Texas Lands a Shark: Why Rasheem Biles is the Crown Jewel of the Longhorns’ Portal Class
The transfer portal just delivered another seismic shift in college football. When Rasheem Biles: the No. 1 linebacker in the transfer portal: announced his commitment to Texas in early January 2026, the Longhorns didn't just add depth. They landed a game-changer.
For young athletes grinding through camps and 7v7 circuits, this move is a masterclass in positioning, production, and seizing opportunity. Biles didn't wait for the game to come to him. He went out and took it.
Want to train like a future All-Conference player? Check out our elite recruiting programs and skill development camps that teach the same aggressive mindset that makes players like Biles unstoppable.
The Resume: Production That Speaks Volumes
Rasheem Biles didn't just have a good season at Pittsburgh: he had an All-ACC caliber campaign that put him on every Power Five program's radar. The numbers tell the story:
- 101 tackles (led the team)
- 17 tackles for loss (topped the ACC)
- 4.5 sacks (from the linebacker position)
- 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns (most defensive TDs in the conference)
- Second-Team All-ACC honors
This isn't a player who occasionally flashes. Biles is a heat-seeking missile who creates havoc play after play. He processes fast, hits violently, and has the instincts to turn defense into offense. Those two pick-sixes? That's elite ball skills and situational awareness: traits that separate good linebackers from elite ones.
For young defenders watching this unfold, here's the lesson: Production is your resume. Coaches at every level are looking for players who consistently make plays. Tackles for loss. Forced fumbles. Pass breakups. If you want to play at the next level, you need to show up in the stat sheet week after week.
Texas Had a Problem. Biles Is the Solution.
The Longhorns entered the 2026 offseason with a glaring hole at linebacker. Anthony Hill Jr., their undisputed defensive leader, declared for the NFL Draft after a dominant season. Then, veteran linebacker Liona Lefau hit the portal and transferred to Colorado. Elijah Barnes also departed, leaving Texas dangerously thin at the second level.
In today's SEC, you can't compete with a patchwork linebacker corps. Not when you're facing explosive offenses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU every week. Texas needed an immediate starter: someone who could walk in Day 1 and anchor the defense.
Enter Rasheem Biles.
He's not a developmental piece. He's not "potential." He's a plug-and-play starter who will immediately slot into the WILL or MIKE linebacker role. The Longhorns got exactly what they needed: a proven, battle-tested playmaker who can handle the physicality and speed of the SEC.
This is critical for young athletes to understand: Opportunity meets preparation. Biles built his value at Pitt, put elite production on tape, and when Texas came calling with a starting role, he was ready. If you want to position yourself for opportunities like this, you need to be dominating your competition right now: whether that's in middle school, high school, or 7v7 tournaments.
A Perfect Scheme Fit for Will Muschamp's Defense
Texas hired Will Muschamp as their new Defensive Coordinator, replacing Pete Kwiatkowski. If you know Muschamp's history: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina: you know what's coming: aggressive, sideline-to-sideline, attacking football.
Muschamp's defenses thrive on linebackers who can do everything. Run fits. Blitzes. Coverage. Edge rushes. He needs athletes who think fast, hit hard, and create chaos in the backfield.
Rasheem Biles checks every box.
He's violent at the point of attack. He processes pre-snap reads quickly. He can drop into coverage and shadow tight ends or running backs. He can line up on the edge and generate pressure. This versatility is what makes elite linebackers invaluable in modern college football.
For young players, this is the blueprint: Be versatile. Don't pigeonhole yourself into one role. If you're a linebacker, learn to cover. If you're a safety, learn to blitz. The more you can do at an elite level, the more valuable you become.
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we emphasize position versatility in every training session. Why? Because college coaches aren't just recruiting specialists: they're recruiting playmakers who can adapt to any scheme.
Pitt's "Sharks" Are No More
While Texas celebrates, Pittsburgh is reeling.
The Panthers' linebacker corps: nicknamed "The Sharks" for their aggressive, attacking style: has been completely dismantled. First, Kyle Louis declared for the NFL Draft. Now, Rasheem Biles is heading to Austin. Together, those two players accounted for the vast majority of Pitt's second-level production.
Replacing that kind of impact is nearly impossible.
Biles wasn't just a stat-stuffer. He was a leader. A tone-setter. A player who erased mistakes and bailed out the secondary when coverage broke down. His ability to create turnovers and generate havoc plays was a safety net for the entire defense.
Adding to the chaos? Linebackers Coach Ryan Manalac left for UConn. So Pitt loses both on-field and sideline continuity. They've turned to the transfer portal for reinforcements: adding Alex Sanford Jr. from Purdue and DeMarco Ward from Memphis: but the drop-off is expected to be significant.
For Pitt, this is a full rebuild. For Texas, it's a massive upgrade.
The Recruiting Battle: Texas Wins Big
Rasheem Biles wasn't hurting for options. Programs like Colorado, Miami, Ohio State, and Michigan were all in the mix. These are blue-blood programs with championship pedigrees and NFL pipelines.
So why did Biles choose Texas?
Immediate playing time. A starting role in the SEC. A defensive coordinator with a track record of developing linebackers for the NFL. And a program that's positioned to compete for championships.
This wasn't a lateral move. This was a strategic decision to maximize his draft stock and compete at the highest level.
For young athletes, this is a crucial lesson about choosing the right fit. It's not always about the biggest name or the flashiest offer. It's about finding a program that values your skill set, offers real opportunity, and positions you for long-term success.
What Young Players Can Learn From This Move
Rasheem Biles' journey offers several lessons for athletes at every level:
1. Production is everything. Biles earned his ranking through elite on-field performance. Seventeen tackles for loss and two pick-sixes don't happen by accident. You need to dominate your competition week after week.
2. Versatility increases value. Biles can rush, cover, and play the run at an elite level. The more you can do, the more teams want you.
3. Opportunity meets preparation. When Texas came calling, Biles was ready. He had the tape, the resume, and the mentality to step into a starting role immediately.
4. Fit matters. Biles chose Texas because it was the right scheme, the right opportunity, and the right platform to showcase his skills.
Whether you're training for your first 7v7 tournament or preparing for college recruitment, these principles apply. Elite players aren't born: they're built through consistent effort, smart decisions, and relentless preparation.
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we're committed to developing players who think and compete like Rasheem Biles. Our recruiting programs focus on film study, position technique, and the mental side of the game that separates good players from great ones.
The Bigger Picture: SEC Arms Race Continues
Texas adding Rasheem Biles is another example of how the transfer portal has changed college football. Programs aren't rebuilding anymore: they're reloading. The Longhorns identified a critical need, went into the portal, and landed the best available player at the position.
This is the new reality. Elite programs use the portal like NFL teams use free agency. They plug holes, add veteran leadership, and position themselves to compete immediately.
For SEC defenses, that means facing guys like Biles: proven, experienced, elite-level playmakers who can take over games. The competition is only getting fiercer.
Final Thought: Build Your Resume Now
Rasheem Biles didn't become the No. 1 linebacker in the transfer portal overnight. He earned it through years of preparation, elite production, and a relentless competitive mindset.
If you're a young linebacker: or any defensive player: watching this story unfold, ask yourself: Am I building the resume that will get me noticed?
Are you dominating your competition? Are you versatile? Are you making the plays that show up on film?
The path to the next level starts now. Not next season. Not next year. Now.
Want to train with the same competitive edge that makes players like Rasheem Biles unstoppable? Join us at Boardwalk Beasts Football Club. We offer elite skill development camps, recruiting exposure programs, and year-round training designed to prepare athletes for the highest levels of competition.
The grind starts today. Let's get to work. 🏈💪
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