Texas TE Blake Whiteley announces intent to pursue a graduate transfer

Texas Longhorns tight end Blake Whiteley will rather unexpectedly continue his football career at another program after announcing his intentions to pursue a graduate transfer on Tuesday via Twitter:

If Whiteley applies to regain a season of eligibility, he would have two seasons remaining to play college football.

He suffered an ACL injury in 2015 during preseason and was not able to return for the 2016 season, leading to reports that he was placed on a medical scholarship and would not be able to continue his football career.

However, Whiteley’s name remained on the roster as the 6’5, 248-pounder continued his rehabilitation efforts in hopes of having another opportunity.

A native of Vancouver, Whiteley was the No. 24 junior college prospect in the country and the top-rated player at his position out of Arizona Western College in the 2014 class, according to 247Sports.

Whiteley redshirted his first season and never played a snap for Texas. And so while there were questions about how he would transition to high-level college football after playing in Canada, he was the highest-rated tight end to sign with the Longhorns in years.

Now the ‘Horns will move forward with two scholarship tight ends currently on the roster, Andrew Beck and Peyton Aucoin, and the two commits in the 2017 class, Reese Leitao and Cade Brewer.

Best of luck to Whiteley at his next stop.