From Chapel Hill to Austin, the journey of defensive tackle Travis Shaw has taken an exciting turn. The former North Carolina Tar Heel made headlines on Sunday evening by committing to the Texas Longhorns after a weekend visit to the Forty Acres. At 6’5.5″ and 330 pounds, Shaw is a formidable presence on the defensive line, and the Longhorns are eager to see what he can bring in his final season of college eligibility.
Shaw entered the transfer portal following the departure of Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown in late November. His arrival in Chapel Hill in 2022 was a significant victory for Brown’s staff, as Shaw was a consensus five-star prospect ranked as the No. 20 player nationally and the No. 6 defensive lineman according to 247Sports Composite rankings. During his initial recruitment, Shaw attracted nearly 30 offers and even took an official visit to Georgia.
Over his three seasons at North Carolina, Shaw has shown glimpses of his raw talent, though consistency has eluded him. As a freshman, Shaw displayed his potential with 18 tackles, half a tackle for loss, and two broken-up passes in 13 games. The following year, he recorded 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and another pass broken up. His junior year marked a notable leap in performance, where he tallied 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a pass break-up. According to Pro Football Focus, Shaw earned a commendable 68.1 overall grade, a significant improvement of over 16 points from his 2023 rating.
Shaw fits the mold of defensive tackles who’ve experienced late-career surges at Texas—a group that includes players like Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. In today’s landscape, finding proven interior defensive linemen via the transfer portal comes with a hefty cost, making the acquisition of a top prospect like Shaw, who still possesses untapped potential, an excellent strategic move for the Longhorns.
The Longhorns have already welcomed former Purdue defensive tackle Cole Brevard, who has been practicing in Atlanta with the team as they prepare for the Peach Bowl. However, the team likely isn’t finished reinforcing their defensive line. With four defensive tackle entries into the transfer portal and another four exhausting their eligibility, the Longhorns are left with freshmen Alex January and Melvin Hills as the primary returnees on the defensive front. The addition of Shaw could be the catalyst the Longhorns need to solidify their defensive line as they look toward the upcoming season.
