Texas' defensive and special teams players who transferred out in 2026 have found new homes in college football, with many projected as starters at their new schools. This speaks to the level of talent the Longhorns are amassing in recent years. Let's take a closer look at where these departed players will be lining up this fall.
Defense (6)
LB Liona Lefau
Liona Lefau, a 6-foot-1, 227-pound linebacker, played in 42 games with 21 starts for Texas, paired alongside Anthony Hill Jr., a second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans. Lefau's best season at Texas was as a sophomore in 2024, when he posted 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble. However, his game dipped in 2025, with 69 tackles, three TFL, one sack, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. At Colorado, Lefau is projected as a starter at middle linebacker on a defense that has been completely overhauled with transfers under new defensive coordinator Chris Marve.
Personally, I think Lefau's move to Colorado is an interesting development. The Longhorns lost a good linebacker in Lefau, but the Buffs are getting a player who, while not great, has proven he can be a solid contributor. The fact that Colorado has zero returning starters and has been overhauled with transfers makes Lefau's arrival even more significant. It will be fascinating to see how he fits into the new defensive scheme and whether he can help the Buffs turn things around.
LB Elijah Barnes
Elijah Barnes, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, played in four games while redshirting as a freshman at Texas last season. However, he made his presence felt in the Longhorns' Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan when he closed quickly on the Wolverines' quarterback for an 8-yard sack. At Kentucky, Barnes is in a battle with two returning juniors for a starting position, but he appears to be solidly in the two-deep for first-year coach Will Stein, whose defense will be run by Jay Bateman, the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M the last two seasons.
In my opinion, Barnes' move to Kentucky is a bit of a surprise. He showed potential at Texas, and the fact that he's in a battle for a starting position at Kentucky suggests he has the talent to succeed. However, the presence of two returning juniors in the mix could make it challenging for him to crack the starting lineup. It will be interesting to see how he handles the competition and whether he can make a name for himself in the SEC.
DT Lavon Johnson
Lavon Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle, transferred from Maryland to Texas last offseason. However, a high ankle sprain sidelined him most of spring football and put him behind, and he never seemed to catch up. Now, he has returned to Maryland, where he is projected as a starter for a Terrapins' team that went 4-8 last season.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that Johnson's move back to Maryland is a bit of a redemption story. He had a tough time at Texas due to injury, but he has the opportunity to make a fresh start and prove himself at his alma mater. The Terrapins are in need of defensive tackles, and Johnson has the size and potential to fill that role. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the ACC and whether he can help the Terrapins improve their defense.
Special Teams (1)
K Will Stone
Will Stone, a kickoff specialist, played in 47 games for Texas the last four seasons. After playing his fourth game of the 2025 season, he opted to leave the team to preserve a redshirt and transfer. At UCF, under second-year head coach Scott Frost, Stone, a left-footed kicker, is projected to be the Knights' starting field goal kicker. Stone was 2-for-2 on extra points at Texas.
One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that Stone chose to transfer to UCF despite having a successful career at Texas. This suggests that he sees an opportunity to improve his skills and perhaps make a name for himself at a new school. The Knights are in need of a kicker, and Stone has the talent to fill that role. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the American Athletic Conference and whether he can help the Knights improve their special teams.
In conclusion, the departures of Texas' defensive and special teams players in 2026 have resulted in a fascinating mix of moves. From Lefau's arrival at Colorado to Barnes' battle for a starting position at Kentucky, and from Johnson's return to Maryland to Stone's transfer to UCF, each player has a unique story to tell. It will be interesting to see how they perform in their new roles and whether they can help their respective teams improve in the upcoming season.
