Texas will enter its sixth full season under Steve Sarkisian in 2026, and the Longhorns have assembled one of, if not the most talented roster in all of college football.
They do this in part through the transfer portal, but mostly because of their elite high school recruiting. They’ve signed top-10 classes in the country four straight years (2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025), including the No. 1 overall class in 2025. Their 2026 class still ranks 10th among rival industry team recruiting rankings and is the “worst” of the bunch. There are three five-star signees and 15 blue-chip signees.
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This talent acquisition creates championship expectations in Austin, and rightfully so. Texas will likely enter next season as the preseason No. 1 seed in the nation Archie Manning As the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. But Thacker and his colleagues aren’t looking for one-time success. They are recruiting talent to continue building through 2027 and beyond.
The 2027 recruiting class further proves this. As of mid-February, Texas had as many as six commitments and was once again in the top 10. In addition to their four high three-star prospects, the Longhorns have two blue-chip players, led by Easton Royal, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver from Louisiana.
Royal College chose Texas over in-state LSU, as well as Ole Miss, Miami, Georgia and dozens of others. He won’t be the only elite prospect the Longhorns can sign in December.
Texas Longhorns Breakdown by Position
quarterback
Ty Knutson (unranked)
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wide receiver
Five-star Easton Royal Hotel (No. 7 NATL, No. 1 WR)
tight end
Three-star JT Geraci (NATL. No. 538, TE 27)
Edge punching machine
Four-star Cameron Hall (NATL. No. 242, EDGE No. 24)
defender
3-star Cade Haug (No. 432 NATL, No. 32 LB)
Safety
Three-star Greedy James (No. 583 in NATL, No. 63 in S)
