The Big Ten and Pac-12 made the decision to cancel their seasons on Monday, possibly moving to the spring semester.
Some of the best players in the country live in those two conferences, giving ACC, Big 12, and SEC teams the opportunity of a whole new transfer market.
One thing is seen as the ultimate goal for most college footballers: making it to the NFL. Big-time programs like Texas could give those Big Ten and Pac-12 players the chance to do just that.
Texas is in particular need of depth and experience in a few positions. Especially on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and on the linebacker position.
Tom Herman has already done a decent job in the transfer market, bringing in wide receiver Tarik Black in Michigan this offseason.
Now is a chance to improve the roster, grabbing some of the best talent in the country.
Here are nine players that Texas should target from the Big Ten and Pac-12:
Jahad Woods – LB Washington State
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Texas already lost on a Pac-12 linebacker transfer to Tony Fields, so why not go for another one? Jahad Woods will enter his senior season at Washington State as the only bright spot in her defense. His 141 linebacker tackles were the second-most in the Pac-12 last season, just behind Evan Weaver of California. The Longhorns are looking for another middle linebacker and Woods could provide direct production.
Chris Olave – WR Ohio State
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It’s disappointing that the Big Ten decided to cancel their season because seeing Chris Olave with quarterback Justin Fields would be exciting. Now, going to Olave would give Sam Ehlinger a direct spark in Mike Yurcich’s offense. Able to line up outside or inside the slot, Olave would bring a new, electric dynamic to the wide receiving core of Texas.
Walker Little – OT Stanford
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What’s better than having one future first draft pick on your offensive line? Two future first-round picks on your offensive line. Walker Little and Samuel Cosmi would immediately tackle the best left / right combination in the country. Texas was the first school to give Little back in May 2015. Finally, they could choose Stanford, the Longhorns could make a call to a former in-state five-star prospect.
Pat Freiermuth – TE Penn State
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If there’s any weakness in the Texas offense, it’s on the tight end. Who better to solidify the position immediately than Pat Freiermuth, the best tight end in the country. In two seasons at Penn State, Freiermuth has 875 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 6-5 256-pound frame has salivated NFL scouts, projecting him as a first-round pick in the 2021 Draft. A red zone target is exactly what Sam Ehlinger needs.
Paddy Fisher – LB Northwest
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Paddy Fisher had a down season to his standards in 2019, but has been consistent throughout his three seasons in Chicago. With over 100 tackles his freshman and sophomore season, Fisher would be a great addition to Texas’ new-look linebacking core. Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald is known for building tough defensive players. Fisher would bring a new level of toughness to the Longhorns defense.
Osa Odighizuwa – DT UCLA
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Pressure in the middle will be the key to the Texas defensive line next season and having 10 tackles from Osa Odighizuwa for loss and 3.5 sacks would do the trick. Listed at 6-2 and 279 pounds, Odighizuwa would become the star on UCLA’s defensive line in 2020. Now, with Pac’s canceled season 12, the redshirt junior will be without football. Moro Ojomo and freshman Vernon Broughton are the favorites to play defensive approach this season, but Odighizuwa would be an influential player.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette – WR Iowa
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Another big ten wide receiver who could stand for Texas is Ihmir Smith-Marsette of Iowa. The senior had a breakout season last year, and had 722 yards and five touchdowns in the Hawkeyes’ pro-style offense. Listed at 6-1 and 186 pounds, Smith-Marsette would be an outside, deep threat to Sam Ehlinger. He would be a perfect fit at the Z receiver on the other side of Brennan Eagles.
Nate Landman – LB Colorado
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The third and final linebacker goal, Nate Landman was also a defensive leader on a porous defense. His 113 tackles were fourth in the conference last season. In 2018, he had 15 tackles for loss. Texas desperately needs help to cause backfield problems and Landman would provide that. Chris Ash could have some fun scheme ways to use the former first-team All-Pac-12 linebacker.
Drew Dalman – Stanford Center
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Getting a brand new center could allow Derek Kerstetter to return to right tackle, where he played last season. Dalman will become a senior, so without transfer, his college football career is over. Dalman finished second season All-Pac 12 last season, proving to be a top offensive lineman in the country. Having too much depth on offensive line is never a bad thing.
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