How to follow Texas recruiting news on Early Signing Day

After the program’s first conference championship since 2009 and first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns were able to put together another top-notch recruiting class in the 2025 cycle with the help of another superlative season on the gridiron this fall.

Heading into Early Signing Day on Wednesday, the Longhorns have the fourth-best recruiting class in the country with 23 commitments facing major decisions from Oklahoma offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, Alamo Heights athlete Michael Terry, defensive lineman Justus Terry, edge Javion Hilson and linebacker Kellen Wiley.

Signing Wiley and Michael Terry, the most likely scenario, would help fill a linebacker need and add another jumbo athlete to Sarkisian’s offense after the season-ending injury suffered by CJ Baxter in the preseason. Camp is particularly lacking in physical presence as a running back.

Among Wednesday’s commitments, Texas has three consensus five-star prospects who were verbally committed in the class – Galveton ball safety Jonah Williams, Sachse wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and Pleasant Grove edge Landon Jackson. It’s a strong group with a number of versatile athletes, but signing Fasusi would fill the need for an elite offensive tackle who can potentially contribute early, with the possibility of left tackle Kelvin Banks and right tackle Kelvin Banks joining the team Tackle Cameron Williams both declared early for the 2025 NFL draft.

Commits

• Saraland (Ala.) quarterback KJ Lacey
• Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist Academy running back James Simon
• Tyler Chape Hill running back Rickey Stewart
• Sachse wide receiver Kaliq Lockett
• Jacksonville (Florida) Mandarin wide receiver Jaime Ffrench
• Lucas Lovejoy wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon
• Spring Dekaney tight end Nick Townsend
• Calhoun (Ga.) tight end Emaree Winston
• Loganville (Ga.) Grayson tackles Nick Brooks on offense
• Port Neches-Groves offensive lineman Jackson Christian
• Cedar Hill offensive lineman Jordan Coleman
• Cedar Hill offensive lineman Devin Coleman
• Pleasant Grove Edge Lance Jackson
• Alief Hastings beats Smith Orogbo
• Port Charlotte (Florida) defensive tackle Myron Charles
• Folson (California) defends Josiah Sharma
• Dallas Skyline linebacker Elijah Barnes
• Fort Worth Crowley linebacker Jonathon Cunningham
• Galveston ball safety Jonah Williams
• Carrollton (Ga.) safety Zelus Hicks
• Fort Bend Hightower defenseman Kade Phillips
• Tampa (Florida) Wiregrass Ranch cornerback Graceson Littleton
• Fort Bend Marshall cornerback Caleb Chester

Announcements

• Terry is one of the best uncommitted candidates in the country and will make it notice at 8:15 p.m. Central between Nebraska, Oregon and Texas, with the Longhorns the long-time favorite.
• A decision won’t come nearly as early as Michael Fasusi, a five-star offensive lineman from Lewisville, transferred to Oklahoma in August but took late official visits to Texas and Texas A&M. How much will the instability of the offensive coaching staff in Norman impact the No. 13 team in the country? Maybe not much, since offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh appears set to return. Fasusi is expected to sign at 2 p.m. Central.
• Seffna (Fla.) Armwood product Kellen Wiley is expected to announce at 10 a.m. Central, choosing between Louisville, Maryland and Texas. The Longhorns are the favorites.
• When Cocoa (Florida) standout Javion Hilson decommitted from Florida State in September, Texas seemed his likely destination, but Missouri is late in his recruitment as excitement surrounding the Longhorns has waned. It is not clear when Hilson will make his decision.
• The longest wait is for Justus Terry, the defensive lineman from Georgia who is ranked 10th nationally and will decide by Friday between Georgia, where he was previously committed, Texas, which was a late mover, Auburn, Alabama and Florida State. The Bulldogs have the advantage of re-signing the 6-foot-1, 275-pounder.