4-star RB James Simon commits to Texas: ‘They’re going to be one of the best programs in the nation’

Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist Academy four-star running back James Simon saw LSU as the early favorite for his pledge. The Tigers ended up being one of his finalists, along with Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M.  

Yet the Longhorns grabbed the momentum to land Simon after he visited Austin in March. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback “loved everything” about Texas the first time he went to its campus and felt the same way when he returned. 

After talking with his family, Simon realized that Texas offered him the perfect combination of a great school and football program, as well as a coaching staff that gave him a “family feeling.” He made his commitment to the Longhorns official on Wednesday at the On3 Elite Series. 

“They made me feel like a big priority from the second they started recruiting me,” Simon told On3. “It was different. They were real. They talked about everything on and off the field. The coaches were helping me with anything that I needed and giving me advice. They weren’t just treating me like a recruit. 

“Coach Tashard Choice and coach Steve Sarkisian played huge roles in my decision. Coach Sarkisian talked to me almost weekly and we built a real connection. I really felt a genuine connection with him.” 

Sarkisian and Choice were important factors in Simon choosing Texas

Simon shared that Sarkisian, Texas’ head coach, believes he can make plays in both the running and passing games. The No. 4 player in Louisiana is confident that Texas will set him for success on the field, along with off of it. 

“They can put you in a great position for life after football because of the connections that are in Austin and the people that surround the program,” said Simon, the No. 115 overall prospect and No. 8 running back in the 2025 On300. “I also like the offense. It’s so explosive and the way they use their running backs is great. The way coach Sarkisian talked to me about how he’s going to use me and how he sees me fitting in the offense, it was something I couldn’t say no to.” 

Simon is looking to be the next successful Longhorns tailback to be developed by Choice, the Longhorns’ running backs coach. Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Brooks are currently in the NFL, while Simon, CJ Baxter Jr. and Jerrick Gibson among others are hoping to follow in their footsteps. 

Choice is a “one of one” guy, according to Simon. He added that Choice is an “amazing” coach, teacher and leader.

“He supports you,” Simon said. “He’s always there. He’s got energy. He’ll build you up. He’s going to have you ready to go play football. He always sets the mood and gets you excited. That’s a good, happy feeling to have around you, especially if it’s from your coach. That makes it even better.” 

Simon sees Texas as top program for the foreseeable future

Landing Simon gave Texas another blue-chip prospect in its 2025 recruiting class. The talented tailback is now the fourth-highest-pledged player in the Longhorns’ group behind Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove four-star EDGE Lance Jackson, Dallas (Texas) Skyline four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes and Saraland (Ala.) four-star quarterback K.J. Lacey. 

Simon is now pledged to one of the top programs in college football, as Texas is coming off a College Football Playoff appearance and a Big 12 Conference championship. As the Longhorns prepare for their first season in the SEC, the four-star is confident about the future on the Forty Acres.

“I definitely think they’re going to be one of the best programs in the nation,” Simon said. “After making the College Playoff last year, I could say that they already were, but they’re now definitely going to be one of those teams that are contending for a national championship almost every year. I feel like it’s going to be like that for a pretty long time.”