Texas DE Marqez Bimage enters the NCAA transfer portal

Texas Longhorns defensive end Marqez Bimage entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday, according to reports.

With the loss of Jack linebacker Joseph Ossai to the 2021 NFL Draft as an early entrant and Bimage’s entrance into the transfer portal, Texas is thin at the pass-rusher position, although new head coach Steve Sarkisian has officially added LSU graduate transfer Ray Thornton there and holds a commitment from Notre Dame grad transfer Ovie Oghoufo.

Bimage opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and was initially expected to return to the team.

A 6’2, 251-pounder and one-time Houston commit who followed Tom Herman to Austin in 2017, Bimage spent the 2020 offseason dropping weight to make the transition from playing heads up against offensive tackles to getting the opportunity to more frequently play on the edge. Ultimately, the Brenham product lost 20 pounds in an effort to capitalize on the flashes that he showed late in 2019 when he was able to use his speed and explosiveness against Texas Tech to force a strip-sack and add another quarterback hurry.

Bimage, who can squat 700 pounds, was a potential breakout player following the departure of Malcolm Roach, which opened up the opportunity for Bimage to seriously compete for a starting job for the first time in his career.

But with Bimage’s opt out and entrance into the transfer portal, it appears that the Longhorns won’t have a chance to benefit from finally using Bimage on the edge.

At Texas, Bimage has appeared in 34 career games with 19 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one fumble recovery, with most of that production coming during the 2019 season.

He’s one of four players who opted out during the 2020 season, joining running back Daniel Young, wide receiver Dajon Harrison, and offensive lineman Willie Tyler. Like Bimage, Tyler is also in the transfer portal.