Sophomore center Jake Raulerson announced on Thursday that he plans to transfer from the University of Texas.
A graduate transfer, Raulerson will earn his degree following the spring semester, allowing him to transfer to a school of his choice without having to sit out a year. Charlie Strong granted Raulerson his full release this week and the paperwork was finalized on Thursday.
A third-year offensive lineman, the 6-4, 295-pound Raulerson redshirted in 2013 before seeing action in 12 games in 2014, including five starts. In 2015, he served as the primary back-up at center behind senior Taylor Doyle.
The loss of Raulerson will leave the Texas line with a hole to fill when it takes the field in the spring. The Celina product was expected to slide into the starter's role at the center position in place of Doyle, but the Longhorns will now have to look for other options.
Redshirt freshman Terrell Cuney is the only other true center on the roster, although played in only one game this year (Kansas). The coaches could also decide to try starting guard Patrick Vahe at the center spot.
A four-star prospect in the 2013 recruiting class and one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, Raulerson was an Army All-American and Rivals250 member. He chose the Longhorns over a lengthy list of scholarship offers from virtually every Division I program in America. A versatile athlete who could play on either the offensive or defensive lines, Raulerson settled in as an offensive lineman once he enrolled at Texas. He played primarily at center for Texas, but did also earn some playing time at right tackle in 2014, including one start at that position.
A four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Raulerson was an Academic All-Big 12 choice in 2014.
A graduate transfer, Raulerson will earn his degree following the spring semester, allowing him to transfer to a school of his choice without having to sit out a year. Charlie Strong granted Raulerson his full release this week and the paperwork was finalized on Thursday.
A third-year offensive lineman, the 6-4, 295-pound Raulerson redshirted in 2013 before seeing action in 12 games in 2014, including five starts. In 2015, he served as the primary back-up at center behind senior Taylor Doyle.
The loss of Raulerson will leave the Texas line with a hole to fill when it takes the field in the spring. The Celina product was expected to slide into the starter's role at the center position in place of Doyle, but the Longhorns will now have to look for other options.
Redshirt freshman Terrell Cuney is the only other true center on the roster, although played in only one game this year (Kansas). The coaches could also decide to try starting guard Patrick Vahe at the center spot.
A four-star prospect in the 2013 recruiting class and one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, Raulerson was an Army All-American and Rivals250 member. He chose the Longhorns over a lengthy list of scholarship offers from virtually every Division I program in America. A versatile athlete who could play on either the offensive or defensive lines, Raulerson settled in as an offensive lineman once he enrolled at Texas. He played primarily at center for Texas, but did also earn some playing time at right tackle in 2014, including one start at that position.
A four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Raulerson was an Academic All-Big 12 choice in 2014.
