Texas is idle in Week 0, but Tre Wisner, Jordan Washington, Daniel Cruz and Ja’Mond Tapp could debut with new programs Saturday.
Texas football won’t open its 2026 season until next week, but Longhorns fans still have four reasons to keep the remote nearby Saturday.
Tre Wisner, Jordan Washington, Daniel Cruz and Ja’Mond Tapp are scheduled to begin new chapters during Week 0 after taking wildly different routes out of Austin.
From Dublin to Las Vegas, each former Longhorn enters the weekend with something to prove.
Jordan Washington, North Carolina tight end
North Carolina vs. TCU - 11 a.m. CT, ESPN
Washington landed in Chapel Hill as part of a rebuilt tight-end room under Bill Belichick.
He’s competing with Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman and Colorado State transfer Jaxxon Warren for snaps in Bobby Petrino’s new offense.
Washington currently appears to be behind Thurman in the rotation, and his availability requires monitoring.
A third-party injury report lists Washington out with an undisclosed issue, although North Carolina hasn’t publicly confirmed his final game status.
If active, his first opportunity would come against TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Daniel Cruz, NC State offensive lineman
NC State at Virginia - 2:30 p.m. CT
Cruz traded burnt orange for Wolfpack red after becoming part of Texas’ substantial offensive-line turnover.
The third-year lineman projects as a reserve, but his ability to work at center or either guard position gives NC State valuable flexibility. That versatility could get him onto the field quickly if the Wolfpack suffers an injury or struggles with its starting combination against Virginia.
Tre Wisner, Florida State running back
Florida State vs. New Mexico State - 6 p.m. CT
Wisner will draw the most attention from Texas fans.
A popular figure during his Longhorns career, he joins a Florida State backfield that also features Ousmane Kromah. The Seminoles should have opportunities to use both backs against New Mexico State, giving Wisner an immediate chance to establish his role in Mike Norvell’s offense.
Unlike some transfer departures, Wisner isn’t likely to receive a hostile reaction from Longhorn Nation. Plenty of Texas fans will be rooting for him from a distance.
Ja’Mond Tapp, Memphis defensive lineman
Memphis at UNLV - 9 p.m. CT
Tapp’s winding journey has taken him from Texas to Arizona State, Southern Miss and now Memphis.
He appeared in only six games over two seasons with the Longhorns, but his career gained traction at Southern Miss. Tapp recorded 7.5 sacks last season, then followed coach Charles Huff to Memphis.
He now has an opportunity to become one of the most disruptive defensive linemen outside the Power Four. A strong performance against UNLV would provide an immediate introduction to his new audience.
Texas may be idle Saturday, but several familiar names won’t be. Week 0 offers Longhorn fans a chance to see which former players are ready to thrive somewhere new.
