Steve Sarkisian's QB resume helped Texas land 2025 4-star K.J. Lacey

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s history of landing and developing elite quarterback talent is well-documented at this point. On June 2 Sarkisian and the Longhorns added another elite quarterback talent in Saraland (Ala.) 2025 four-star prospect K.J. Lacey to kick off their 2025 class.

Lacey still has a few years before he sets foot on a college campus but Sarkisian’s history with quarterbacks played a significant role in pulling one the top 2025 prospects in Alabama out of the state.

On the latest edition of the On3 Roundtable, Texas recruiting insider Gerry Hamilton broke down why Lacey committed to the Longhorns and what role he will play in recruiting their 2025 class.

“When I talked to him, he told me that Sark’s resume as a quarterback developer in that offensive scheme was a big reason why he picked Texas after visiting and really learning about the University of Texas in Austin,” Hamilton said. “That’s one of the top-rated quarterback rooms in the country who has to go out and perform. When you can stack multiple guys that could be draft picks one day in the quarterback room. It’s hard not to win 9-10 games a season at least.”

Lacey’s projected comparison

A 6-foot-1, 180-pound recruit and the No. 5 quarterback in the 2025 cycle, Lacey still has plenty of time to grow before his high school career comes to an end.

However, Hamilton sees a favorable comparison to a former Heisman winner and recent No. 1 overall pick.

“This might be an easy answer but it, it, the guy we’ve seen most recently is Bryce Young. Bryce is a 6-foot and a half, 6-foot-1, 200-205 pound guy,” Hamilton said. “He’s not a real thick, traditional-sized quarterback so the physical traits are similar there because K.J. is gonna end up being a 6-1, 200-pound. He doesn’t turn 17 until January. Their playing style is very similar too.

“They’re both athletic quarterbacks, but they’re athletic in the pocket and out of the pocket to get the ball out of their hand, not to make plays with their feet unless that’s last resort. They’re natural passers that have some real gamesmanship and remaking them can throw it from every arm angle, every slot and are very naturally accurate guys.”

2025 targets for Lacey to recruit

The lone commitment in Texas’ 2025 class so far, Lacey will play a huge role in helping the Longhorns get a head-start on building that class.

He’s teammates with five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and an Alabama pledge. Williams recently visited Texas but Hamilton believes that pulling him away from the Crimson Tide will be a tall task.

A few uncommitted players Lacey worked with during his visit to Texas could be more logical targets for Lacey to go after.

“One guy he was throwing the ball to at the elite camp Saturday prior to committing was Dakorien Moore, the number two ran receiver behind Ryan Williams in the class of 2025 out of Duncanville,” Hamilton said. “Another special wide receiver prospect who I believe is a Texas lean over LSU right now and is headed into an LSU visit later this June. Another one was Harlem Barry, the five-star running back out of the New Orleans area.

He was at the elite camp at Texas elite camp Saturday and he spent some time with Tashard Choice who is a recruiting witch at running back at this point. You add a talented quarterback like K.J. Lacey and Tashard Choice to the recruitment of Harlem Berry, Texas has a puncher’s chance against LSU for sure.”