Source: Texas’ M.J. McFarland coming to UTEP

Jan. 15 Update:

M.J. McFarland, an El Paso high school football standout, is transferring to UTEP from the University of Texas at Austin, a reliable source has told ABC-7.

McFarland told the media he was transferring from Texas and would pick another school by the end of the week.

UTEP officials confirmed with ABC-7 Thursday that head coach Sean Kugler is recruiting McFarland, an El Dorado High School graduate and former Texas tight end.

The university’s athletic department spokesman told ABC-7 over the phone that the process is now with UTEP’s compliance department, which certifies whether recruits are eligible to transfer and play at the university.

McFarland completed his degree at Texas in three years, had redshirted a year, and has one year of eligibility left.

ORIGINAL STORY FROM JAN. 14:

The Longhorn network confirms that M.J. McFarland is leaving the University of Texas at Austin and could be making another big move.

McFarland is also a former high school football standout in the borderland graduating from El Dorado High School.

He completed his degree in three years at UT Austin and redshirted a year; he has one year of eligibility to play Division 1 football.

McFarland was the first scholarship player from El Paso to play in a game for the Longhorns since the 1980s.