2026 4-star safety Zelus Hicks commits to Texas: 'It is a perfect match'

Carrollton (Ga.) safety Zelus Hicks took his first visit to Austin in June and he left with Texas as his top school. The Longhorns came in with an offer during the spring evaluation period, they got the No. 33 prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking on campus, they built relationships quickly and the four-star has committed to the Longhorns.

“Things moved quickly with Texas,” Hicks told On3. “They came out in the spring and offered, they came heavy after me, and after that visit, I felt great about Texas. I liked the school, I meshed with coach Blake Gideon, they just kept applying pressure like no other school and I made my decision.

“They tell me I am No. 1 on their board and they are No. 1 on my board, so it is a perfect match. Me and my dad have been talking about it and I made my decision earlier this week.”

Texas beat out some top programs for Hicks

Hicks had plenty of other options. Georgia offered him first a couple of years ago. Schools like Auburn, Clemson and Ohio State have been on his radar too. Texas just has everything he is looking for.

“Texas is a top program. I want to be an impactful player that is competing for championships at a top program like Texas. They are elite with elite players. I can come in, make an impact and help the program keep winning.

“And I get to play for great coaches. Development under coach Gideon was big in my decision. He has done what I want to do before. He has been in my position, he played at Texas, so he knows what it takes.

“The relationships with the Texas coaches was a big factor too. Coach Gideon, coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) and the whole defensive staff has gotten to know me. The environment was the other thing. My family and I like Texas a lot. My aunt lives in Texas, so it is a great place for me and my family to be.”

Hicks is the third 2026 recruit to commit to Texas. He has discussed the possibility of reclassifying to 2025, but that decision has not been finalized yet.

Coach Gideon was a big factor in Hicks’ commitment to Texas

Gideon quickly established a relationship with Hicks. The two stayed in contact after the offer was presented and that, his knowledge and coaching style all helped Texas land the commitment.

“I like coach Gideon a lot,” Hicks said. “It was great working with him when I was out there in June. He has a great coaching style and we just quickly meshed together. He played at Texas, he knows what it is like to be a player there and he knows what it takes to be successful.

“When I worked out with him at camp, he gave me great tips, he was always trying to help me and it was great working with him. I saw our connection and getting that coaching from him for three years, I can be a crazy athlete in the NFL.”

Sarkisian made Hicks feel like a priority

Gideon was the leader, but Sarkisian was involved in Hicks’ recruitment as well.

“It meant a lot for coach Sark to recruit me the way he did,” Hicks said. “He is a chill guy, easy to talk to and he is not one of those head coaches that is stuck up that doesn’t know his players. Coach Sark knows his guys. He has real relationships with his players and he really got to know me.

“He talked to me a lot and it meant a lot that he recruited me. Coach Sark made me feel wanted. He is a great coach with a top program and it was a great fit.”