What happened to players who decommitted from Texas, Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian‘s tenure as head coach of the Longhorns has been filled with success in the high school and transfer portal recruiting markets. Still, there are some prospects who elect to step back from their public commitments to Texas and start the search for a new program.

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Across Sarkisian’s three-plus calendar years as head coach, 16 prospects have decommitted from the Longhorns. What became of them after they decided Texas wasn’t the place for them?

2022

Ronald Lewis, S, New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton

Eventual landing spot: TCU

Current school: Tulsa

Lewis committed to Texas in August of 2021, flipping from Colorado. It took until just before the second signing day in 2022, but TCU’s efforts recruiting the On3 Industry Ranking three star paid off in late January after waning Texas interest. Lewis entered the portal during the most recent window and committed to Tulsa.

Armani Winfield, WR, Lewisville (Texas)

Eventual landing spot: Baylor

Current school: Colorado State

Winfield committed to Texas when Sarkisian, as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in the College Football Playoff, was cooking Ohio State. He decommitted from the Longhorns in the middle of their game against Kansas State in 2021. After a short stint at Baylor, Winfield will play for one of Texas’ 2024 opponents in Colorado State.

Anthony Jones, ATH, Las Vegas (Nev.) Liberty

Eventual landing spot: Oregon

Current school: Michigan State

Jones tallied one tackle at Oregon before heading to Indiana. He spent one year in Bloomington before committing to Michigan State in April.

Kobie McKinzie, LB, Lubbock (Texas) Cooper

Eventual landing spot: Oklahoma

Current school: Oklahoma

McKinzie, a longtime Sooner commit, flipped to Texas in December of 2021 then flipped back to OU a week later.

Eoghan Kerry, LB, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei

Eventual landing spot: Colorado

Current school: Colorado, no longer on the roster

Kerry was not kept around by Deion Sanders and does not appear to be in football any longer.

Evan Stewart, WR, Frisco (Texas) Liberty

Eventual landing spot: Texas A&M

Current school: Oregon

Stewart committed near midnight in the middle of February 2021 and decommitted less than a month later. He had two solid seasons with Texas A&M before entering the portal and joining the Ducks’ roster ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Jamarion Miller, RB, Tyler (Texas) Legacy

Eventual landing spot: Alabama

Current school: Alabama

The Alabama offer was too good for Miller to pass up. He remains in Tuscaloosa and will be a key cog in the Crimson Tide’s 2024 offense.

2023

Dylan Spencer, DL, Houston (Texas) C.E. King

Eventual landing spot: Texas Tech

Current school: Texas Tech

Spencer played in eight games during the 2023 season and tallied four tackles for the Red Raiders.

Jamel Johnson, S, Arlington (Texas) Seguin

Eventual landing spot: TCU

Current school: TCU

Johnson committed to Texas in November of 2021 and stayed with the Longhorns for about a year until decommitting. An official visit to TCU resulted in him joining the Horned Frogs’ roster. He played in 10 games in 2023 with 19 tackles.

Rueben Owens, RB, El Campo (Texas)

Eventual landing spot: Texas A&M

Current school: Texas A&M

“The Black Unicorn” committed to Texas in February of 2021 and stuck with Texas through June. Then just before signing day in 2022, Owens committed to Texas A&M after a previous pledge to Louisville. He’s likely to be the Aggies’ RB1 this season.

Jonah Wilson, WR, Spring (Texas) Dekaney

Eventual landing spot: Houston

Current school: Houston

A four-month commitment ended in 2022 when Wilson backed away from his UT verbal and committed to the hometown Cougars. He had one touchdown reception during his freshman year on Cullen Blvd.

2024

D’antre Robinson, DL, Orlando (Fla.) Jones

Eventual landing spot: Florida

Current school: Florida

Texas won out for the Sunshine State prospect but after Bo Davis left for LSU, Robinson asked to be let go from his letter of intent and signed with Florida shortly thereafter.

Aeryn Hampton, WR, Daingerfield (Texas)

Eventual landing spot: Alabama

Current school: Alabama

Hampton’s final commitment proved to be the one that stuck. Texas earned not just one but two different commitments from Hampton but efforts from Bama got the East Texas product to Tuscaloosa.

Jaden Allen, DB, Aledo (Texas)

Eventual landing spot: Arkansas

Current school: Arkansas

Allen committed to Texas in December of 2021 in order to play with his brother, BJ Allen, at Texas. Once it was clear BJ Allen wasn’t going to be a part of the UT roster going forward, Jaden opened up his options. He committed to Arkansas in April of 2023.

Hunter Moddon, CB, Houston (Texas) Clear Lake

Eventual landing spot: ???

Current school: ???

Moddon fell off the map after decommitting from Texas in June of 2023. It’s not clear whether he is playing college football.

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2025

Anthony Williams, LB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek

Eventual landing spot: TCU

After Johnny Nansen arrived on the 40 Acres, communication fell off between Williams and the Longhorns. Williams decommitted and chose to continue his career at TCU earlier this spring.