Texas Longhorns Add No. 1 Ranked Defensive Back in Transfer Portal Amid Preparation for Huge College Football Playoff Game

The Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian are not abandoning the recruiting trail while preparing for their College Football Playoff matchup with the Washington Huskies as they received a commitment from the No. 1 transfer portal defensive back, Andrew Mukuba.

You know the crib is the A , I had to let it be (B)

COMMITTED !!🤘🏾 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/l1dOKoCjjv

— Andrew Mukuba ¹ (@Andrewmukuba2) December 18, 2023

Mukuba was initially recruited by the Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney. He declared his intention to transfer following the worst season the Tigers have endured since 2010.

pic.twitter.com/YrtBfk9AoG

— Andrew Mukuba ¹ (@Andrewmukuba2) December 5, 2023

The No. 14 overall transfer portal prospect will be heading back to his hometown of Austin, Texas. Mukuba had to make his initial commitment without the benefit of official visits due to COVID. The former four-star safety was heavily recruited by the Longhorns during his initial recruitment cycle, and even received an offer from them a month before Swinney and the Tigers came in with an offer of their own.

The Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian are adding talent to the back end in Clemson Tigers’ transfer Andrew Mukuba

Mukuba’s three years with the Tigers displayed the level of talent he possesses. Not only was Mukuba a three-year starter, but he was the first ever true freshman defensive back to start for Clemson at the beginning of the season.

Mukuba started for Swinney 31 times, and found his way onto the field an additional four times. In those performances, Mukuba amassed 143 tackles, 17 pass break-ups and an interception.

The former Tiger earned several ACC accolades in his time with Clemson. As a sophomore and a junior he was an All-ACC honorable mention. When Mukuba was a true freshman, he earned third-team All-ACC honors as well as ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Most recently, the Austin native contributed to a Clemson defense that ranked fifth in the nation in pass defense, and seventh in the nation in total defense. Mukuba had the third most tackles on said defense.

The Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian needed to fill spots in the secondary

Mukuba will have big shoes to fill in those of Jadhe Barron, Texas’ current starting safety. Barron has 149 tackles and three interceptions in four years with the Longhorns. One of the things that makes him hard to replace is the fact that he played every position in the secondary.

Barron didn’t only play safety, he filled in at cornerback and was the secondary’s anchor at the nickel and STAR positions. To fill Barron’s shoes, Mukuba will have to be able to display a similar level of versatility.

Texas recruiting expert Justin Wells discussed Mukuba’s skillset on an Inside Texas Football interview. Wells argued Mukuba had the necessary versatility.

He can play both safety spots, field and boundary. He might be the next STAR and nickel at Texas back there,” said Wells. “He’s got the ability to cover guys in the slot, but he’s also tremendous in run support.”

The Longhorns will be losing a multitude of players from their secondary. Barron, Kitan Crawford and Jerrin Thompson will be graduating/entering the draft while B.J. Allen, Larry Turner Gooden and Jalen Catalon are entering the transfer portal. The 2024 season will be Mukuba’s fourth and final year, as he was not an NCAA player in 2020 and will not be granted an extra COVID year.

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