Skip to main content
texas logo

Texas' portal exploits on full display in Peach Bowl victory over Arizona State

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•01/02/25
Andrew Mukuba
Andrew Mukuba | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

It’s long been known Texas is an apex predator when it comes to the portal and NIL but it didn’t dawn on me how important transfers were in the thrilling Peach Bowl victory over Arizona State until cruising Twitter this morning trying to recapture the feeling from the game.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY and get 7 days for just ONE DOLLAR!]

I came across this video of one of the game’s many heroes, Andrew Mukuba. 

Here Mukuba is seen celebrating with Texas’ General Manager Brandon Harris. Mukuba is then seen embracing a man who looks a lot like Scott Freeman. Freeman is one of the bedrocks of Texas’ NIL apparatus. During the embrace, Freeman acknowledges the portal transfers as “balling out.”

He is correct to sing the praises of Texas’ transfers. Where to begin?

Silas Bolden, Texas’ bite-sized kamikaze was long overdue for a massive punt return. Previously, Bolden’s biggest play of the season was his full-tilt fumble recovery in the end zone against Oklahoma. His play-style, more akin to a toy car you wind up and let go, has given fans anxiety all season but there’s a reason the coaches have not wanted to temper the aggression that makes him so dangerous. Bolden was a massive get from Oregon State and I wish he had another year. 

Andrew Mukuba, Texas’ athletic and intelligent cover-safety from Clemson, sealed the game with his interception in overtime. On the play, he looked more like a cornerback than safety when he jumped the route. In fact, he jumped it so well Craig Way knew it would be picked before it actually happened. Listen to the change in Way’s voice with the ball in the air.

Mukuba being an Austin native had fans clamoring for him to be in burnt orange since he was in high school. Due to poor recruiting from the previous staff, Mukuba felt more wanted at Clemson. After three seasons with Dabo Swinney he came home and outside of a minor injury the season couldn’t have gone better. Once a rising star in college football, that trajectory has been fully restored in Austin.

Matthew Golden, a miss by Texas in the 2022 recruiting cycle, stayed home and went to Houston where he showed a knack for big special teams plays and finding the end zone. While much of the offseason hype was justifiably focused on fellow transfer Isaiah Bond, there was still plenty of excitement regrading Golden all offseason, even after spring ball when he was limited due to a minor injury. We’ve had sources who have felt he’s the most complete receiver on the roster and he sure looked the part against Arizona State. He not only hauled in the season-saving 4th and 13 touchdown, he made difficult plays throughout on his way to 7 receptions for 149 yards. 

The biggest play of the season.

Trey Moore, an Edge from UTSA, got off to a bit of slow start statistically speaking but he has been on fire since the Vanderbilt game in late October. He had two sacks, five pressures, and four tackles while chasing down Arizona State’s slithery quarterback.

Bill Norton has made a massive, if harder to notice impact, for the Texas defense this season. Norton was acquired from Arizona to replace the heft lost by T’Vondre Sweat‘s departure. He has been a rock for Texas as the man in the middle of the Horns’ numerous goal line stands this season. Norton probably could have gotten even more playing time against the Sun Devils.

Hmmm, seems like someone else should be mentioned. How about QB1? Though he wasn’t added this past offseason, Quinn Ewers has been Texas’ highest profile acquisition out of portal. Ewers’ poise on the Golden touchdown with everything on the line is to be applauded. His earlier scramble for a touchdown run was a high level play. His second overtime touchdown to Gunnar Helm was also a thing of beauty. And let’s not forget the two-play drive on Texas’ very first possession where his accuracy was on display. Massive game from Ewers.

[Subscribe to the Inside Texas YouTube channel!]

I don’t want to take anything away from Texas’ homegrown stars, of which there are many, but Steve Sarkisian has done a wonderful job of building his roster through both the draft (recruiting) and free agency (portal). You need to excel in both regards to excel in modern college football. Look no further than Texas’ next opponent for more proof.

You may also like