Texas’s 2026 recruiting class is indeed firing on
📣 Latest Momentum & Key Additions
Texas secured Tyler Atkinson, Georgia’s top linebacker and a consensus 5-star, and James Johnson, a 5‑star defensive tackle flipped from Georgia—bringing the tally to 20 commits, with half from outside Texas (8 from SEC states) .
Recent additions include Samari Matthews, a 4‑star cornerback from North Carolina (now ranked No. 57 nationally), elevating the class to 18 before the last two picks .
The class is regarded among the top 10 nationally—No. 9 by 247Sports, No. 12 overall with a 75% blue-chip rate per On3 .
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🌍 National Reach & Strategy Shift
With 10 out of 20 commits from out-of-state, including 8 from SEC territories, Texas has significantly expanded its recruiting footprint following its move to the SEC .
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian highlights the trend: leveraging SEC membership to attract top talent from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, while still maintaining strong in-state ties .
Five-star commits: QB Dia Bell, LB Tyler Atkinson, DT James Johnson, plus previous top-tier targets.
Blue-chip (4★+) rate: ~75%, one of the highest in the country .
Positional balance: strong haul across positions—pass rusher Richard Wesley, DL Vodney Cleveland, CB Samari Matthews, OT Max Wright—showcasing both front-line and depth pickups .
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Outlook & Implications
The growth to 20 commits, with elite national talent, pushes the class into top-10 territory, rivaling SEC heavyweights .
Texas is posting its highest ratio of out-of-state signees in modern history, reflecting a new national recruitment model under Sarkisian .
Momentum is clearly building—keep an eye on the trenches (OL and DL), where a few key additions could elevate class rankings even further.
