Texas Longhorns Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown

Texas once again cashed in on the recruiting trail, landing a top-10 class in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns are already making a splash in the 2025 cycle, too.

Thanks to 13 commits — eight of whom are four-star prospects — Texas currently has the No. 14 class in the nation — which also checks in at No. 8 in the SEC.

Texas Class Breakdown

Four prospects joined the class in May, headlined by Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist four-star running back James Simon, the No. 10 RB in the cycle.

Simon is one of five top-200 pledges in the mix for Steve Sarkisian and Co. Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove four-star athlete Lance Jackson continues to rise and is now the No. 71 overall recruit in the nation. Saraland (Ala.) four-star quarterback commit K.J. Lacey is a top-10 QB, top-10 player in Alabama and a top-115 recruit overall. Houston Alief Hastings four-star EDGE Smith Orogbo is the latest to join the class, checking in at No. 26 overall in the 2025 On300.

Dallas Skyline four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes committed in April. He and Jackson are two of six total in-state pledges in the class. Other top commits include Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr., Calhoun (Ga.) four-star tight end Emaree Winston and Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie four-star defensive lineman Brandon Brown.

A quartet of interior offensive linemen currently round out the class. Port Neches (Texas) Groves three-star IOL Jackson Christian is a top-500 prospect who committed on May 13. Less than two weeks later, he was joined by twin three-stars Jordan and Devin Coleman out of Cedar Hill, Texas. San Fransisco St. Ignatius three-star John Mills is the No. 32 player at the position and pledged on June 24.

Top Texas Offensive Commit: QB K.J. Lacey

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Lacey has stayed strong in his commitment to the Longhorns despite other high-profile programs like Auburn and Alabama keeping in contact. He’s now the No. 118 overall prospect and No. 10 QB in the 2025 cycle.

Lacey updated his commitment status in May at the On3 Elite Series in Nashville:

“I still talk to Coach Sark, Coach Milwee, mostly Coach Milwee…probably three times in a week maybe. The main thing is just me getting on to the recruiting of the players and getting them to come play with me,” Lacey told On3’s Chad Simmons.

“I feel like I have a really strong commitment to Texas right now,” he said. “My commitment is still as strong as it can be, I think I’m in a really good spot with Texas.”

Top Texas Defensive Commit: ATH Lance Jackson

Standing 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Jackson is capable of playing all over the field but is likely to end up on the defensive side of the ball if he were to sign with the Longhorns. He checks in at No. 49 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking and is a top-10 player in Texas.

Jackson told On3’s Hayes Fawcett this upon his commitment to the in-state program:

“I just know they will get me to my full potential. I love the way coach Pete Kwiatkowski and coach Sark coach. Also, I think PK is just a good dude. When my brother was getting recruited by him when he was at Washington it was one of his favorite recruiters as well. I love the town of Austin and just know it’s where I want to be.”