Rasheem Biles arrives in Austin after three seasons at Pitt and has signaled the Week 2 Texas vs Ohio State rematch matters to him. The Pickerington, Ohio native joins a Longhorn defense that will face his home-state program early in the season.
As reported by FOX Sports, Biles confirmed his transfer from Pitt and said he wasn’t trying to remain in Columbus, adding that he’s excited to face Ohio State in Austin.
Key Takeaways
- Rasheem Biles transferred to Texas after three seasons at Pitt and is a Pickerington, Ohio native.
- Biles totaled 101 combined tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks across 10 games last season.
- Texas allowed opponents 20.3 points per game, 338.8 total yards per game, and 103.9 rushing yards per game last season.
- His comments about Ohio State and his local ties add an extra storyline heading into the Week 2 rematch.
How Rasheem Biles fits the Texas linebacker room
Biles arrives with clear production at the position and projects to add experienced depth to the linebacker corps. His 101-tackle season and 17.0 tackles-for-loss total indicate a player who regularly finishes plays near the line of scrimmage.
The reporting notes turnover plays and interception returns among his highlights, which gives a situational playmaker the staff can deploy in short-field scenarios. Head-counting snap projections and exact scheme usage were not detailed in the reporting, so his role will depend on coaching decisions during fall camp.
Rasheem Biles production versus Texas defensive profile
| Metric | Notable figure or context |
|---|---|
| 2025 season production | 101 combined tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks across 10 games, plus two interception returns for touchdowns and multiple forced fumbles |
| Two-year average (2024–25) | Average of 91.5 combined tackles and 15.8 tackles for loss per season, reflecting steady production |
| Texas defensive profile (2025) | Opponents averaged 234.9 passing yards per game, 338.8 total yards, 20.3 points, and 103.9 rushing yards against Texas |
What Biles’ skill set changes on game day
On gameday, Biles provides volume tackling and an ability to generate tackles for loss that can disrupt inside runs and short-yardage gains. His turnover production offers clear situational value in field-position swings and late-game scenarios.
His sack and TFL totals indicate the capacity to be used in downhill blitz packages or as an inside run-stopper depending on matchup needs. How often he is asked to blitz or hold in coverage will be determined by the defensive game plan against Ohio State and SEC opponents.
How Biles bolsters Texas’ CFP path and SEC recruiting
Adding an experienced Power Five starter supports Texas’ roster construction as it pursues College Football Playoff positioning in a season where margin matters. A linebacker with turnover upside can influence close games and add stability to a defense that finished in the top half of conference metrics.
From a recruiting optics standpoint, landing a productive transfer from Pitt who hails from Ohio sends a signal about Texas’ ability to attract experienced talent from other power-conference pipelines. That may have downstream effects when the staff competes for recruits in regions overlapping Ohio State’s footprint.
Local reports first outlined Biles’ transfer and his comments about the upcoming matchup, and his public stance that he didn’t want to remain in Columbus creates a personal storyline that adds stakes to the nonconference rematch.
