Texas Talent Exodus Continues as Brooks Enters Portal
The Texas Longhorns' offensive line woes deepened Tuesday as true freshman tackle Nick Brooks announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal, marking another significant departure from a program still reeling from an inconsistent 2025 campaign. The 6'7", 349-pound Brooks, who was ranked as the No. 25 offensive tackle nationally in the 2025 class, struggled mightily when thrust into action at left guard during conference play.
Brooks' departure represents more than just a roster move—it's a damning indictment of position coach Kyle Flood's player development and off-field management. After drawing praise during spring practice, Brooks' season derailed following a summer DWI arrest where he allegedly told police he was taking recruits to a strip club. When injuries forced Texas to play Brooks out of position at guard, he surrendered three sacks against Kentucky and was benched after 30 snaps against Mississippi State. With three years of eligibility remaining, Brooks becomes another blue-chip talent that Flood failed to retain, continuing a troubling pattern for the Longhorns' offensive line recruiting.
The timing couldn't be worse for Texas, as they face the reality of losing multiple linemen to graduation and the NFL draft. Brooks was projected as a potential starter at tackle once Trevor Goosby declares for the 2027 NFL Draft, making his exit a significant blow to the program's depth chart and recruiting momentum.
Quick Hits
• Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens earns preseason honors: The two-time consensus All-American was named to Softball America's Preseason All-America First Team, solidifying her status as one of the nation's premier players heading into the 2026 season.
• Alabama's Jessica Timmons takes SEC honors: The Charlotte native earned SEC Co-Player of the Week recognition for her stellar play in women's basketball, marking her first conference accolade since transferring to Tuscaloosa.
• Ohio State loses NFL-bound tight end: Max Klare declared early for the NFL draft after catching 43 passes for 448 yards this season, leaving the Buckeyes thin at the position heading into 2026.
• College Football Playoff expansion stalled: The Big Ten and SEC remain deadlocked over CFP expansion, with the Big Ten floating a temporary 16-team field as negotiations continue ahead of the national championship game.
• Notre Dame's Freeman staying put: Despite NFL interest, Marcus Freeman is expected to remain at Notre Dame for 2026, providing stability for the Fighting Irish program.
Portal Watch
The transfer portal continues churning with significant SEC implications. Kentucky made a local splash by landing Louisville transfer Brock Coffman, a Lexington native who posted impressive prep numbers (89 catches, 1,387 yards, 24 TDs) at Sayre School. The 6'0", 180-pound receiver adds depth to Will Stein's receiver room as the Wildcats rebuild their offensive weapons.
However, Kentucky suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Texas receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., who committed to Colorado over the Wildcats. Moore's 77 receptions for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Texas would have been a massive addition to Kentucky's passing attack. The loss reportedly came down to Colorado's superior financial package—a harsh reality in today's NIL landscape.
Other notable portal activity includes LSU landing Raycine Guillory, Texas securing Derek Williams Jr., and Auburn adding Chas Nimrod. With the portal window closing January 16th, expect a flurry of last-minute moves as programs scramble to fill remaining needs.
Games to Watch
Tonight's marquee SEC matchup features Tennessee hosting Texas A&M at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network. The Volunteers (13-3) look to bounce back from a crushing road loss to Florida where they were out-rebounded by 11 and committed 18 turnovers. Tennessee's Nate Ament provided a bright spot with 17 points, but the team needs a complete effort against an A&M squad that's surprised with a 3-0 SEC start.
First-year coach Bucky McMillan has the Aggies playing aggressive, pressing defense that's disrupted opponents early in conference play. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes acknowledges the challenge: "They press, and they'll jump up and press you, even on a missed shot. That's his style of basketball." The Volunteers open as 10.5-point home favorites, but A&M's early success suggests this spread might be generous.
The Aggies have already notched quality wins over LSU, Oklahoma, and Auburn, proving they're more than capable of competing in their first SEC season under McMillan's system.