Fri Jan 02 00:10:00 UTC 2026: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Longhorns Receiver DeAndre Moore Jr.’s Departure a Surprise as Texas Prepares for Citrus Bowl

ORLANDO, FL – Just hours before the highly anticipated Cheez-It Citrus Bowl clash between the Texas Longhorns and the Michigan Wolverines, the spotlight shifts to roster adjustments as key players opt out for the NFL Draft or the transfer portal.

One such player, wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., has surprisingly decided to depart from the Longhorns. The news of his departure seemingly caught even his own teammates off guard.

“I thought he was going to go to the NFL,” Parker Livingstone, a fellow Longhorns receiver, told reporters during a pre-game media availability. “But he’s a great player, a great leader. Hurts to have someone like that not in our room, but it just creates opportunities for us young guys to step up and take control of the room.”

Livingstone’s comments suggest that Moore’s decision was made quietly and rapidly, even within the Longhorns’ locker room. Moore will have time to decide what college to transfer to during the transfer portal open period from January 2nd – January 16th.

With Moore’s absence, the Citrus Bowl game presents an opportunity for younger receivers like Livingstone, Ryan Wingo, and Emmett Mosley V to step into more prominent roles. Players like Daylan McCutcheon and Kaliq Lockett may also see increased playing time.

While the loss of Moore is undeniable, the Longhorns receiving corps remains a talented group eager to prove their potential. This Citrus Bowl will be a crucial test of their ability to adapt and overcome this unexpected change.

The Longhorns face the Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl tomorrow, with kickoff set for [Insert Time Here].

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