Texas has Top-10 recruiting class after landing third 5-star

After missing out on some key targets to begin the month, Texas picked up an absolutely massive win on the recruiting trail Tuesday, as Lawrenceville (Ga.) Grayson five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson pledged to the Longhorns.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian and Co. have pulled an upset on the in-state Georgia Bulldogs by landing the nation’s No. 1 LB. Atkinson becomes the third five-star in Texas’ 2026 class and gives it a nice boost in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

After adding Atkinson to the mix, Texas moved from No. 14 to No. 9 in the team rankings, leaping Florida State, Miami, Florida, Clemson and Michigan.

The Longhorns were always a contender for the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder, but a late march past Georgia makes for one of the bigger surprises on the trail this cycle. He now forms an elite trio at the top of the class in Austin, alongside five-star quarterback Dia Bell and five-star EDGE Richard Wesley.

“I have made some great connections there for sure,” Atkinson told Rivals after his official visit to Austin — a trip he labeled “eye-opening.” “Coach Sark and the entire staff made me feel like a priority and that I could be a key piece to the defense. I feel really good about Texas, and they are one of my top schools to consider.”

Texas in position to push for another elite recruiting class

The Longhorns managed to nab the top spot in the team rankings last cycle. While defending that crown this winter won’t be easy, Texas is in position to push for top-five status following the addition of Atkinson, the nation’s No. 9 recruit.

He now slots in behind Bell, Rivals’ No. 1 QB and No. 2 overall prospect. The son of ex-NBA guard Raja Bell, Dia has been locked into his Texas pledge since June 17, 2024. He’s been recruiting other top targets heavily and is the lynchpin of the class in Austin.

“Bell showed steady growth throughout his junior season while playing elite competition at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, his second as a varsity starter. He is the most polished passer among the cycle’s top quarterbacks, with clean mechanics and impressive accuracy,” Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote of the gunslinger on Monday.

Wesley’s recruitment took a couple twists and turns this summer. He committed to Oregon in May, but that lasted less than three weeks. Just over a month later, he made the decision to join the Texas class after a big OV to Austin. Wesley is the No. 18 overall prospect and No. 3 EDGE in the cycle.

In addition to Atkinson, 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.

Willis (Texas) four-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr. is another top-100 commitment and one of the biggest in-state wins of the cycle for Sarkisian and his staff. Other blue-chippers in the 19-man class include Birmingham (Ala.) Parker defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland, Monroe (La.) Ouachita Parish DL Dylan Berymon, Petal (Miss.) DL Corey Wells, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek wide receiver Chris Stewart, New Orleans Edna Karr cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. and Spring (Texas) Klein IOL Nicolas Robertson.