Karnell “Greedy” James is headed to LSU, and Texas is left to watch one of its early wins slip away.
The four-star defensive back from Manvel, Texas, flipped his commitment on Thursday, ending his run as a Longhorns pledge and giving the Tigers a recruiting victory that carries extra bite because Texas was in on him before the rest of the country caught up.
Texas had been ahead of the curve with James. The Longhorns offered him in June 2025 after he camped in Austin, then secured his commitment in December, before his recruitment really took off.
At that point, it looked like Texas had spotted a defensive back early and beaten the market.
That edge didn’t hold.
Following a breakout junior season, James’ recruiting board swelled to 29 schools, and Texas suddenly found itself in a much tougher fight to keep him. LSU and Notre Dame both entered the mix, but the Tigers made the strongest push late.
James now takes that talent to Baton Rouge, where LSU’s track record with defensive backs and its development pitch helped pry him away from Texas.
For the Tigers, it’s the kind of flip that can energize a class. James adds length, versatility and a playmaking profile that fits what LSU wants on the back end. He could end up at safety or get a look at corner, but either way, he gives the Tigers another athletic defensive piece with upside.
For Texas, the search goes on. The Longhorns will have to reload in 2027 after losing a prospect they once seemed to have locked down.
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Karnell James LSU Flip Could Be Just The Start For Texas
Karnell Greedy James move from Texas to LSU was already a notable hit on the Longhorns 2027 recruiting board, but the ripple effect may be even more important than the flip itself. The four-star defensive back had been committed to Texas before changing course, and now he is not just wearing LSU colors on the trail, he is helping the Tigers work other targets while the class is still taking shape.
One of the names in that orbit is Easton Royal, the Texas five-star wide receiver commit who is weighing his options among Texas, LSU and Florida. Royal has acknowledged James switch and reposted the news on social media, a small but telling sign that the recruitment is still very much alive and that Texas may have more to worry about here than one lost defensive back. [Read more 🡒]
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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
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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 🡒]