Here are five former TXHSFB stars that we've dearly missed since they went to college out of state who're returning home in 2025.

We've ranked them based on the impact Dave Campbell's Texas Football believes the players will have at their new college, not on high school prowess.

1. Texas Tech RB Quentin Joyner (Manor), via USC

Texas Tech has the No. 2 ranked Transfer Portal class in the nation, per 247 Sports, so it's only natural they take the top spot on this list. Quentin Joyner hopes to be the next Manor alum to find stardom in Lubbock after Tahj Brooks set Texas Tech's career rushing yards mark. Joyner had 478 yards and three touchdowns last year for USC and led the Big Ten with 7.6 yards per carry. While he may assume the No. 1 running back role for Brooks, Joyner will share more carries with rising sophomores Cam Dickey and J'Koby Williams. There will be more than enough touches to go around under new offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, who coached Texas State's offense to top 30 finishes in both rushing and passing in his two seasons.

2. Texas A&M CB Julian Humphrey (Houston Clear Lake), via Georgia

Mike Elko said the story of Texas A&M's 35-31 loss to USC in the Las Vegas bowl was the story of its season - "We can't cover the forward pass well enough to be a good football team." Enter Georgia transfer cornerback Julian Humphrey, the No.20-overall recruit in the 2022 DCTF Hot 100. Humphrey's three-year Georgia tenure came to an unharmonious end when he opted to transfer just six days before the SEC Championship game after losing his starting job, but a fresh start close to home could benefit the talented corner.

3. Baylor S Devin Turner (Frisco Lone Star), via Northwestern

Like Texas A&M above, Baylor's bugaboo - even during the win streak - was its pass defense. The Bears ranked 11th in conference play in passing yards allowed per game and lost safety Corey Gordon Jr., who tied for the team lead with three interceptions, to Louisville. Frisco Lone Star alum Devin Turner will compete with returnee Devin Lemear and DJ Coleman for the starting role at strong safety. Turner (6-1, 212) is a rangy playmaker who paced Northwestern with three interceptions last year. He has one year of eligbility remaining. 

4. Texas LB Brad Spence (Klein Forest), via Arkansas

Steve Sarkisian watched Spence rack up seven tackles and a sack against Texas and decided he wanted Spence to do it for him instead. The Klein Forest product saved his best football for late last season with 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks in the final five games and looks to continue that momentum in the burnt orange. The 6-2, 240-pound linebacker can play off the ball and blitz from various spots. Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau are entrenched at linebacker, but Spence's versatility should ensure some packages.

5. Texas Tech TE Terrance Carter (Harker Heights) via Louisiana

Texas Tech lost two NFL-caliber tight ends in Jalin Conyers and Mason Tharp and hopes to replace them, in part, with First Team All-Sun Belt selection Terrance Carter. The Louisiana transfer was the No. 4-ranked tight end in the Portal per On3Sports. Carter, at 6-2, 240, is more of a jumbo wideout than the 6-foot-4 Conyers and 6-8 Tharp. He should complement returnee Johncarlos Miller II.

Honorable Mentions: Sam Houston QB Mabrey Mettauer (The Woodlands), North Texas OT Ugonnna Nnanna (Arlington Seguin)