Texas Longhorns continue climb toward nation's No. 1 class

Since coming to Texas in 2021, Steve Sarkisian has built back-to-back-to-back-to-back elite recruiting classes, including the No. 1 overall class in the Rivals Industry Football Team Rankings last year.

That group included 5 five-stars and 18 blue-chippers in total, as the Longhorns beat out Georgia, Oregon, Alabama and Ohio State for top dog status. Heading into the 2026 cycle, it will be tough to top that. But the ‘Horns are closing in on some of the top classes in the country — and quickly.

Over the course of 24 hours on July 15, they landed a pair of five-stars. Before noontime, Grayson (Ga.) linebacker Tyler Atkinson chose the Longhorns over in-state Georgia on the Pat McAfee Show. Less than six hours later, Sarkisian took another one off of Kirby Smart, flipping Rivals five-star defensive lineman James Johnson. The latter had only been committed to UGA for 2 1/2 weeks.

Their hot streak continued on July 20 when they beat out the Bulldogs, as well as Miami and Florida State for elite running back Derrek Cooper out of Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.). His addition gives UT three of the top eight prospects in Florida this cycle, as they continue to make waves in the Sunshine State. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) five-star quarterback Dia Bell is one of the leaders of the class and a huge selling point for other prospects, especially on offense. His south Florida connection to Cooper definitely didn’t hurt Texas’ chances.

The class now ranks No. 4 nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

In addition to Atkinson, Johnson and Cooper, July has also brought Texas big commitments from Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley four-star interior offensive lineman John Turntine, Huntersville (N.C.) William Amos Hough four-star cornerback Samari Matthews and Katy (Texas) Mayde Creek four-star linebacker Kosi Okpala. Turntine is the nation’s No. 2 IOL, while Matthews checks in as the No. 14 CB, and Okpala is the No. 18 LB.

For the full class breakdown, scroll below:

Texas Longhorns commitments by position

Quarterback
Five-star Dia Bell, No. 4 NATL. (No. 1 QB)

Running back
Four-star Derrek Cooper, No. 37 NATL. (No. 2 RB)

Wide receiver
Four-star Chris Stewart, No. 252 NATL. (No. 45 WR)
Three-star Kohen Brown, No. 589 NATL. (No. 93 WR)

Offensive tackle
Three-star Max Wright, No. 429 NATL. (No. 34 OT)

Interior offensive linemen
Four-star John Turntine, No. 53 NATL. (No. 2 IOL)
Four-star Nicolas Robertson, No. 401 NATL. (No. 38 IOL)

Defensive line
Five-star James Johnson, No. 42 NATL. (No. 1 DL)
Four-star Vodney Cleveland, No. 143 NATL. (No. 16 DL)
Four-star Dylan Berymon, No. 209 NATL. (No. 22 DL)
Four-star Corey Wells, No. 271 NATL. (No. 31 DL)

EDGE
Five-star Richard Wesley, No. 19 NATL. (No. 3 EDGE)

Linebacker
Five-star Tyler Atkinson, No. 9 NATL. (No. 1 LB)
Four-star Kosi Okpala, No. 287 NATL. (No. 18 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Samari Matthews, No. 105 NATL. (No. 14 CB)
Four-star Hayward Howard Jr., No. 340 NATL. (No. 32 CB)

Safety
Three-star Yaheim Riley, No. 1,014 NATL. (No. 91 S)

Athlete
Four-star Jermaine Bishop Jr., No. 70 NATL. (No. 5 ATH)

Specialists
LS Trott O’Neal
P Mikey Bukauskas
K Jake Collett