The Texas Longhorns are heading into a pivotal offseason with two key players officially on their way out - and their departures leave both questions and opportunities on the table.
On Monday, the program took a pair of hits on each side of the ball. Junior linebacker Liona Lefau has entered the transfer portal, while junior wide receiver DeAndre Moore is expected to declare for the NFL Draft.
Both were starters. Both were impact players.
And both leave behind significant shoes to fill.
Let’s start with Lefau. His exit is the kind that makes you pause - not because it was impossible to see coming, but because of what he meant to the defense.
Lefau spent three seasons in Austin, steadily climbing the depth chart to earn a starting role. This year, he racked up 69 tackles, tying with fellow linebacker Anthony Hill for third most on the team.
That’s not just production - that’s presence.
By all accounts, Lefau was in line to retain his starting job next season. So why leave now?
According to reports, it may come down to scheme fit. Lefau is said to prefer playing in a more downhill, attacking role - something he may not have felt he was getting in Texas’ defensive system.
That opens the door for younger linebackers to make a statement, starting with the upcoming Citrus Bowl. Texas has talent waiting in the wings, but replacing Lefau’s experience and instincts won’t be easy. He wasn’t just a body on the field - he was a tone-setter.
Then there’s Moore, whose decision to head to the draft is far less surprising, even if it still stings. While he never quite became the breakout star some envisioned, Moore was one of the Longhorns’ most consistent and dependable receivers over the past two seasons.
This year, he posted 532 receiving yards and four touchdowns - steady numbers that reflect his role as a trusted target, especially in pressure moments. His performance in last year’s SEC Championship against Georgia stands out: nine catches, 114 yards, and a touchdown in a game that showcased what he could do when it mattered most. And let’s not forget his key touchdown in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal win over Arizona State - a moment that helped punch Texas’ ticket forward.
Moore’s value wasn’t just in the stat sheet. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has repeatedly praised his leadership and poise, calling him a steadying force in the locker room and a confidence booster for his teammates. That kind of veteran presence doesn’t grow on trees.
With Moore gone, the Longhorns will look to a young, talented group of receivers to step up. There’s no shortage of potential in that room, but experience is a different beast - and Moore had it in spades. Don’t be surprised if Sarkisian dips into the transfer portal himself to bring in another seasoned option for quarterback Arch Manning.
So what does this all mean for Texas? In the short term, it’s about adjusting - finding out who’s ready to fill the void, who’s ready to lead, and who’s ready to rise.
In the long term, it’s another reminder that roster turnover is the new normal in college football. The best programs don’t just survive it - they thrive through it.
Texas has the talent. Now it’s about making the pieces fit.