Texas Longhorns Continue Recruiting Surge in July with Wave of Elite Commitments Strengthening 2025 Class and National Title Aspirations
In addition to Atkinson, Johnson, and Cooper, July has also brought Texas big commitments from Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley four-star cornerback Jordon Johnson-Rubell and several other high-profile prospects. The month has been nothing short of explosive for Steve Sarkisian and his staff, as the Longhorns continue their aggressive push to assemble one of the most talented and complete recruiting classes in the country. With momentum surging and top prospects buying into the vision in Austin, the Longhorns are not just building for the future—they’re positioning themselves to win now and for years to come.
Recruiting in college football has always been a battle of relationships, vision, and momentum. In July, Texas has showcased all three. The staff’s tireless work on the trail, the program’s upward trajectory in the SEC, and the ever-growing appeal of the Texas brand have come together in perfect harmony. With each commitment, the Longhorns are closing the gap on perennial powers like Georgia and Alabama—not just in perception, but in sheer roster talent.
Jordon Johnson-Rubell’s commitment added a critical piece to the defensive backfield, a position Texas has prioritized heavily in recent cycles. A physical, intelligent, and versatile defensive back, Johnson-Rubell has long been viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the state of Texas—and nationally. His decision to stay home and represent the flagship program carries weight in a state where competition for elite talent is fierce. Johnson-Rubell brings immediate upside, and more importantly, his commitment signals that Texas can go toe-to-toe with any program for elite defensive talent.
But the Longhorns didn’t stop there. They landed four-star linebacker Kendrick Black from Georgia, a rangy, sideline-to-sideline defender who fits perfectly in the SEC mold. Black is the type of player Texas might have lost out on in previous cycles to an SEC powerhouse or Clemson, but not anymore. With Texas now firmly embedded in the SEC landscape, prospects from across the South view Austin as a destination—not just a fallback. That shift in perception is visible in every commitment that’s rolled in over the past month.
Wide receiver recruiting has also hit a new level. The Longhorns secured a commitment from California’s Treyvion Lyons, a speedy, 6-foot-2 wideout with elite body control and home-run ability. Lyons joins an already loaded group of skill-position players Texas is bringing in, and his addition adds even more explosiveness to Sarkisian’s offensive vision. In an era where spacing, speed, and mismatches define high-level offenses, Lyons is exactly the type of player who can become a difference-maker early in his career.
Perhaps the most symbolic commitment of the month came from five-star defensive lineman Zion McKinley out of Florida. McKinley’s pledge to Texas was a direct battle with multiple SEC and Big Ten powers—and the Longhorns won it. McKinley is not only a game-wrecking interior lineman who can dominate at the point of attack, but also a statement to the rest of the college football world: Texas is building a defense that can match its high-powered offense.
This isn’t just a good recruiting month—it’s the kind of foundation that championship rosters are built on. Depth, balance, and national reach are all evident in the 2025 class. Texas isn’t just stockpiling athletes; they’re being strategic in how they build their roster for long-term success. The staff has zeroed in on high-character, high-upside players who fit the team’s evolving identity. The message is clear: they’re not recruiting to compete—they’re recruiting to win national titles.
The recruiting momentum is also a product of consistency from Sarkisian and his staff. Since arriving in Austin, Sarkisian has preached a long-term vision built on culture, development, and elite performance. Now, in his fifth year, recruits and their families can see that vision coming to life. Back-to-back top-five recruiting classes, competitive showings in the SEC, and a clear pipeline to the NFL have made Texas one of the most attractive programs in the country.
Another critical factor has been the Longhorns’ aggressive approach to NIL. Through strong institutional support and donor-driven collectives, Texas has positioned itself as a leader in this new era of college athletics. Recruits are not just promised exposure and tradition—they’re given real resources to build their personal brand and secure their financial future. That combination of old-school prestige and new-age opportunity has made Texas a destination for elite talent coast to coast.
July’s surge of commitments also sets Texas up for a strong close. With several more blue-chip prospects set to announce in the coming weeks, the Longhorns could realistically finish with the No. 1 class in the country. If they do, it would be the first time since 2002—a monumental achievement that reflects just how far the program has come under Sarkisian’s leadership.
But recruiting isn’t just about rankings—it’s about building a roster that can win in the postseason. That means filling out the trenches, creating depth at key positions, and stacking years of talent. Texas is finally doing that. The 2023 and 2024 classes laid the foundation, and 2025 is now shaping up as the class that puts Texas over the top.
It also reflects a level of national credibility that Texas hasn’t consistently had in nearly two decades. For years, the Longhorns dominated in-state recruiting but struggled to make serious inroads nationally. Now, they’re landing players from California, Georgia, Florida, and Ohio. The brand is resonating beyond state lines again—and it’s not just because of tradition. Recruits are seeing wins, watching development, and believing they can achieve their goals in Austin.
The staff’s evaluation ability has also improved. They’re not just chasing stars—they’re identifying early and building meaningful relationships. Defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, and defensive line coach Bo Davis have all played pivotal roles in this July wave. Their connections, eye for talent, and ability to close have helped Texas win battles it may have lost just a few years ago.
Another critical aspect is positional balance. The 2025 class doesn’t lean too heavily on one area—it’s loaded across the board. Elite linemen, game-breaking skill players, linebackers with range and instincts, defensive backs who can cover and hit—this is the profile of a title-contending roster. And with a strong quarterback pipeline already in place, Texas isn’t recruiting from desperation—they’re recruiting from strength.
Momentum is a fragile thing in college football, but right now, Texas has it. July has been more than a hot month—it’s been a signal to the rest of the sport that the Longhorns aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to win. And they’re building the kind of class that can sustain excellence, not just spike it.
As fall camp approaches, the focus will return to the field. But what Texas has done off the field this summer can’t be overstated. The 2025 class is shaping up to be a transformative group—one that combines top-end talent with SEC readiness and future star power. With each commitment, the vision becomes clearer: Texas isn’t chasing success. They’re preparing to own it.
The championship window is wide open. And thanks to July’s recruiting haul, the Longhorns may finally have the roster to climb through it.
