Texas Longhorns linebacker Rasheem Biles has marked the team's Sept. 12 game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on his calendar, stating that the matchup is personal due to not being recruited by the Buckeyes out of high school. Biles, who grew up approximately 30 minutes southeast of Columbus, Ohio, in Pickerington, indicated that he did not wish to play in Columbus.
"They called and stuff [when I was in the transfer portal], but I didn't want to stay in Columbus if I'm being honest," Biles said. "Obviously, we got agents. When I made my list and stuff, I told my mom, I ain't trying to be in Columbus, and I'm not trying to be a Buckeye. They didn't want me out of high school, and I was right there, so there's no point in trying to get me now."
Biles joined the Texas program after spending his first three collegiate seasons with the Pitt Panthers from 2023 to 2025. In the previous season, he recorded 101 combined tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Biles averaged 91.5 combined tackles and 15.8 tackles for loss per season.
He joins a Texas defense that ranked 12th in the SEC in opponent passing yards allowed, eighth in total yards allowed, sixth in points allowed, and fifth in rushing yards allowed last season. The Longhorns finished the season at 9-3 and defeated Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Ohio State, a No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, lost in the quarterfinal round.
The matchup between Texas and Ohio State will be the third consecutive year the teams have met. Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals and again to open the 2025 season by a score of 14-7. This will mark the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs, with Ohio State holding a 3-2 advantage in previous contests.