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Andrew Mukuba transferred to Texas this offseason after spending three years at Clemson. The defensive back claims the Longhorns‘ ability to push him to achieve greater success played a major role in that decision.
Texas made its first College Football Playoff field last season, losing to national runner-up Washington in its postseason opener. While that outcome wasn’t what was hoped for, the Longhorns are eyeing a return to the title stage this fall.
UT brings back loads of talent, led by veteran quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Horns also lured playmakers to Austin through the portal, with Mukuba being one of 11 transfers to join the roster.
The defensive back should find an immediate spot in the secondary as a senior. He’s hoping his new program can do a better job of developing his talents.
Here’s what he had to say about his move on the Behind The Facemask podcast.
“My time at Clemson, I felt like I wasn’t really getting better. I wasn’t being pushed enough to where I could reach my potential and my peak. The program wasn’t where it needed to be for me and the whole team to be successful. After my junior year, I felt like it was the same thing. After that, it was only right for me to transfer.”
-Andrew Mukuba
Mukuba shaded the Tigers and their staff in his reasoning, saying the coaches failed to make him a better player. He also didn’t believe the team to be positioned to compete for a national championship.
Clemson went 10-3 in Andrew Mukuba’s first season, with the defensive back winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors in the process. They’d win 11 more in 2022 before going 9-4 last year.
While the outputs are more than respectable, they’ve failed to land the Tigers a spot in the College Football Playoff. Mukuba is hoping to play for a title with Texas, whom he clearly sees as a greater threat.
Mukuba would go onto say there’s no animosity between him and his former school. Clemson coaches probably won’t like hearing his comments, though.