Top 10 Recruiting Flips of the Steve Sarkisian Era at Texas That Changed the Longhorns’ Trajectory in the Modern Recruiting Wars
When Steve Sarkisian arrived in Austin, he brought with him not just a creative offensive mind and championship pedigree, but also a promise: to make Texas football a national contender again through relentless recruiting. Since his hire in January 2021, Sarkisian and his staff have overhauled the Longhorns’ approach to talent acquisition. And one of the most powerful weapons in that transformation has been their ability to flip high-profile recruits—players who were previously committed to other schools—into the burnt orange fold. These flips have often been statement moves, signaling Texas’s renewed pull on the national stage.
Horns247 recently took a deep dive into the most impactful recruiting flips during the Sarkisian era, spotlighting 10 names (in no specific order) who helped change the trajectory of the program. These players weren’t just talented prospects; they were symbols of momentum, credibility, and vision. Their decisions to change allegiances and join Texas under Sarkisian helped reshape the team’s culture, future depth charts, and public perception in the recruiting world.
Flipping a recruit is no small feat. It means overcoming relationships, convincing families, and presenting a compelling enough pitch to make a player walk away from a decision they once believed in. For Texas to do that repeatedly—and often against recruiting powerhouses like Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and LSU—shows just how potent the Sarkisian era has become. These flips weren’t just wins on paper; they were declarations of intent.
One of the most talked-about flips under Sark was Terrance Brooks, a highly-touted cornerback who originally committed to Ohio State in the 2022 class. Hailing from Little Elm, Texas, Brooks was a top-100 national prospect and considered a future NFL-caliber cover man. Flipping him from the Buckeyes wasn’t just a win in terms of talent—it was Texas asserting that elite in-state players didn’t need to leave the state to chase championships or development. Brooks has already become a key piece in Texas’s defensive secondary and exemplifies the value of keeping elite talent home.
Another high-impact flip came in the form of Isaiah Neyor, the Wyoming transfer wide receiver who originally committed to Tennessee before switching to Texas in the portal process. While Neyor’s injury delayed his impact on the field, the flip itself was massive in the context of Sarkisian’s vision. It signaled Texas’s aggressive presence in the transfer portal and their ability to pivot quickly to acquire top-tier talent. Neyor had been one of the most coveted transfer receivers in the country, and flipping him from a rising SEC power like Tennessee sent a strong message.
Perhaps no flip was more emotionally charged than Xavier Worthy, who originally committed to Michigan. After a complicated recruitment during the COVID period and eligibility issues, Worthy flipped to Texas and became a freshman All-American almost instantly. His blazing speed and big-play ability turned heads nationwide and gave Sarkisian the kind of playmaker he could build an offense around. Worthy’s flip wasn’t just a win on the recruiting trail—it provided a spark that helped redefine the Longhorn offense during a transitional period.
On the defensive line, Justice Finkley was a crucial addition. Originally leaning toward Alabama for most of his recruitment, the Colorado native was considered a strong Crimson Tide lean before Texas made a late push. Sarkisian and DL coach Bo Davis impressed the Finkley family with a combination of academics, player development, and vision for his role in the program. Flipping Finkley was more than a battle against Alabama—it was evidence that Texas could go national and win, even in Nick Saban’s backyard.
One of the more stunning flips in terms of shock factor was Kelvin Banks Jr., the five-star offensive tackle from Humble, Texas. Initially committed to Oregon, Banks flipped to Texas after Mario Cristobal left for Miami. While some circumstances opened the door, it was Sarkisian’s relentless pursuit—and a strong push from OL coach Kyle Flood—that sealed the deal. Banks has since become one of the best young linemen in the country, and his commitment helped anchor what would become a top-five offensive line haul for the Horns.
Another name that made major waves was Jahleel Billingsley, a former Alabama tight end who transferred to Texas. While technically a portal flip, Billingsley followed Sarkisian from Tuscaloosa to Austin. The familiarity and trust between coach and player played a big role, but it also symbolized how much players believed in Sark’s vision. While Billingsley’s on-field impact at Texas was limited, his decision to follow Sark helped validate the coach’s player relationships and appeal.
The flip of Ryan Niblett, a speedy wide receiver from Aldine Eisenhower, was another major get for Sark and WR coach Brennan Marion. Niblett had leaned toward schools like Houston and Texas A&M early, but Texas’s ability to close the deal reflected the momentum the program had developed in the Houston area—a critical recruiting battleground. Niblett’s elite speed and versatility made him a priority target, and flipping him secured another dynamic weapon for the Longhorns’ offense.
In the trenches, DJ Campbell, one of the nation’s top interior offensive linemen, was a significant flip from Oklahoma’s radar. Campbell was heavily pursued by the Sooners and had strong ties to programs across the Big 12. Texas’s win in that recruitment gave further credibility to Kyle Flood’s offensive line rebuild, which has since become one of the core strengths of the roster. Campbell’s commitment added size, strength, and depth to a unit that had long underperformed prior to Sarkisian’s arrival.
A more recent and impressive flip was Peyton Kirkland, a massive offensive tackle from Florida. Originally committed to Michigan State, Kirkland shocked the recruiting world by flipping to Texas. Pulling a blue-chip lineman out of SEC/Big Ten territory represented another leap forward for Texas’s national brand under Sark. The Longhorns’ ability to pitch player development, NIL opportunities, and early playing time was clearly effective in convincing Kirkland to change course.
Lastly, Colton Vasek, a four-star edge rusher from Austin Westlake, made headlines when he flipped from Oklahoma to Texas. This one carried local pride and rivalry implications. Vasek grew up in a split household, with OU ties strong in his family. But Sarkisian’s staff, led by Pete Kwiatkowski and Bo Davis, stayed patient and persistent. The flip not only brought a rising pass rusher into the fold, it also sent a clear message: Texas could now win head-to-head recruiting battles against its fiercest rivals—even in emotionally charged scenarios.
Each of these flips came with unique storylines, but together they tell a larger story of Texas football’s resurgence under Steve Sarkisian. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, and the ability to flip a player shows that a coaching staff can build trust quickly, overcome existing relationships, and sell a vision that resonates. It’s one thing to identify talent—it’s another to bring it home when the odds are stacked against you.
Sarkisian’s success flipping recruits has helped Texas rapidly rebuild a roster that now competes with the best in the nation. The Longhorns’ recent top-three recruiting classes and College Football Playoff appearance have reinforced that these early recruiting wins were not flukes—they were building blocks. Texas is now not just a destination school again; it’s a recruiting force to be reckoned with.
In the ultra-competitive world of college football recruiting, flips are game-changers. And under Sarkisian, Texas has become a program that not only targets elite talent—it takes it.
