Earlier in the week Benjamin noted that a pair of Texas Longhorns -- wide receiver Darius White and defensive tackle Taylor Bible -- would not be with the football program in 2012 after deciding to transfer.
As it turns out, White and Bible will have additional transfer company as head coach Mack Brown announced Thursday that defensive end Dravannti Johnson has decided to leave as well.
The reason for Johnson’s move is to seek an opportunity for more playing time. And, as he has already graduated from UT, he will be permitted to play in 2012 as long as he’s in a graduate program not offered at his soon-to-be-former school.
Johnson, a four-star member of UT’s 2008 recruiting class, played in the first six games this season, registering one tackle for loss. He did not see the field in the second half of the season.
Additionally, Brown announced that tight end Blaine Irby has decided not to seek a sixth season of eligibility from the NCAA. Irby had missed most the previous three seasons due to significant knee injuries, and has decided to make his final football game UT’s Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl matchup with Cal instead of seeking a waiver.
This season, Irby caught 10 passes, two of which went for touchdowns.
“It definitely made the decision a little more difficult,” Irby said of how he played late this season. “But it’s time to move on. My body has been through a lot while I’ve been at UT. I’m just glad I was able to come back from that injury and play with my best friends and run out of that tunnel again and score a touchdown in DKR. That was a really cool deal.”