Rising redshirt sophomore Darius James — the No. 1 offensive guard in a composite ranking of the recruiting class of 2013 — will transfer from Texas, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
He is the fifth offensive lineman to leave the Longhorns since Charlie Strong was hired as head coach in January 2014, Horns247.com reported, joining Rami Hammad (transfer to Baylor), Kennedy Estelle (dismissed last fall), Desmond Harrison (withdrew from school after the fall semester) and Curtis Riser (transfer to Sam Houston State).
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James has been given an unconditional release and is free to transfer to any other NCAA school, even those in the Big 12. Citing an unidentified source close to James, Horns247.com also reported that he "has put out feelers to multiple Power Five schools who've shown interest."
James redshirted in 2013 and played in six games in 2014, starting two, before a knee injury in November ended his season.
A 6-5, 304-pounder from Harker Heights, Texas, he came into the program as part of a highly touted group of offensive line recruits that also included Hammad, Harrison, Kent Perkins and Jake Raulerson and was expected to be the foundation of that position group in coming years. Now, only Perkins and Raulerson remain entering the 2015 season.