Texas trending with top targets in the 2025 cycle

With the winds of a College Football Playoff appearance at their backs, Texas is looking to capitalize with yet another elite recruiting class under Steve Sarkisian‘s watch.

Since he took over the helm, the Longhorns have finished no worse than No. 6 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings in back-to-back-to-back years. And with the proof in the pudding — or on the field — Sarkisian can sell real results and not just the future of the program. The 2025 class is another loaded one in the state of Texas, with more than 60 blue-chippers in the Lone Star State.

And the Longhorns are already trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) for a couple of them, as well as one of the top recruits in California.

4-star WR Marcus Harris

School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 139
On3 RPM: Texas 91.9%, Oregon 2.0%, Colorado 1.2%

Intel: “Not only is his main recruiter in Chris Jackson a Mater Dei alum himself, but Marcus Harris has seen Sarkisian and company swing through the home of the Monarchs on several occasions in the past few years. Former teammates like Spencer Shannon and Brandon Baker are now on the 40 Acres, and Harris may be the next to join them.

I’m entering an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick in favor of the Texas Longhorns with 60% confidence.” — Joe Cook, InsideTexas.com

4-star LB Elijah Barnes

School: Dallas (Texas) Skyline
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 105
On3 RPM: Texas 89.6%, SMU 3.8%, TCU 1.2%

Intel: “Elijah Barnes and his family are a big fans of Texas, and are very dialed into UT recruiting. Being from the state of Texas and playing for the state school would mean a great deal to them. In speaking with Elijah’s dad, it means something to be wanted by the University of Texas. To be recruited and feel like a priority carries a lot of weight.

Elijah is set to visit Texas this spring and perhaps even twice if Skyline participates in the Texas relays. You can also rest assured he’ll take an official visit to Texas.Though a commitment isn’t imminent, Texas is the clear leader from my vantage. I’ve put in a prediction with 60% confidence.” — Charlie Williams, InsideTexas.com

4-star RB Rickey Stewart Jr.

School: Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 284
On3 RPM: Texas 96.3%, SMU 2.3%

Intel: “Four-star RB Rickey Stewart was on campus for Texas’ star-studded junior day on January 20 and left The Forty Acres with an offer. Stewart, who was committed in-state to SMU before that visit, has since reopened his recruitment. Tashard Choice and Steve Sarkisian have Texas trending at the right time with the On300 running back from East Texas, who is expected back on campus for the spring game in April.” — Sam Spiegelman, On3 National Recruiting Analyst

4-star WR Kelshaun Johnson

School: Houston (Texas) Hitchcock
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 204
On3 RPM: Texas 94.4%, Texas A&M 2.4%

The Skinny: “Kelshaun Johnson has been on campus at Texas multiple times and made his way back to Austin last month for Junior Day. The 5-foot-11.5, 165-pounder playmaker has been high on the Longhorns for time time, with head coach Sarkisian, wide receivers coach Chris Jackson and area recruiter Blake Gideon continuing to make Johnson feel like a priority.

The four-star wideout is scheduled to return to Texas on April 6 for the Longhorns’ spring practice, he told On3’s Sam Spiegelman. In addition to getting back to The Forty Acres, Johnson is expected to return to Texas A&M and head out west to see USC for spring practices.