Texas trending for 4-star RB Rickey Stewart Jr. after SMU decommitment

Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr. decommitted from SMU on Wednesday, and the Texas Longhorns have quickly become the team to beat.

He was pledged to the Mustangs since June 11 over the likes Oregon, Michigan, Alabama and the Longhorns. Stewart, however, wanted to re-evaluate his options and chose to reopen his recruitment.

“I am thankful for SMU offering me a chance to be a part of their program, but I need to take more time to focus on making the best decision for my future, therefore I am opening up my commitment,” Stewart wrote. “SMU is a great school with great potential for me to reach my success, but I want to weigh my options with heavy thought. With that being said I will be announcing my decommitment from SMU. Thank you for respecting my decision at this time.”

Soon after Stewart’s decision, SMU recruiting insider Billy Embody logged a pick in favor of the Longhorns to land the coveted running back.

Stewart’s Texas visit has pushed the Longhorns to the top

He was recently offered by Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice, who has quickly made a strong impression on him.

Stewart was in Austin for a loaded Junior Day in January as the Longhorns look to pick up momentum in his recruitment.

“It was really exciting being here today, a real experience I’ve never felt before,” Stewart told Inside Texas after the visit. “I was too happy when I got the offer. Coach Sark and Coach Choice, they are great coaches. Two coaches that I’m building a real bond with. I’m learning more than just football, but being a great person.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Stewart is the No. 282 overall prospect and No. 22 tailback in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 51 player in Texas.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power has had high praise for the Lone Star State prospect.

“He’s at his best as an outside, one-cut perimeter runner,” Power said. “I can see him being very good in the zone blocking scheme. He’s a guy who is a slasher, gets downhill quickly and hits the hole and has the play speed to pull away from the defenses they’re facing.

… He shows good contact balance as well, which is encouraging and something we look at with running backs. He runs through arm tackles, maximizes his yardage and I think it shows up on the film and the stat sheet.”