Texas football is heating up on the recruiting trail - and fast. Over the past week, the Longhorns have made a serious statement, climbing from No. 10 to No. 7 in the Rivals rankings for the 2026 class. That jump didn’t happen by accident - it came on the heels of a flurry of high-profile commitments, including some key flips, and a major showcase weekend in Austin during the Lone Star Showdown.
Let’s break it down.
Post-Rivalry Surge: Texas Cashes In on Momentum
Just hours after knocking off Texas A&M, the Longhorns landed two major commitments that turned heads across the recruiting landscape. Five-star wide receiver Easton Royal and four-star defensive lineman Jamarion Carlton both pledged to Texas, giving the program a huge boost heading into the final stretch before National Signing Days (Dec. 3-5).
Royal, a 2027 product out of New Orleans, is as elite as they come. He’s currently ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in Louisiana and the top junior wideout in the nation.
And he’s not just a football player - this kid is a burner on the track, too. He clocked a 10.38 in the 100-meter dash, setting a school record at Brother Martin High.
On the field, he racked up 1,729 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns this season. That kind of production - paired with legit track speed - makes him a matchup nightmare in space.
Royal chose Texas over LSU, Ole Miss, and Oregon, announcing his commitment the morning after the A&M game. That’s a big-time win for Texas, especially pulling a top Louisiana talent away from LSU’s backyard.
Carlton, a 2026 four-star out of Temple, had originally committed to Baylor back in July. But after visiting Austin and soaking in the atmosphere of the rivalry win, he flipped to the Longhorns - making it official on Saturday afternoon.
“Finally home,” Carlton wrote on X. “Hook ‘Em.”
Carlton brings size, strength, and versatility to the defensive front. He posted 68 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks this season.
He also stood out during the Navy All-American Bowl, where his athleticism and burst caught the attention of scouts. According to 247Sports’ Gabe Brooks, Carlton is a “high-ceiling on-ball defender” who could thrive in multiple schemes and brings NFL-caliber traits to the table.
The Flips Keep Coming
Carlton and Royal weren’t the only ones to join the Texas wave.
Kaden Scherer, a 2026 three-star offensive tackle from Georgetown, flipped his commitment from Stanford to Texas early last week. Scherer had been pledged to the Cardinal since June, but the Longhorns made a late push and got their guy. He also held offers from Arizona State and Texas Tech.
Also out of Georgetown, Jett Walker - a three-star running back in the 2026 class - flipped from Minnesota to Texas. Walker had a monster junior season, rushing for 2,351 yards and 37 touchdowns while averaging nearly 11 yards per carry. That kind of production speaks for itself, and it’s easy to see how he could fit into Texas’ backfield plans in the years to come.
The Longhorns also added Charlie Jilek, a three-star tight end from Portage, Michigan, who flipped from Minnesota. Jilek is a versatile athlete who also played linebacker, notching 100 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble this season. His physicality and two-way potential give Texas options with how they develop him.
Rounding out the recent run is Rocky Cummings, a three-star linebacker from Carlsbad, California. Cummings flipped from Cal to Texas on Nov.
- Despite missing five games this season due to illness, he still posted 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks over seven games.
He’s a rangy, high-motor defender who brings depth and upside to the linebacker room.
One Loss in the Shuffle
Not everything went Texas’ way, though. During the first half of the Texas A&M game, three-star offensive tackle Max Wright decommitted from the Longhorns and flipped to SMU. It’s a loss for the class, but given the wave of talent heading to Austin, the overall momentum remains firmly in Texas’ favor.
What It Means
With National Signing Days just around the corner, Texas is surging at the right time. The Longhorns are stacking talent across multiple positions - and not just filling out the roster, but landing players with real upside. Between the flips, the five-star splash, and the post-rivalry buzz, Texas is positioning itself to close out the 2026 cycle strong while also laying the foundation for 2027.
And if this past week is any indication, the Longhorns aren’t done yet.