Texas secures nation's No. 1 recruiting class as Early Signing Period closes

For the first time in the modern football recruiting era, the Texas Longhorns hold the nation’s No. 1 class after the completion of the signing period.

After beating out Georgia and Auburn for Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Justus Terry, Texas has taken a commanding lead On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. And as it stands today, neither is expected to add any more commitments before the end of the period on Friday.

In total the Longhorns have 25 commitments, 18 of whom rank as blue-chip (four- and five-star) prospects. Four of those are five-stars — ranked among the nation’s top 32 prospects. Terry (No. 9) and Five-Star Plus+ safety Jonah Williams (No. 11) lead the way. They’re flanked by EDGE Lance Jackson (No. 25) and WR Kaliq Lockett (No. 30).

Texas also has two borderline five-stars signed in cornerback Kade Phillips (No. 34) and WR Jaime Ffrench (No. 35). The nation’s No. 1 athlete, Michael Terry III, rounds out the list of six top-50 signees in the class, checking in at No. 44 overall.

Sixty-three percent of Texas’ signees hail from the Lone Star State, a slight jump from the 2024 class when 59 percent came from inside the borders.

The class is Steve Sarkisian’s fourth full one since he took over in Austin. And each has ranked among the top 6 nationally, with a top-three finish in 2023 being the previous highest. Texas has finished as high as No. 2 on multiple occasions in previous years, but if they can hold on through the end of the cycle in February, it will be their first No. 1 class in more than two decades.

Other notable additions for the Longhorns this cycle

On top of the six prospects ranked among the top 50, the Longhorns signed four more who check in among the nation’s top 100.

Four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes (No. 56) was one of the earlier commitments in the class, joining the fold on April 12. Four-star EDGE Smith Orogbo (No. 83) gave his pledge on July 1 and is a borderline five-star in On3’s own rankings. Tampa (Fla.) Wiregrass cornerback Graceson Littleton (No. 67) chose Texas over Michigan after decommitting from Clemson earlier this fall. And despite a late push from Florida, four-star defensive lineman Myron Charles (No. 96) stuck with UT after pledging in September.

Spring (Texas) Dekaney tight end Nick Townsend is one of the more dynamic athletes in the entire class, and wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon could be a player who sees early snaps next season after flipping from Florida State.

The ‘Horns also signed four-star running back James Simon out of Louisiana, blue-chip passer K.J. Lacey out of Alabama, and four-stars Zelus Hicks and Nick Brooks out of Georgia.

If there was any doubt that this program could recruit in SEC Country, this cycle will finally put it to rest.

For full grades of the class and the latest Texas recruiting news and intel, check out InsideTexas.com.