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Evaluating Texas' offseason defensive tackle portal targets with data from the 2024 season

Joe Cookby:Joe Cookabout 8 hours

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Bill Norton
Bill Norton (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

It was no secret that the Texas Longhorns needed defensive tackles during the winter and spring portal windows following the 2023 season. Texas looked to add depth to play behind Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton after Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat departed for the NFL.

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They added Bill Norton, Tiaoalii Savea, and Jermayne Lole during the two transfer windows in addition to signing Alex January and Melvin Hills in the 2024 class. But they kicked the tires on a number of other defensive tackle prospects.

What have those portalers done since they found a new school?

Walter Nolen, Texas A&M > Ole Miss

PFF Defensive Grade: 84.7
Stats: 27 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery
Snap count: 374
Team record: 6-2 (2-2 SEC)

Derrick Harmon, Michigan State > Oregon

PFF Defensive Grade: 83.2
Stats: 27 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles
Snap count: 297
Team record: 8-0 (5-0 Big 10)

Simeon Barrow, Michigan State > Miami (Fla.)

PFF Defensive Grade: 85.2
Stats: 25 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble
Snap count: 254
Team record: 8-0 (4-0 ACC)

Ja’Maree Caldwell, Houston > Oregon

PFF Defensive Grade: 73.9
Stats: 17 tackles, 3.0 TFL, one forced fumble
Snap count: 264
Team record: 8-0 (5-0 Big 10)

Damonic Williams, TCU > Oklahoma

PFF Defensive Grade: 69.9
Stats: 21 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks
Snap count: 265
Team record: 4-4 (1-4 SEC)

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Johnny Bowens, Oregon > UTSA

PFF Defensive Grade: N/A
Stats: N/A
Snap count: 0
Team record: 3-5 (1-3 AAC)

Bill Norton, Arizona > Texas

PFF Defensive Grade: 63.0
Stats: Eight tackles
Snap count: 106
Team record: 7-1 (3-1 SEC)

Tiaoalii Savea, Arizona > Texas

PFF Defensive Grade: 48.3
Stats: Three tackles, 1.0 TFL
Snap count: 37
Team record: 7-1 (3-1 SEC)

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Jermayne Lole, Louisville > Texas

PFF Defensive Grade: 79.9
Stats: 19 tackles, 3.0 TFL
Snap count: 207
Team record: 7-1 (3-1 SEC)

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