Former Texas DB Alford transfers to USC
AUSTIN — Not long after Texas received a Christmas morning commitment from 2021 Bryan Rudder wideout Keithron Lee, the Longhorns lost a valued 2020 recruit.
True freshman safety Xavion Alford on Friday confirmed his transfer to Southern Cal a few days after entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal. The Trojans recruited Alford when he was a standout four-star defensive back at Alvin Shadow Creek, and former Texas safeties coach Craig Naivar is now serving in the same capacity at USC.
Alford was the No. 8 safety in the nation when he signed despite suffering a season-ending injury in the season opener of his senior year. As a junior Alford played in all 16 games, recording 70 tackles (58 solo), six interceptions, one return touchdown and 21 passes defended.
Alford appeared in four games this season, logging time against UTEP, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Kansas State. He recorded four total tackles in those rare appearances.
And Alford isn't the only defensive back No. 20 Texas (6-3, 5-3 Big 12) has lost this season. Senior safety Chris Brown and junior safety Caden Sterns opted out of the Alamo Bowl and declared for the 2021 NFL draft.
The Longhorns did sign a few players this cycle to help restock that group. Four-star Kennedale safety JD Coffey and four star John Muir (Calif.) cornerback Jamier Johnson could help to offset the sting of those losses, though it's also likely Texas will
continue scouring for defensive backs ahead of national signing day on Feb. 3.
Lee committed to signing with Texas on that date by releasing a one-minute video to announce his decision. Lee is a three-star recruit who is ranked No. 76 in the state and No. 86 among
wideouts, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
The 5-10 wideout is coming off a superlative senior season in which he recorded 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns on 65 receptions. Lee also ran for 554 yards and nine scores. TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech and a host of
other programs were also in the mix for Lee, who held more than two dozen scholarship offers.
The addition of Lee should help a Texas offense that lost junior Brennan Eagles as an early entrant to the 2021 NFL draft. Eagles led Texas this season in receptions (28), receiving yards (469) and finished second with seen receiving scores. No other Longhorn exceeded 25 receptions or 400 yards.
Backup back helps Buffalo top Marshall
Kevin Marks scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:09 left and Buffalo made a final defensive stop to beat Marshall 17-10 in the Camellia Bowl at Montgomery, Ala.
Subbing for the national leader in rushing yards per game, Jaret Patterson, Marks carried 35 time for 138 yards for the Bulls (6-1) against one of the nation's top run defenses.
Grant Wells took Marshall (7-3), which rallied from a 10-0 deficit, to the Buffalo 20 with no timeouts. Kadofi Wright's sack helped force a fourth-and-11 and Eric Black added his second sack to end the threat.
Buffalo improved to 2-3 in bowls, also beating Charlotte in the 2019 Bahamas Bowl.
The matchup between the nation's top rushing team and the No. 2 run defense lost some of its luster even before kickoff.
Patterson, who had 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns in six games, didn't dress out after sustaining a right knee injury in the Mid-American Conference championship game.
Marks had 23 carries for 117 yards by halftime, though he was mostly shut down in the second half by a defense giving up just 88.9 rushing yards a game coming in.