The Texas Longhorns took a key step in their 2027 recruiting efforts this weekend, extending an offer to Smithson Valley quarterback Ty Knutson during Saturday’s Junior Day visit on the Forty Acres.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Texas has had its eye on Knutson for a while, with co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee closely tracking his development throughout the high school season. After months of evaluation, the staff clearly saw enough in Knutson to make things official.
The timing of the offer is especially notable. Texas had been relatively quiet on the 2027 quarterback front since two of their top early targets came off the board - Louisiana’s Peyton Houston pledged to LSU, and Kavian Bryant from Palestine committed to Texas Tech back in November. That left the Longhorns without any active offers to uncommitted quarterbacks in the class, making Knutson’s evaluation even more critical.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Knutson brings a solid frame to the table and has already drawn interest from a number of programs. His offer sheet includes Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, along with North Texas, Tulane, UTSA, UTEP, and UTRGV. That said, not all of those offers are currently committable, which could give Texas a clearer path if they choose to push for a commitment.
This is a tricky cycle for quarterback recruiting, especially after the Longhorns landed top-10 national prospect Dia Bell - a player many view as the heir apparent to Arch Manning. With Bell already in the fold, Texas can afford to be selective, but that doesn’t mean they’re slowing down. Offering Knutson signals that the staff is still working to build depth and maintain long-term stability at the most important position on the field.
Knutson is currently rated as a three-star prospect, ranked No. 720 overall and the No. 50 quarterback in the 2027 class, per the 247Sports Composite. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, it’s clear Texas sees something they like - whether it’s his arm talent, football IQ, or developmental upside.
The Longhorns’ quarterback room is in solid shape for now, but as we all know, depth can evaporate quickly in today’s college football landscape. Injuries, transfers, and early NFL declarations make forward-thinking recruiting essential. Knutson may not be a household name just yet, but with Texas entering the mix, he’s definitely one to watch moving forward.