4-star LB Elijah Barnes commits to Texas Longhorns

Dallas Skyline four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes has committed to Texas.

He chose the Longhorns while also holding offers from the likes of Florida State, Texas A&M, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Auburn and more.

Barnes is the No. 108 overall prospect and No. 14 LB 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. 19 player in Texas.

For more Texas recruiting intel, check out InsideTexas.

The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pounder has been a frequent visitor on The Forty Acres. After tripping last June, he made multiple game visits in the fall and returned for a Junior Day visit in late January this year, as well a trip earlier this month. Co-defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen led UT’s charge for Barnes — who becomes the latest in-state commit for Steve Sarkisian and Co.

“It was a lot of good things at Texas, I really enjoyed it down there like I always do,” Barnes told On3 after his January visit. “I’ve been down there the most — to games there — and it was a great experience to be back down there and be around the new staff. They’re great all-around.”

“Talking to Coach Nansen was great, he knows what he’s doing and he knows a lot about the game and he can teach you a lot about the game of football,” he continued. “I liked how he’s a real genuine guy, a cool guy, down-to-earth guy, and that was cooling talking to him and Sark.”

Texas Class Breakdown

Barnes becomes the sixth member of Texas’ 2025 recruiting class and is third highest-ranked pledge in the fold. The class now ranks No. 7 in the nation and No. 3 in the SEC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The class was kicked off with a bang back in June, as Saraland (Ala.) four-star quarterback K.J. Lacey pledged to the Longhorns. The gunslinger has continued to rise in the On3 Industry Ranking and now checks in as a top-10 player at his position.

“So some of the main things that stood out to me about Texas were how much they value relationships,” Lacey told On3 upon his commitment. “What coach Sark and coach Milwee preached to me was that they don’t just offer quarterbacks because they are talented. They also want to know what type of person you are towards your teammates and peers and see if the leadership role comes to you naturally or not.

Lacey has since been flanked by four others since December. Calhoun (Ga.) four-star tight end Emaree Winston and Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie four-star defensive lineman Brandon Brown committed to UT on back-to-back days.

Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove four-star athlete Lance Jackson pledged in January to add some in-state defensive flair to the pledge list in Austin. Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr. is also a new addition to the class, as the former SMU pledge committed to the Longhorns in early April.