Former Texas guard Jordan Pope is staying in the SEC, but he will be changing sides of one of the conference's biggest in-state rivalries.

Pope has committed to Texas A&M after entering the transfer portal, giving head coach Bucky McMillan and the Aggies another experienced addition to their roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The move sends Pope from Austin to College Station following a season in which he averaged 13.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for the Longhorns. He also shot 37.2 percent from three-point range.

Pope's opportunity to play another college season comes after a recent court ruling granted additional eligibility to players from the 2022 recruiting class, opening the door for him to return for a fifth year.

The transfer marks another chapter in a college career that has already taken Pope through multiple programs.

A native of Napa, California, Pope began his career at Oregon State and quickly established himself as a contributor. As a freshman, he earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors before spending a second season with the Beavers.

Pope then entered the transfer portal and became one of the more highly regarded guards available. Texas A&M was among the programs pursuing him at the time, but Pope ultimately chose Texas.

He went on to spend two seasons with the Longhorns before returning to the portal this offseason.

Now, two years after initially considering Texas A&M, Pope will make the move to College Station and play for McMillan.

His four seasons of college basketball give the Aggies an experienced guard who has played in multiple conferences and appeared in postseason competition. Pope's ability to score from the perimeter also gives Texas A&M another option in the backcourt as the program continues building its roster for McMillan's second season.

For Texas, Pope's departure means the Longhorns lose an experienced member of their backcourt and one of their leading scorers from last season. His decision is particularly notable because he will remain in the SEC and join an in-state rival.

Pope is also not the only former Longhorn to make the move to College Station. He will reunite with former Texas teammate Jamie Vinson, who also transferred to Texas A&M.

With Pope's commitment, the longtime Texas-Texas A&M rivalry will have another connection when the programs meet again, this time with Pope wearing maroon and white after previously representing the Longhorns.