Longhorns & Transfer G Caleb Love Have Strong Mutual Interest

The Texas Longhorns have apparently made it clear to North Carolina transfer guard Caleb Love that he's a major recruiting priority for them.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns could be on the cusp of something big due to recent unforeseen circumstances.

Former North Carolina Tar Heels guard and March Madness hero Caleb Love is back on the market in the transfer portal after issues with credits transitioning over forced him to decommit from the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday. Now, the Longhorns are jumping at the opportunity to add him to the fold, and the interest is mutual.

Team sources tell LonghornsCountry.com that there is strong mutual interest between Love and the Longhorns. The program has apparently made it clear to Love how coveted he is for coach Rodney Terry and crew next season.

And per reports from Inside Texas, the Longhorns and UConn Huskies are leading the way for Love with the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators in the mix as well. Love is "likely to decide" next week, per the report.

There's still work to be done to secure a commitment from a guy who became arguably the top player in the portal upon leaving UNC, but it's hard not to sit back and imagine the intrigue Love would add to the Texas backcourt should he choose the Longhorns.

Potentially playing alongside an elite tandem in Tyrese Hunter and Max Abmas, Love could bring a unique and natural scoring feel to a guard group that immediately would be considered one of the best in the country. This past season, the Tar Heels failed to make the NCAA Tournament, but Love averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Inside Texas has also reported that in a world where Love chooses Texas, he could be deployed in a three-guard starting five alongside Abmas and Hunter.

Despite UNC's disappointing season, it's understandable to see why Love is a target for programs focused on winning a championship. Averaging 18.8 points per game, Love embodied what it meant to be clutch in the biggest moments during the 2022 NCAA Tournament, as he led the No. 8 Tar Heels all the way to the National Championship, where they were one-half away from winning it all.

At the start of a quiet and uncertain offseason, Texas landing Love felt like a longshot after his arrival to Michigan seemed certain. But now after retooling multiple areas of the roster, he could potentially be the cherry on top for RT and Co. if everything goes to plan.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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