Last weekend, Texas football received three visitors who are among the NCAA Transfer Portal’s top objectives. Texas hosted three gateway visitors: former Alabama Crimson Tide sophomore outstanding wide receiver Isaiah Bond, Oregon State Beavers redshirt junior slot receiver Silas Bolden, and junior Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire.
Bond committed to head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns during his official visit to Texas on January 14.
Texas football battling Ole Miss for Alabama transfer LB Kendrick Blackshire
Bolden and Blackshire’s official trips have yielded favorable results so far. Texas came out of Bolden’s official visit as the assumed leader in his gateway recruitment.
Blackshire was more reserved about his recent visits to Texas and the Ole Miss Rebels.
According to reports from Blackshire’s camp, Texas appears to be in a good position to sign the seasoned former Alabama linebacker early this week. Orangebloods’ Jason Suchomel stated on Jan. 15 (subscription content) that Texas “made a strong impression” on Blackshire during his weekend visit.
A decision could be coming soon from Blackshire
Texas and Ole Miss are both vying for a commitment from Blackshire. If Blackshire commits to the Longhorns, he will most likely make a choice within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Former Alabama transfer LB Kendrick Blackshire arriving in Austin for his visit to Texas last night. pic.twitter.com/0Z2MUMTzG6
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) January 14, 2024
Blackshire wants to enroll in the spring semester, which begins on January 16 at UT.
Classes at Ole Miss apparently begin a week after Texas, giving Blackshire more time to decide whether he prefers the Rebels to the Longhorns.
Texas staying active in the portal early this offseason
Sarkisian and the Longhorns staff have had tremendous success with portal recruiting since the December transfer window opened on December 4. Bond’s pledge on January 14 gives the Longhorns four highly anticipated portal additions this transfer season.
The Longhorns’ other three portal pledges are Matthew Golden, a former Houston Cougars sophomore wide receiver, Andrew Mukuba, a junior safety for Clemson, and Trey Moore, a redshirt sophomore edge rusher from UTSA.