Longhorns Portal Report: Baxter & Wisner Depart, Williams Stays

AUSTIN, Texas – The January transfer window has been chaotic for the Texas Longhorns, with 19 players entering the portal as Head Coach Steve Sarkisian reshapes the roster for 2026.

Running Back Room Hit Hard

The most shocking news comes from the running back room. C.J. Baxter, once projected as the future star of the offense, has officially entered the transfer portal. He is joined by last season’s leading rusher, Quintrevion Wisner.

The departures leave Texas with a need for experienced depth in the backfield, though insiders suggest the staff is already heavily scouting proven portal options to pair with returning back Jaydon Blue.

Derek Williams Jr. Returns

In a massive win for the defense, safety Derek Williams Jr. has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal. Williams, a key piece of the secondary, initially signaled an intent to leave but was reportedly convinced to stay following the hiring of Will Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator.

His return provides critical stability to a secondary that faced significant potential turnover, locking in a proven starter for the 2026 campaign.

No Spring Game in 2026

Adding to the offseason intrigue, Coach Sarkisian announced that Texas will not hold a traditional Orange-White Spring Game in 2026. Citing the massive roster turnover and the risk of tampering, Sarkisian opted for closed scrimmages to focus on installing new schemes under Muschamp and integrating the wave of newcomers.

"We have too many new faces and too much to install," Sarkisian noted. "This spring is about work, not show."

Depth Chart Impact

The running back departures create the clearest offensive hole. Texas can still build around Arch Manning and a deep receiver group, but a reliable backfield is what keeps Sarkisian's play-action structure honest. The staff now needs both a lead option and a pass-protection answer.

Williams' return is just as important on defense. With Muschamp installing a new system, Texas benefits from a safety who already has live-game experience and can communicate checks. That stability can help younger corners and nickels play faster while the rest of the secondary sorts itself out.

Verification Notes

Closed scrimmages will make outside evaluation harder, so public depth chart movement may lag behind actual practice reps. We will weigh official roster updates, transfer additions, and postseason comments more heavily than rumors about spring alignment.