Texas Longhorns Suffer Another Major Recruiting Blow as Top Offensive Tackle Eyes Rival Program for 2025
The Texas Longhorns’ recruiting ambitions took another unexpected hit this week as signs increasingly point to the program missing out on one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 class. Four-star standout Darnell Evans, a dominant lineman out of Cedar Hill, Texas, has long been considered a priority target for the Longhorns’ coaching staff. However, momentum has begun shifting toward rival SEC programs, and industry insiders are now projecting that Texas is likely to lose out on the in-state star.
Evans, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound powerhouse with elite footwork and strength, has been on Texas’ radar since his sophomore year. He quickly rose through the recruiting ranks with stellar performances at camps and strong game film that showcased his ability to dominate both in pass protection and the run game. His physicality, high motor, and understanding of the game have drawn comparisons to recent first-round NFL draft picks. For the Longhorns, landing a player of his caliber was seen as essential for maintaining momentum heading into the SEC and continuing to build one of the most formidable offensive lines in the country.
Unfortunately for Texas, the tide began to turn earlier this summer when Evans took unofficial visits to several SEC powerhouses, including Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. While he’s kept his cards close to the chest in terms of public comments, sources close to his recruitment have noted that he came away particularly impressed with Georgia’s player development program and Alabama’s legacy of producing NFL-ready linemen. This has led major recruiting services like On3 and 247Sports to shift their predictions away from Texas and toward Georgia, with Alabama still considered a strong contender.
For Texas fans and the coaching staff, this development is frustrating but not entirely surprising. Recruiting offensive linemen in the current college football landscape is a brutal, hyper-competitive process. With NIL opportunities, elite coaching reputations, and consistent national championship contention factoring into many players’ decisions, even top-tier programs like Texas are finding it increasingly difficult to lock down elite in-state talent. What makes this situation sting even more for Texas is that Evans grew up just 30 minutes from the Longhorns’ campus and has deep ties to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — a region the staff has worked hard to dominate in recruiting.
Losing out on Evans would represent more than just the loss of a single recruit. It would reflect a broader struggle for the Longhorns to keep elite in-state talent home. This comes at a time when Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama are all making significant recruiting inroads in the state of Texas. The Longhorns have already seen multiple top-100 players opt to leave the state this cycle, and while head coach Steve Sarkisian has emphasized his confidence in the program’s long-term vision, fans are understandably concerned about losing traction with the 2025 class.
The coaching staff has not remained idle in the face of this setback. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood has continued to pursue other top-tier targets, both nationally and in Texas. Among them are five-star offensive tackle Mason Douglas from California and four-star prospect Kendric Williams out of Florida, both of whom have visited Austin and spoken highly of the program. However, landing either of those players is no sure thing, especially with national powers like Ohio State, Michigan, and USC also involved.
There’s also the issue of perception. Texas made headlines with the commitment of quarterback Arch Manning and several other high-profile signees in recent cycles. However, missing out on key trench players — especially homegrown ones like Evans — can erode the image of momentum the program has worked so hard to build. For offensive linemen in particular, the ability to work with elite coaches, be protected by a deep supporting cast, and develop into NFL-ready talent often outweighs regional loyalty or even school legacy.
Evans has not publicly set a commitment date, but sources suggest that an announcement could come before the start of his senior season this fall. His decision will likely come down to a combination of NIL potential, program stability, and development track record. Georgia holds a clear advantage in the latter category, boasting a recent history of offensive linemen going in the first round of the NFL Draft, including Broderick Jones and Isaiah Wynn. Alabama, too, offers a well-established development path under Nick Saban’s staff, even with the recent coaching transition.
Texas, for all its resources and the prestige of moving into the SEC, has struggled to shake its reputation as an underachiever in the trenches. While the team has shown signs of life — with a solid 2024 recruiting class and a strong finish to the 2023 season — that inconsistency continues to haunt the program on the recruiting trail. Until Texas can show year-over-year stability and dominance against SEC competition, it may struggle to keep blue-chip linemen like Evans in the fold.
Evans’ high school coach, speaking anonymously, praised Texas but hinted that the decision might already be leaning out-of-state. “Texas has done a great job recruiting him, and they’ve made a strong case,” the coach said. “But these kids are looking at the full picture now — development, exposure, championships. It’s not just about staying close to home.”
Even if Evans does ultimately choose Georgia or Alabama, Texas still has time to salvage the cycle. The Longhorns have made the offensive line a priority, and there are several uncommitted targets on the board who could develop into difference-makers at the next level. Furthermore, the transfer portal remains a powerful tool, and Texas has already benefited from experienced linemen transferring in over the past two seasons. However, there’s no replacing a potential four-year starter like Evans — especially when he could have been the anchor of an SEC-ready line.
Looking ahead, the Longhorns will need to double down on their recruiting efforts and build off any on-field success this fall. A strong season could help sway remaining undecided recruits and potentially reopen doors with players like Evans who haven’t yet finalized their plans. But if the 2025 cycle continues trending in the current direction, it may serve as a wake-up call for the program’s recruiting strategy, particularly in keeping elite local talent from being poached by national powers.
For now, Texas fans will have to wait and see — and perhaps brace for disappointment. If Darnell Evans commits elsewhere, it won’t just be a loss of a key player. It will be a reminder that recruiting in the SEC era requires more than just tradition and proximity. It requires results, consistency, and a national approach. Whether the Longhorns are fully ready for that challenge remains to be seen.
