3 Texas Longhorns Who Won't Return for the 2026 Season

Key players like Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, and Chendall Weaver will be departing the program after a successful first year under head coach Sean Miller.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:19pm

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The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is saying goodbye to several key players who made major contributions during their NCAA Tournament run in the 2025-26 season. Sixth-year guard Tramon Mark, who joined the team after stints at Houston and Arkansas, will be out of eligibility. Guards Jordan Pope and Chendall Weaver, who both stepped up in big moments, will also be departing the program after exhausting their college careers.

Why it matters

The Longhorns had a breakout season under new head coach Sean Miller, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The departures of Mark, Pope, and Weaver will leave significant holes to fill, as they were instrumental in the team's success. Miller will need to reload with new talent to build on this season's momentum and continue the program's upward trajectory.

The details

Tramon Mark was arguably Texas' best player during the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points per game over four games, including a game-winning shot against NC State and a 29-point performance against Purdue. Jordan Pope hit multiple big shots for the Longhorns in the tournament, though he broke his foot late against Gonzaga. Chendall Weaver, a transfer from UTA, brought a gritty, hustle-filled style of play that was praised by coach Miller for its impact on winning basketball.

  • Tramon Mark will be out of eligibility as the 2026-27 season begins.
  • Jordan Pope's college eligibility has been exhausted after five seasons, including two at Texas.
  • Chendall Weaver's college career comes to an end after transferring to Texas from UTA for his final season.

The players

Tramon Mark

A sixth-year guard who joined Texas in 2024 after three seasons at Houston and one at Arkansas. He had two years of remaining eligibility at the time and played a critical role in the Longhorns' NCAA Tournament run.

Jordan Pope

A guard who spent two seasons with Texas and three with Oregon State, providing sharpshooting ability that the Longhorns will need to replace.

Chendall Weaver

A guard who began his career with the UTA Mustangs for a year before transferring to Texas, bringing a gritty, hustle-filled style of play that was praised by coach Sean Miller.

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What they’re saying

“It was definitely tough. I'm not sure a lot of guys would have went out there and played.”

— Jordan Pope

“He's that throwback player where, this is it for him. ... He's a Texas kid. He loves this place. He grew up here; it means a lot to him. You can sense his desperation in a good way, where he's playing his heart and soul, leaving it all on the court.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach

What’s next

The Longhorns will need to find replacements for the production and leadership that Mark, Pope, and Weaver provided. Coach Miller and his staff will be tasked with recruiting and developing new talent to build on this season's success and continue the program's upward trajectory.

The takeaway

The departures of these three key players, who were instrumental in Texas' NCAA Tournament run, will leave significant holes for the Longhorns to fill. However, the program's momentum and coach Sean Miller's ability to develop talent provide optimism that Texas can reload and remain a force in the Big 12 and nationally.