Texas OT Denzel Okafor reportedly enters transfer portal

Despite entering his final season on the Forty Acres as a prime candidate to emerge as a starter along the offensive line, redshirt senior Denzel Okafor has elected to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate transfer, according to multiple reports.

Throughout his four seasons in Austin, Okafor made 39 career appearances, including five starts. Most recently, the former four-star talent appeared in each of Texas’ 13 games last season, though aside from his lone start against Iowa State, most of that action occurred on special teams.

However, it seemed likely that fortunes would shift in his favor in 2020. With starting right tackle Derek Kerstetter expected to slide to center to replace Zach Shackelford, Okafor is far and away the most experienced option to fill Kerstetter’s place on the outside. But now, offensive line coach Herb Hand may be tasked with finding another replacement for at right tackle even before that starting role was solidified.

If Okafor does, indeed, remain in the transfer portal and ultimately leaves Austin for another opportunity, he’ll become the second Longhorns offensive lineman to transfer in the recent months, alongside J.P Urquidez.