Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, even after coming away victorious in the Citrus Bowl over Michigan, has seen players leave for the transfer portal.
It’s already been an offseason filled with players like wide receiver Parker Livingstone, who now calls the Oklahoma Sooners his team, seeking greener pastures in college football. Well, Sarkisian saw another player depart on Wednesday.
Texas Longhorns Roster Shakeup Continues as Elijah ‘Bo’ Barnes Moves On
According to a post on X from On Texas Football, Longhorns linebacker Elijah “Bo” Barnes is going to look for a new team, too.
#Texas LB Elijah ‘Bo’ Barnes is entering the transfer portal.
Barnes appeared in four games for the #Horns, where he had four tackles and one sack. pic.twitter.com/caP0xBK87s
— OnTexasFootball (@ontexasfootball) January 7, 2026
“#Texas LB Elijah ‘Bo’ Barnes is entering the transfer portal. Barnes appeared in four games for the #Horns, where he had four tackles and one sack.”
Barnes now joins quite a lineup of Texas players in the transfer portal. Other now-former Longhorns include quarterback Trey Owens; running backs Quintrevion Wisner, Jerrick Gibson, CJ Baxter, and Ricky Stewart; and wide receivers Livingstone, DeAndre Moore, and Aaron Butler.
Others who have entered the transfer portal include offensive lineman Connor Stroh, Neto Umeozulu, Melvin Hills III, and Lavon Johnson; linebacker Liona Lefau; defensive backs Santana Wilson and Derek Williams Jr.; and kicker Will Stone.
As for Texas players entering the 2026 NFL Draft, they include senior defensive end Ethan Burke, senior defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau, junior linebacker Anthony Hill, senior linebacker Trey Moore, junior cornerback Malik Muhammad, and senior safety Michael Taaffe.
With this type of turnover, Sarkisian and his staff will need to be busy themselves when looking for new players in the transfer portal. Before the 2025 college football season started, the Longhorns were the preseason No. 1 favorite to win the College Football Playoff championship.
RELATED: Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Targets 1,864-YD Transfer Portal RB to Aid Arch Manning
But the season, along with some rough early play from then-Heisman Trophy contender quarterback Arch Manning, didn’t get off to a good start. Texas’ early showings sent them out of the preseason top spot and down the line of teams looking for College Football Playoff glory.
According to the PFSN’s CFB Offense Impact Metric, Texas finished with a C+ (79.9) grade. The Longhorns, though, finished 10-3 overall after beating the Wolverines. Manning put on quite a show himself, establishing his name among the Heisman Trophy favorites for 2026. When Manning runs the Texas offense once again next season, he’s going to see some fresh faces out there on the field.
