Dynamic Louisville running back Isaac Brown spurns Texas, opting for continuity. The Longhorns' search for offensive firepower continues after missing on a top target.
One of the Texas Longhorns' most anticipated transfer portal pursuits has officially come up empty.
Louisville running back Isaac Brown, long rumored to be Austin-bound, has decided to remain with the Cardinals and return for another season in the ACC, shutting the door on what many believed was a near-lock addition for Texas.
For weeks, Brown's name hovered near the top of the Longhorns' portal wish list.
Multiple national outlets linked him to Texas, including predictions logged at 247Sports, and there was growing buzz that Brown had either visited - or was set to visit - the Forty Acres.
Instead, the dynamic back chose continuity over change, opting to stay in Kentucky and anchor Louisville's offense in 2026.
From a football standpoint, the decision stings for Texas.
Brown is not just a solid back; he's one of the most efficient runners in the country. Despite playing only eight games last season, Brown rushed for 782 yards and five touchdowns, earning All-ACC Third Team honors.
His 8.8 yards per carry led the conference and placed him among the national leaders before an injury prematurely ended his season.
Had he entered the portal, Brown would've been one of the most coveted offensive players available. His blend of vision, burst, and home-run speed made him an ideal fit for a Texas offense that struggled mightily on the ground.
Simply put, the Longhorns' rushing attack in 2025 was the program's least effective since the 1940s - a staggering statistic for a brand built on physicality and balance.
Brown checked every box Texas was looking for. He had proven Power Five production, explosive efficiency, and just enough wear on the tires to project immediate impact without long-term concern.
In a portal cycle where elite running backs are scarce, Brown stood out as a potential tone-setter and someone who could stabilize an offense and take pressure off the passing game from Day 1.
Instead, Texas is left recalibrating. Brown's decision underscores the reality of the modern portal era: predictions aren't commitments, visits aren't guarantees, and leverage cuts both ways.
For Louisville, retaining Brown is a massive win. For Texas, it's a reminder that fixing a broken run game won't come easily.
The Longhorns will move on - portal boards always do - but there's no spinning this one. Isaac Brown staying at Louisville hurts, and it leaves Texas still searching for answers in a backfield that desperately needs them.