Texas took a hit on Thursday when four-star defensive back Karnell “Greedy” James officially flipped his commitment to LSU.
James had been pledged to the Longhorns since December, but the momentum had been building toward Baton Rouge for weeks. Earlier this week, he said he would be re-announcing his commitment between Texas, LSU and Notre Dame, and that was enough to make the outcome feel pretty clear.
Now James is part of LSU’s elite 2027 class, and he’s already looking to bring more talent with him. The biggest name on that list is one Texas fans know well: five-star wide receiver commit Easton Royal.
Speaking to 247Sports right after his LSU commitment, James said he’s already talking with Royal about making the same move.
"My dog Easton Royal, for sure. We've already been talking,"
Royal, the No. 2 wide receiver in the class, has been committed to Texas since November, but he’s also been open about how difficult the recruitment has been with LSU and Florida pushing hard. A standout from Brother Martin in New Orleans, he’s still weighing whether to stay with Texas or flip closer to home with LSU.
He made note of James’ decision too, reposting the news on Instagram. Royal has consistently shown attention to all three of his finalists during the process, but this latest development could give LSU a real edge.
James and Royal were two of Texas’ earliest commitments in the 2027 class, so the Longhorns now face the possibility of losing both. Texas had a strong June on the recruiting trail with several commitments, but that momentum would take a serious hit if Royal follows James to LSU.
If that happens, Texas would need to pivot quickly and go after No. 1 wide receiver Monshun Sales, who has already visited Austin twice this offseason.
In Other News...
Texas Suddenly Have Real Pressure In Fight For Elite In-State Recruit
The race for Marcus Spears Jr. has taken on a more urgent feel for Texas after Kentucky coach Mark Pope made the 2027 top-ranked recruit a priority at the recent TABC Showcase in Duncanville. Spears, a Plano native with the kind of versatility that has schools projecting big things down the line, has long looked like the sort of in-state talent the Longhorns would need to keep close, especially with a national list of suitors circling.
Sean Millers staff has been viewed as the one to beat in this recruitment, but Popes push is a reminder that the fight is far from settled. LSU, Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas remain involved, and the longer this turns into a broader SEC-and-beyond battle, the more Texas has to protect its position on a player many believe could develop into an NBA-caliber prospect. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Finally Has An Answer For Last Seasons Pass Defense Collapse
Texas spent last season watching its pass defense slide in a way that was hard to ignore, and the response has been just as clear. The Longhorns have gone into recruiting mode with purpose, leaning hard into a defensive back class that is meant to steady the back end and restore some of the confidence that was lost when opposing quarterbacks found too much room to work.
The headliner is Fort Worth cornerback John Meredith, a major pull for the program, and he is part of a group that keeps getting stronger. Texas has also added Sherrard, Jackson from Garland, and a safety out of Alabama, giving the staff multiple pieces to reshape the secondary. The bigger question now is whether this wave of commitments is the start of a real fix or just the first step toward one. [Read more 🡒]