A star receiver bolts Texas for arch-rival Oklahoma, igniting fury. NIL deals and a massive contract fueled this Red River betrayal.
Texas has its new Benedict Arnold.
On Tuesday, the Longhorns' nightmare became reality when former wide receiver Parker Livingstone committed to Oklahoma. Livingstone's move to Norman has been a possibility for a couple of days now, but a visit to Indiana gave fans hope that he would steer clear of their arch rivals.
But after his commitment to be a Sooner, the sorrow fans felt toward his departure will now turn into pure hatred.
Livingstone's decision to enter the Transfer Portal was a confusing one. The redshirt-freshman had a solid season, recording 516 receiving yards, third on the team, and six receiving touchdowns.
His rapport with star quarterback and roommate Arch Manning was noticeable, and it seemed like the connection would only grow with another season under their belts.
However, in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness and the Transfer Portal, no one's future is certain.
Many reports suggest that Livingstone was offered a NIL/revenue-sharing deal that he and his agent felt didn't meet their valuation. In Livingstone's goodbye message to Texas on X, he described the decision to enter the portal as something that was "out of my control."
"Never in a million years did I think I would be going into the portal looking for a new home," he said. "Such is the reality of the ever-changing landscape of college football."
His statement suggests that he was almost pushed out of the program. In reality, the truth probably lies somewhere in between, but that won't take the bitter taste out of the Longhorns' mouths.
If Livingstone's move was about money, he made the right decision. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Sooners offered him $800,000, twice the amount Texas offered him.
Livingstone's jump across the Red River is a harsh reality check to fans and coaches -- money and opportunity are the name of the game, and loyalty means a whole lot less than it did a decade ago.
Now, the only thing the Longhorns can do is try to upgrade the position.
Right now, they're stuck in a fierce battle with Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Alabama for coveted Auburn WR Cam Coleman. If they win that battle, Livingstone's transfer stings a lot less.
If they don't, questions will have to be asked about whether it was worth it to let a talented young receiver hit the streets.
There are still many unknowns surrounding Livingstone's shocking transfer, but one thing is certain... The stakes for next season's Red River Rivalry just skyrocketed.