AUSTIN, Texas – Texas senior defensive tackle Ashton Dorsey has elected to transfer, the school announced Tuesday.

Dorsey’s decision to leave the program comes as a surprise. Though he was left of Texas’ depth chart released on Monday, Dorsey was expected to be one of four defensive tackles who started or earned significant playing time this season.

In nine games last season, Dorsey led all Texas defensive tackles in tackles for loss with 10. He recorded 28 tackles and one pass breakup.

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound lineman, a native of Tyler, Texas, appeared in 30 games in his Texas career and started six games. He had already been ruled out for Texas’ season opener Saturday against New Mexico State with a sore calf muscle.

A calf injury and a concussion sidelined Dorsey for four of Texas’ final five games last season. The reason for his transfer is unknown.

The Longhorns named senior Chris Whaley and sophomore Malcom Brown their starting defensive tackles on Monday, and junior Desmond Jackson is expected to rotate into the lineup. Whaley and Jackson have made a combined 21 career starts for Texas.

Replacing the production of Dorsey might be problematic, but defensive tackles coach Bo Davis has two redshirt freshmen who could fill the void.

Texas has high expectations for Hassan Ridgeway, and coach Mack Brown has said fellow second-year tackle Alex Norman could be in line for playing time. They were listed as co-backups at nose tackle on the UT depth chart Monday.