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Texas Recruiting Notes 2026: They Can't Keep Getting Away With This


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Posted

CJ Vogel

 

The official visit season has come and gone, which means we are full steam ahead to the football season with commitments scattered in between now and then!

Each cycle the 4th of July brings fireworks in recruiting and this cycle will prove to be no different. Here is a quick look at updated decision dates for the top targets on the Texas board.

***

Decision Date: June 26

Ezavier Crowell, RB, Jackson (Ala.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++
Texas OV Date: June 6-8
Final 6: Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Texas

 

Decision Date: June 27

Malakai Lee, OT, Honolulu (Hi.) Kamehameha
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++
Texas OV Date: June 6–8
Finalists: Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia

 

Decision Date: June 27

Chase Calicut, DB, Houston (Texas) North Shore
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+
Texas OV Date: June 20–22
Finalists: Texas, Michigan, Georgia

 

Decision Date: June 29

Xavier Griffin, LB, Gainesville (Ga.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
Texas OV Date: June 13–15
Finalists: Texas, Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama

 

Decision Date: July 2

Kendall Guervil, Fort Myers (Fla.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++
OV Date: June 20-22
Finalists: Florida State, Georgia, Texas, Alabama

 

Decision Date: July 4 

Kaydon Finley, Aledo (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+
OV Date: June 20-22
Finalists: Texas, Notre Dame

 

Decision Date: July 4

John Turntine III, OT, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
OV Date: June 20–22
Finalists: Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Stanford

 

Decision Date: July 4

Bryce Perry-Wright, EDGE, Buford (Ga.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+
OV Date: June 13–15
Finalists: Texas, Texas A&M, Clemson

 

Decision Date: July 8

Jalen Lott, WR/ATH, Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek  
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++
OV Date: June 13-15
Finalists: Texas, Oregon, USC


Decision Date: July 10

Lamar Brown, DL, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
OV Date: June 6–8
Finalists: Texas, LSU, Texas A&M, Miami

 

Decision Date: July 10

Jamarion Carlton, EDGE, Temple (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+
OV Date: June 6–8
Finalists: Texas, Baylor, LSU, Texas Tech

 

Decision Date: July 12

Heze Kent, TE, Brunswick (Ga.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++ 
OV Date: June 13-15
Finalists: Miami, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Texas

 

Decision Date: August 10

Samari Matthews, CB, Cornelius (N.C.) Hough
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++
OV date: June 13-15
Finalists: Texas, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida State

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Posted
57 minutes ago, PTINS said:

image.png.91efcd50907810872b8a1417b973207c.png

Town Lake isn't big enough any more?

Where are your paisley ties?

"I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

46 minutes ago, SaucyJack said:

A buddy, "in the know", just texted me:

 

Figure it out.  I'll let you know when it happens.  6, 31, 17, 12, 49

 

What exactly does he "know"? Is your friend Kevin Trudeau? Jason Higdon? Gotch Yarbrough?

39 minutes ago, satyanash said:

1SAP2gQ.thumb.png.c6fa4d88097889e5962c1553980c6ed8.png

When and where did this originate? I missed it, and it is fucking awesome.

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Posted
13 hours ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Just watched James Johnson's hudl.  He's the most explosive of all the DL guys that have committed or we're after.  By far the best pass rusher of the bunch.

Either his competition sucks or he is a literal fucking monster. I suppose it could be both. No one in the tape wants any part at all of trying to block him.

Posted
1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

Thoughts from the Georgia side, per Wolk, for a few targets:

-Jae Lamar (RB) decides later this week between UGA, Clemson and Miami. Georgia had four OVs from TBs this cycle: Lamar (from Georgia), Hiter, Crowell and Cooper. UGA does not expect to land the other 3 and the eggs are in the Lamar basket. Miami mods, who are often idiots and laughably wrong, believe that Miami is landing both Lamar and Crowell. Regardless, UGA being out for Cooper and Crowell is news to me. 

-Georgia thinks it’s landing Calicut, per intel from a source close to Calicut at North Shore. Why does Texas ever fucking bother recruiting that shitstain program? What a fucking waste. 

-UGA seems to think it is out on Malakai Lee, but holding out hope. 

-They’ve lost confidence in landing James Johnson. 

FYI, I mixed up my names. Miami thinks they're landing both Lamar and Cooper, not Lamar and Crowell. Wolk thinks UGA is completely out on both Crowell and Cooper.

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Posted

The Stampede: Recruiting scoop from the third and final Texas OV weekend of the summer
 

Quote

AUSTIN, Texas -- That's a wrap for summer official visit season on the Forty Acres. In all, 43 recruits toured Texas in an official capacity, and the Longhorns are already seeing results in the form of commitments. We've seen UT land seven thus far, growing its class to 15 and a top 10 ranking. 

As we've done every Monday following visitors weekend, today's Stampede will focus on intel we gathered on this past weekend's group of visitors. 

Take a look! 

Horns247's Hank South, and Will Turboff contributed to this report.

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Chace Calicut, 4-star S, North Shore

Chace Calicut and Steve Sarkisian on his official visit. (Photo: Chace Calicut)
Texas had a great official visit with Calicut and he highlighted his time getting hosted by Caleb Chester and Jonah Williams and his meetings with Duane Akina, Mark Orphey, and Steve Sarkisian. The Houston area native is down to Texas, Georgia, and Michigan, but the latest intel suggests the Longhorns and Bulldogs are the teams to watch ahead of Calicut's decision date on Friday, June 27th. Texas certainly has a fight on their hands with the Bulldogs and Kirby Smart's track record of defensive backs. It is close heading into the week and Horns247 still thinks Texas can land the Top247 safety come Friday, but the Bulldogs likely have higher chances five days from the decision. (SCRUGGS)

Tyler Atkinson, 5-star LB, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson
Of recruitments I'm most interested to see how they play out over the next two weeks, Atkinson's is up there. Information has been somewhat all over the place with where Texas sits for the nation's No. 2 linebacker. After speaking with multiple sources coming out of the weekend, it's up in the air. You have some that would be very surprised if he wasn't a Georgia Bulldog come decision day, and some that think Texas' charge in this one is enough to get it done. Atkinson has been working out in Austin with former UT great Derrick Johnson, among others. He's become very familiar with the city and campus, not to mention the UT roster that is growing quite a Peach State population over the last year. No decision date is set, but Atkinson is expected to attend the Elite Week in Las Vegas in early July. We've seen other top prospects set decision dates for that time frame, so it would make sense if something comes out of that. It's too early to try and make a prediction. (SOUTH)

Kendall Guervil, 4-star DL, Fort Myers (Fla.)

Kendall Guervil on his official visit to Texas. (Photo: Kendall Guervil)
 

After Guervil made it to the Forty Acres in April, he rated the trip 'perfect' in a conversation with 247Sports, so the expectations were high for this past weekend's official visit, and by all accounts, Texas delivered.

With a commitment date now set for July 2 and another instance of him naming the Longhorns as the leader in his recruitment, Horns247 feels confident that Guervil will choose UT over Florida, Georgia, and Florida State. (TURBOFF)

Kaiden Prothro, 4-star TE, Bowdown (Ga.)
We're still working the phones to try and gather intel on Prothro. He spoke with us before heading home but didn't shed too much light into where he's leaning outside of saying he's considering the schools he officially visited. Georgia has been considered the team to beat, and how could they not? The Bulldogs missed on Mark Bowman and have a recent success rate with tight end development. The same can be said for Texas, though, after back-to-back seasons sending a tight end to the league, and probably one more upcoming with Jack Endries. With that being said, sources on Sunday still felt Georgia held the edge in Prothro's recruitment, with Texas a more likely landing spot for guys like Keawe Brown and Heze Kent. I wouldn't completely write this recruitment off for Texas, though. He wouldn't have visited this weekend if he wasn't seriously considering the Longhorns, nor would UT have brought him in if they didn't believe they have a legitimate chance. (SOUTH)

Kosi Okpala, 3-star LB/EDGE, Mayde Creek

Kosi Okpala on a visit to Texas earlier this year. (Photo: Hank South, 247Sports)
 

Texas entered the weekend as the favorite and left the weekend as the favorite. The Longhorns have been in a favorable position since they offered in January of 2024, and the Burnt Orange are set up to close in the next few weeks. Okpala will have an announcement in the next few days that includes his top four and a commitment date that'll be set for one of the first few days of July. Texas pitched Okpala over the weekend on playing an off-ball linebacker role with snaps off the edge on third downs. Okpala was hosted by Ty'Anthony Smith and also spent a lot of time around Anthony Hill Jr. (SCRUGGS)

James Johnson, 4-star DL, Miami (Fla.) Northwestern
One of the late additions to the final group of summer official visitors, Johnson swapped out a planned trip to Syracuse to see Texas over the weekend, but that may not have propelled the Longhorns to the level of Miami, Georgia, and a couple other lasting contenders, from what we've gathered.

While heading out of town, the South Beach native said that he's planning on releasing his plans for a commitment at some point early this week, and the Longhorns are expected to be included in a short list of finalists. If Kenny Baker is able to get this one done with a defensive line class that already ranks near the top of the nation's best, it would be one of his bigger recruiting wins yet. (TURBOFF)

Chris Stewart, 3-star WR, Shadow Creek -- Texas commit

Texas WR commit Chris Stewart (left) and QB commit Dia Bell (middle) and WR target Kaydon Finley (right) on their official visits to Texas. (Photo: Chris Stewart)
 

Though he did take an official visit to Tennessee as well as unofficial visits to Baylor, LSU, SMU, and Texas A&M, Stewart was never close to decommitting since pledging to Texas almost exactly a year ago on June 25th. Stewart told Horns247 that he told Chris Jackson he was shutting things down the evening of Sunday, June 15th, but the Texas commit wanted to wait until his Texas official visit to tell the rest of the Longhorns' staff. Due to storms in Houston that caused the Stewart family to get home a day later on Monday, the Texas receiver commit was still in Knoxville when he called Jackson and told him he wasn't going anywhere on Sunday, June 15th. Stewart also teamed up with his quarterback commit over the weekend to peer recruit Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley. With his recruitment shut down, Stewart's focus now turns to breaking Pearland Shadow Creek's career receiving yards record as a senior. (SCRUGGS)

Kaydon Finley, 4-star WR, Aledo
Texas hosted the Longhorns legacy this weekend, as UT continues to try and ward off Notre Dame in this recruitment. We've consistently felt that Texas would end up winning out against the Fighting Irish and nothing has changed coming out of the weekend after checking with sources. You could make the argument that Finley is the only true receiver Texas is still recruiting. Jalen Lott is a receiver but has also been recruited to play on the defensive side of the ball. Outside of that, there's not much. Texas has commitments from Chris Stewart, Kohen Brown, and Jermaine Bishop, so the class is mostly put together. UT would love to add Finley to that group. (SOUTH) 

Calvin Thomas, 3-star LB, Cy Ranch

Calvin Thomas on his official visit to Texas. (Photo: Calvin Thomas)
 

Since shortly after he received a Texas offer in January, Thomas hasn't talked about the Longhorns, or his recruitment in general for that matter to the level that most of the team's top targets have, and that's made this one a little bit hard to track. Coming out of his official visit, one thing is for sure, and that's that the Longhorns are still a school to watch for as he wraps up his process sooner rather than later.

Nebraska and Michigan reportedly knocked their respective visits with the Houston-area linebacker out of the park, but with Texas being his last stop of the summer, they may be primed to take his commitment in the coming days. (TURBOFF)

Dia Bell, 5-star QB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage -- Texas commit & Jermaine Bishop, 5-star ATH, Willis -- Texas commit
Texas' two five-star commits were actively recruiting prospects throughout the weekend and have already helped land one Texas target in Top247 EDGE Richard Wesley. Both are locked in with the Longhorns and have put together impressive offseasons with Bell recently becoming the first Texas Longhorn to win MVP honors at the Elite 11 Finals and Bishop having put together unreal performances at each 7on7 tournament he attended this spring. Up next for Bishop is the state 7on7 tournament this upcoming weekend and Bell will return back to working the phones and his quarterback training sessions. (SCRUGGS)

Keawe Browne, 3-star TE, Corona (Calif.) Centennial

Keawe Browne ahead of his official visit to Texas. (Photo: Hank South, 247Sports)
Browne headed into the weekend as one of the safest bets to join the Longhorns 2026 recruiting class, and although a commitment hasn't come yet, that still seems to be the case.

Before departing Austin on Sunday, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end told Horns247 that he's planning on announcing his commitment at some point late this month or early in July. In the exchange of messages, Browne detailed why Texas has emerged as the only major player to this point in his recruitment, saying that Jeff Banks' proven track record of development has been at the front of his mind as of late. (TURBOFF)

Trenton Henderson, 5-star EDGE, Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic
Texas has surged up the list in Henderson's recruitment over the last 2-3 weeks, going from an afterthought to arguably a top finalist for the Sunshine State standout. In fact, Horns247 believes that this is a Florida/Texas race down the stretch. A decision date is likely to be set soon. Horns247 asked a source close to the situation about whether or not Richard Wesley's commitment affected any other EDGE targets in the class and we were told it would not. Still, with UF being considered the team to beat by most entering the weekend, Texas adding Wesley on Sunday, with it already being in prime position for another elite EDGE type in Jamarion Carlton, it's not hard to envision Henderson ultimately staying home and playing for the Gators. Still, there's likely another week or so to go in this recruitment, and we've seen how much ground Texas has made up in two weeks, so never say never. But UF seems like the better bet as of today. Check with me tomorrow, though. (SOUTH)

Richard Wesley, 4-star EDGE, Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon -- Texas commit

Richard Wesley with Texas EDGE coach LaAllan Clark during his official visit. (Photo: Richard Wesley)
Wesley shocked the world for the second time in the past two months, committing to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns in a Sunday meeting. Coming into the weekend, a commitment coming at all –much less this soon – felt like a long shot, and his decision stands as one of the most surprising of the cycle.

In a conversation with 247Sports' National Analyst Blair Angulo, the nation's No. 35 overall prospect said he's "…going to get the best of both worlds at Texas," mentioning the combination of an elite football program and high academic standards as one of the factors into his recruitment. Throughout the cycle, EDGE has been a position where the Longhorns sit well for quite a few elite prospects, and LaAllan Clark will now look to pair a couple of those names with Wesley. (TURBOFF)

John Turntine III, 4-star OT, North Crowley
Turntine's visit was a success, per multiple sources. There's confidence in Austin about where the Longhorns sit. However there's also confidence in Ann Arbor, and you can't sleep on Texas A&M in their quest to try and sign an elite class. Whose confidence wins out? I'd still slightly lean Texas but I — and the rest of us on Horns247 — feel better about the chances for Felix Ojo, not to mention growing optimism on the Forty Acres when it comes to Malakai Lee. I feel comfortable saying this isn't going to be a situation where Texas strikes out with these guys. I believe it's a much better chance of a 2-for-3 type deal, if not all three, which Texas would gleefully take. (SOUTH)

 

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Posted
13 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

That's what it would seem, especially if UGA thinks they're out.

 

37 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Has to be good news on Crowell?

 I also think it may be why Edwards committed to Aggy out of left field. 

Posted

 

From Michigan 247, a few days ago:

 

image.thumb.png.a724c0b831e40600c108221dfd396212.png

 

BAMA 247 today:

 

image.thumb.png.9ea48b154f1e0e3c6f387cf7c7f86c3b.png

 

- Also, the BAMA 247 guy (Brett Greenberg) put in a CB for Ezavier Crowell, to Bama, yesterday evening.

 

Streets - Mike Roach (247 Sports) - on Zaden Krempin.

 

image.thumb.png.e1968d0fbd3c3da4c85b5e50d748e41c.png

 

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Posted
4 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Have you seen something somewhere to indicate that that might not be the case?

No, was just late to the party in the earlier discussion about who the 4 silents might be and was surprised I didn't see his name mentioned yet. 

Posted
25 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

No, was just late to the party in the earlier discussion about who the 4 silents might be and was surprised I didn't see his name mentioned yet. 

If it helps at all, no one else knows a fucking thing here, either. 

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Posted
52 minutes ago, Getafix said:

 

From Michigan 247, a few days ago:

 

image.thumb.png.a724c0b831e40600c108221dfd396212.png

 

BAMA 247 today:

 

image.thumb.png.9ea48b154f1e0e3c6f387cf7c7f86c3b.png

 

- Also, the BAMA 247 guy (Brett Greenberg) put in a CB for Ezavier Crowell, to Bama, yesterday evening.

 

Streets - Mike Roach (247 Sports) - on Zaden Krempin.

 

image.thumb.png.e1968d0fbd3c3da4c85b5e50d748e41c.png

 

I like Krempin and would love to have him in the class.  Plays angry on film.  I'm guessing aggy went way over the top to get another head-to-head win for the Elk so Looch, Goober Graham, and the rest of those idiots can write articles about running the state and the Elk owning Sark on the recruiting trail.

Posted
4 minutes ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

I like Krempin and would love to have him in the class.  Plays angry on film.  I'm guessing aggy went way over the top to get another head-to-head win for the Elk so Looch, Goober Graham, and the rest of those idiots can write articles about running the state and the Elk owning Sark on the recruiting trail.

IMO he's a jack of all trades and master of none type prospect meaning he could play inside or out but he's not incredible at any one position. 

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Posted
14 minutes ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

I like Krempin and would love to have him in the class.  Plays angry on film.  I'm guessing aggy went way over the top to get another head-to-head win for the Elk so Looch, Goober Graham, and the rest of those idiots can write articles about running the state and the Elk owning Sark on the recruiting trail.

If they keep overpaying players to come to BCS when those players have no real desire to be there, their locker room is going to continue to be an absolute dumpster fire.

They will just end up poor(er) and frustrated. It's like coming home to an empty house after a long night at the titter, but sober and without the fun memories. 

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Posted
Just now, closetojumping said:

There’s a similar thread on the 247 Georgia board where they’re whining about Texas doing “illegal” things with money and not staying within the NIL “cap”. It’s a delicious read. I’d post it, but I don’t care enough about the rest of you people right now to put in the work. 

That seems like the next evolution of bitching, should be some glorious stuff. 

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Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, Longhornfrenzy said:

Screenshot_2025-06-23-12-51-02-47_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg

 

Screenshot_2025-06-23-12-51-29-77_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg

image.png.bf6968e780601c7efaf096be6f33ad39.png

Yep. Texas is totally going to be the Achan to NIL's Jericho.

Oh, wait. Alabama and UGA have been doing this for years with multiple elite d-line recruits and it has worked out totally fine. 

Good call, GatorZru1e

Edited by MuellerHorn
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Posted
59 minutes ago, Getafix said:

We could see Wesley playing some as interior tackle, although staying as an edge rusher is definitely his first choice and where he's being recruited.

What his tape looked like to me.

Posted

Anyone willing to put in the legwork to see how many decommits we’ve had in the NIL era? Would love to see the math on who commits versus ultimately ends up in the class. Same thing other teams are saying in regards to “it’s a long time to signing day.” Especially with CTJ saying yesterday they’re not just accepting commits from anyone. But in reality it feels since NIL our signing day 1s have been pretty quiet. TIA if anyone takes it upon themselves.

Posted
1 minute ago, BornAndRaised said:

Anyone willing to put in the legwork to see how many decommits we’ve had in the NIL era? Would love to see the math on who commits versus ultimately ends up in the class. Same thing other teams are saying in regards to “it’s a long time to signing day.” Especially with CTJ saying yesterday they’re not just accepting commits from anyone. But in reality it feels since NIL our signing day 1s have been pretty quiet. TIA if anyone takes it upon themselves.

Do we include the 2022 class which was kind of basically Sark's 1st class or guys who bailed due to Bo Davis leaving?

2022:
Evan Stewart(A&M)
Jamarion Miller(Bama)
Kobie Mckinzie(Oklahoma)
Armani Winfield(Baylor)
Phaizon Wilson(Grambling)
Eoghan Kerry(Colorado)
Champ Lewis(TCU)

2023:
Reuben Owens(A&M)
Jonah Wilson(Houston)
Jamel Johnson(TCU)
Dylan Spencer(Tech)

2024:
Aeryn Hampton(Bama)
Hunter Moddon(N/A)
Jaden Allen(Arkansas)

2025:
Joseph Mbatchou(Florida)
Brandon Brown(LSU)
John Mills(Washington)
Raycine Guillory(Utah)
Anthony Williams(TCU)

 

Pretty much a bunch of bread or guys that have talent but haven't done shit like Evan Stewart and Reuben Owens. 
 

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