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On Wednesday, Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Isaiah Zuber entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal with the intentions of becoming a graduate transfer. On Thursday, a report connected Zuber to the Texas Longhorns:
I'm told to keep an eye on Texas as a potential landing spot for Isaiah Zuber. Keep in mind that Andre Coleman is now an analyst there. Mutual interest on both sides from the sounds of things. Doubt it'll be just a one team selection pool though.
— Ryan Wallace (@GPCwallace) May 23, 2019
cc: @ChipBrown247 @TaylorEstes247
So far, Andre Coleman is the only member of the Texas staff following Zuber on Twitter, but the 6’0, 186-pounder is an intriguing option with several scholarships still available for the fall.
A native of Georgia, Zuber redshirted in 2015, then played in every game as a redshirt freshman, hauling in 24 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns. After moving into the starting lineup over the last two seasons, Zuber led the team in receptions, while leading the team in receiving yards (619) and touchdowns (six) last season. In fact, Zuber caught six of the 11 touchdown passes thrown by the Wildcats quarterbacks in 2018.
Zuber also broke out as an explosive, if inconsistent special teams contributor last season — he fumbled the ball twice on punt returns, but also had an 85-yard touchdown return and averaged 17.8 yards per return to lead the Big 12. He also returned kickoffs for Kansas State.
With the departure of Lil’Jordan Humphrey to the NFL, Texas lacks a proven slot receiver, and Zuber has the quick-twitch skills and route-running ability to do damage inside and the versatility to serve as a home-run threat outside — one catch last season went for 72 yards, longer than any play from scrimmage for the Horns last season.
During the spring, sophomore Joshua Moore took first-team reps in the slot, but head coach Tom Herman publicly noted Moore’s need to gain strength to survive a full season. The only other options are equally unproven, as redshirt sophomore Jordan Pouncey struggled catching passes during the Orange-White game and incoming freshman speedster Jake Smith isn’t yet on campus.
If there’s one concern, is that’s Zuber underwent hip surgery during the offseason and missed spring practice. However, he was off of crutches by early March and should be available for the start of preseason camp wherever he lands.
And there’s already buzz that it might be in Austin with his former offensive coordinator.