Longhorns DE Derick Roberson to transfer from Texas

The disappointing Texas Longhorns career of sophomore defensive end Derick Roberson is now over, as the oft-injured former four-star prospect will seek his transfer, with the Sam Houston State Bobcats his most likely destination, according to Inside Texas. A spokesman for the school confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon.

In a trend that has been all too common in recent years, Roberson arrived as a highly-ranked prospect in 2014 class -- the highest-ranked prospect in the class, in fact -- but will leave after two years on campus that included only only six tackles during his redshirt freshman season. Offseason shoulder surgery last year and an offseason car wreck this season kept Roberson from practicing both springs he was on campus, but the most significant blow to his Longhorns career came when he got passed on the depth chart at Fox end by freshman Charles Omenihu last season.

However, there were some flashes of the athleticism that made him so tantalizing as a prospect -- Roberson recorded a late sack and forced a fumble against Kansas State that helped secure that important home victory and added another sack against Kansas. The overall production wasn't much in terms of tackles last season, but when Roberson did make plays, they were disruptive.

Despite his talent, there are some concerns that Roberson may not be able to play again because of the severe concussion that he suffered during his offseason car wreck.

The 6'3, 238-pounder from San Antonio Brennan was the No. 64 prospect overall, the No. 4 strongside defensive end, and the No. 9 player in Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His production on the field in high school certainly backed up those rankings -- 111 tackles, 20 sacks and 39 tackles for loss, 39 pressures, four passes batted down, three recovered fumbles and one forced fumble as a senior. All told, he had 41 sacks and 105 tackles for loss during his prep years.

Omenihu's development helps to slightly reduce the blow of Roberson's loss, but the sophomore is now working on the strong side after getting up to over 260 pounds this spring, so there is now more pressure on other players to emerge at the Fox end position, including junior college transfer Quincy Vasser and 2016 signee Erick Fowler, who may have to take summer school classes before he can enroll at Texas. Another 2016 signee, Louisiana defensive end Malcolm Roach, could also play the position if he can maintain his current weight, while sophomore Breckyn Hager could also see more time at Fox end after playing a pure linebacker position last season.