When playoff football hits Texas, the lights shine a little brighter-and this past weekend, no one lit it up quite like Jermaine Bishop Jr.
The Texas commit turned in a performance for the ages in Willis High School’s regional semifinal win over Forney, doing just about everything short of selling popcorn at halftime. Bishop Jr. racked up four total touchdowns, caught 15 passes for a staggering 328 yards, added 19 rushing yards, tossed a 42-yard pass, dropped a punt inside the opponent’s 15-yard line, and sealed the game with an interception. That’s not a stat line-it’s a résumé.
Bishop Jr. committed to the Longhorns back in May, and if there were any lingering questions about his ranking as one of the top athletes in the 2026 class, he erased them on Saturday night. The 5-star senior chose Texas over a loaded list of suitors that included Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. And based on what he’s doing on both sides of the ball-and even on special teams-it’s easy to see why he’s such a prized piece of Steve Sarkisian’s incoming class.
At 6 feet tall with speed, hands, vision, and instincts that jump off the tape, Bishop Jr. isn’t just versatile-he’s a Swiss Army knife with elite-level tools. Whether he’s lining up at wide receiver, taking snaps at running back, locking down receivers as a safety, or flipping the field with a clutch punt, he impacts the game in every phase.
And this wasn’t a one-off showcase. In the previous round against Tomball, Bishop Jr. hauled in seven catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, while also punching in two scores on the ground. He’s been stacking performances like this all season.
5-star Texas ATH commit Jermaine Bishop Jr. in Willis’ 38-32 third round playoff win over Forney:
— Jordan Scruggs (@JScruggs247) November 30, 2025
- 15 receptions for 328 yards and 3 TDs
- 7 carries for 19 yards and a TD
- 2-3 passing for 42 yards
- A 39 yard punt that put Forney on their own 14 with 0:17 left on the clock… pic.twitter.com/8AzYaqAbRP
Just look at the numbers: 1,730 receiving yards, 407 rushing yards, 112 passing yards, and 27 total touchdowns. Defensively, he’s added 77 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups, and four picks. Those are video game numbers-and they’re real.
In the final moments against Forney, Bishop Jr. showed his poise under pressure. With the game on the line, he launched a 39-yard punt that pinned Forney deep in their own territory.
Then, just minutes later, he snagged the game-sealing interception to punch Willis’ ticket to the next round. That’s the kind of clutch gene coaches dream about.
Texas already boasts a top-10 recruiting class for 2026, but Bishop Jr. might be the crown jewel. Ranked No. 16 nationally, he brings a rare combination of athleticism, football IQ, and big-game experience. And while it’s always wise to temper expectations for incoming freshmen, it’s hard not to see Bishop Jr. as someone who could make an immediate impact in Austin.
Whether it’s catching passes, making tackles, or flipping field position, Jermaine Bishop Jr. is a game-changer. And if his high school heroics are any indication, the Longhorns just landed a player who could help tilt the balance in the SEC sooner rather than later.