The 2028 college football season may still be a few years down the road, but the Texas Longhorns are already laying the groundwork for what they hope will be another strong recruiting class. One of their latest targets? Graham Simpson, a rising quarterback prospect out of Tennessee who’s starting to turn heads across the country.
Simpson, a three-star recruit, picked up an offer from Texas this week-another sign that Steve Sarkisian and his staff are staying aggressive on the recruiting trail. And while Simpson still has time to develop, there’s no denying the raw talent that’s already drawing national attention.
Let’s talk about what makes Simpson such an intriguing prospect. As just a sophomore, he led Westview High to a 14-1 record in 2024, putting together a season that would be impressive for a senior, let alone an underclassman.
He completed 239 of 315 passes, racked up 4,135 yards through the air, and tossed 57 touchdowns. Perhaps most impressively, he did all that while throwing just one interception.
That kind of efficiency and decision-making at such a young age is rare-and it’s exactly why programs like Texas are getting involved early.
Of course, the Longhorns aren’t the only ones eyeing Simpson. He’s already picked up offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, and Boston College.
And with the recruiting cycle for 2028 still in its early stages, don’t be surprised if more schools join the race soon. Quarterbacks with this kind of production-and poise-don’t stay under the radar for long.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Simpson is currently slotted as the ninth-best quarterback in his class. He’s also ranked as the fifth-best player in Tennessee and sits at No. 138 nationally. Those numbers speak volumes about how he’s viewed by scouts and evaluators, and they help explain why Texas is making a push now.
For the Longhorns, Simpson represents more than just a strong arm and a flashy stat line-he’s a chance to build the foundation of their 2028 class, which currently doesn’t have a commit. Texas has already extended offers to several four-star prospects, including Neimann Lawrence, Brysen Wright, Jaylen Addai, Braxton Rein, Jamarios Canton, and Jalanie George. Landing any one of those names would be a win, but adding a quarterback like Simpson could be a tone-setter.
Texas has developed a reputation in recent years for grooming quarterbacks who can thrive in Sarkisian’s offense. That’s a selling point they’ll no doubt emphasize as they continue to build a relationship with Simpson. There’s no commitment timeline yet, which gives the Longhorns time to make their pitch and show Simpson why Austin could be the right fit.
In a recruiting landscape that never really sleeps, Texas is making sure it stays ahead of the curve. And with Simpson now firmly on their radar, the Longhorns are hoping this early investment pays off in a big way down the line.