Texas LB Room in Flux as Liona Lefau Enters Transfer Portal
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Longhorns’ linebacker room is heading for a major reset in 2026. Junior linebacker Liona Lefau has officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, adding another layer of change to a position group already bracing for transition.
Lefau’s decision comes on the heels of what many expected: standout linebacker Anthony Hill declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. With Hill moving on to the pros, the assumption was that Lefau would step into a leadership role next season, anchoring a young but talented group. Instead, Texas will now have to reimagine its linebacker core without either of its 2025 starters.
Lefau has been a steady presence for the Longhorns over the past two seasons, quietly developing into a reliable SEC-caliber linebacker. At 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, he brought a mix of physicality and instincts that allowed him to thrive next to Hill in the heart of Texas’ defense. Over 28 games, Lefau totaled 135 tackles, including eight for loss, and added three sacks - a stat line that speaks to both his consistency and his ability to make plays in space.
With Lefau on the move and Hill NFL-bound, the Longhorns are now looking at a linebacker group that will be young, but certainly not lacking in upside. Rising sophomore Ty’Anthony Smith showed flashes of promise in limited action and is expected to take on a larger role. True freshman Elijah “Bo” Barnes will also be in the mix, and the coaching staff is excited about what incoming five-star recruit Tyler Atkinson could bring to the table right away.
Still, replacing two experienced, productive starters is no small task - especially in the SEC, where linebacker play can often be the difference between a good defense and a great one. Lefau’s departure doesn’t just leave a hole in the depth chart; it removes a player who had grown into a trusted on-field presence and a bridge between the veterans and the next wave of talent.
Texas has recruited well at the position, and the raw tools are there. But development, chemistry, and leadership will be key themes heading into spring ball and beyond. The linebacker room is officially in rebuild mode - and how quickly that rebuild takes shape could go a long way in determining the identity of the Longhorns’ defense in 2026.