Chris Stewart made his commitment early - way early - but when it came time to put pen to paper, the Pearland Shadow Creek wide receiver didn’t waver. On Wednesday, Stewart officially signed with the Texas Longhorns, sticking with the pledge he made back in June 2024, nearly 18 months before the early signing period.
That kind of long-term commitment is rare in today’s recruiting world, where early verbal pledges often come with asterisks. But Stewart stayed locked in, becoming one of the foundational pieces of Texas’ 2026 class. He was actually the second commit in the group, joining the fold shortly after consensus five-star quarterback Dia Bell - a pairing that gives Texas fans plenty to dream about when looking toward the future of the offense.
Stewart had no shortage of options. He took official visits to Arizona State, Miami, SMU, and Tennessee during the summer, keeping his recruitment open while still leaning toward Austin.
Along the way, he picked up offers from some of the biggest names in college football - Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, USC, and Texas A&M, just to name a few. In total, more than a dozen Power Five programs pursued the 6-foot, 175-pound wideout.
But in the end, it was Texas that landed his signature - and they’re getting a dynamic offensive weapon with legit speed and upside.
As a sophomore, Stewart put together a breakout season, hauling in 35 catches for 654 yards and 10 touchdowns. That works out to an impressive 18.7 yards per reception, a number that speaks to his ability to stretch the field and create chunk plays.
And he’s not just fast on the football field - he’s got the track times to back it up. Stewart clocked an 11.10 in the 100 meters and a 22.24 in the 200, both strong markers for a young receiver still developing physically.
On tape, Stewart flashes as a slot receiver with the kind of suddenness and top-end speed that makes defensive backs uncomfortable. He accelerates quickly, hits his top gear smoothly, and has the kind of one-cut explosiveness that makes him a threat in the open field. Whether he’s catching screens, taking jet sweeps, or running vertical routes down the sideline, Stewart brings a level of versatility that fits right into the modern college game.
He’s not just a straight-line burner, either. Stewart shows a good feel for route timing and spacing, and he’s dangerous after the catch - the kind of player who can turn a five-yard throw into a 50-yard highlight. He’s also the type of receiver you can move around the formation - line him up in the slot, out wide, or even motion him into the backfield and get creative with how you get him the ball.
There’s still room for growth, of course. His size hasn’t been third-party verified yet, and like most high school juniors, he’ll need to continue developing physically and refining his game. But the early athletic indicators are there, and the on-field production matches the potential.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Stewart is a consensus four-star prospect, checking in as the No. 301 overall player in the country and the No. 46 wide receiver in the 2026 class. Those numbers reflect both his current ability and the ceiling evaluators see in him as he continues to mature.
For Texas, this is a win on multiple fronts. They’re locking down an in-state talent from the Houston area - always a critical recruiting battleground - and pairing him with an elite quarterback in Bell. Stewart’s commitment also signals that the Longhorns are building their 2026 class with explosive playmakers who fit the high-octane offense they want to run.
And for Stewart, it’s a chance to be part of something big - not just as a receiver, but as a cornerstone of what Texas hopes will be a championship-contending roster in the seasons to come.