College Football Playoff Contender Loses Ninth Player To Transfer Portal

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The trend of players re-entering the transfer portal after signing with a new program in the same offseason continues. This time, it’s a former top-10 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class.

Kendrick Blackshire spent three seasons playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he recorded 25 total tackles and two tackles for loss. After entering the transfer portal, he announced his commitment to the Texas Longhorns this offseason.

It was a massive addition for the Longhorns as Texas needed to replace key contributors such as Jaylan Ford and Jett Bush, who both declared for the NFL Draft.

While the Longhorns signed a strong recruiting class at linebacker over the past few years, Texas needed an influx of leadership to the position. But just a few months into his time with the Longhorns, he’s decided to enter the portal once again.

Texas has now lost nine players to the transfer portal this spring. Blackshire joins linebacker S’Maje Burrell, running back Savion Red, offensive lineman Payton Kirkland, EDGE J’Mond Tapp, EDGE Billy Walton, defensive lineman Zac Swanson, cornerback Terrance Brooks and cornerback Austin Jordan.

Some could argue that this is the Longhorns processing players out of the program, but Texas will need multiple young players to step into big roles next season.