especially on offense, in Week 2 against Alabama. So, gelling, especially with guys they brought in through the transfer portal, at the skill position, is going to be crucial to the success of this team. Especially early.”