Texas offensive lineman Darius James, a five-star member of the Longhorns’ 2013 recruiting class, will transfer to Auburn, 247Sports reported.

The 6-foot-5, 304-pound James played in six games for Texas as a redshirt freshman in 2014, including a pair of starts at right tackle.

New Longhorns coach Charlie Strong and the coaching staff shuffled James in and out of the lineup, mostly dictated by injuries to other players, before a knee injury of his own ended James’ season in November.

Strong told the media that James wasn’t with the team this spring due to academic reasons, according to SB Nation.

James, granted an unconditional release from Texas, visited the Auburn campus and met with head coach Gus Malzahn this weekend, 247Sports reported. He will sit out the 2015 season per NCAA rules, rehab his knee and join spring practice next year with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

“It’s a perfect situation,” an anonymous source told 247Sports. “With the knee and with them not having an immediate need it’s a great situation for Darius to get healthy before he’s ready to contribute.”

James, rated as the No. 1 offensive guard in the state of Texas during the ’13 recruiting cycle, was Texas’ highest-rated member of that signing class.

It’s unclear whether he’ll play guard or right tackle for the Tigers. But this year’s projected starters at those positions — Alex Kozan, Braden Smith and Avery Young — all have eligibility remaining for 2016.

James is a nice pickup for Auburn. He’s dealt with some injury issues, including breaking both of his feet in ’13. He may or may not be a factor during the ’16 season. But if he can stay healthy and remain academically eligible, there’s a good chance he’ll start for the Tigers in ’17.