It's been a pretty chaotic last few days on the recruiting trail at the running back and secondary positions for Texas football amid the recent coaching staff changes at running backs and cornerbacks coach.
New Texas football RB coach makes news on the trail this week with the reaffirmation of Ezavier Crowell's OV date this summer
Multiple key blue-chip running back targets for the Longhorns in the 2026 class early this offseason on the trail canceled their previously scheduled official visits to Texas after the news that running backs coach Tashard Choice left Austin for the same role with the NFL's Detroit Lions.
The most high-profile running back priority in-state for the Longhorns in the 2026 class who canceled their official visit to Texas was high-four-star Forney (TX) running back Javian Osborne.
Texas still has a chance to get a visit from Osborne during the spring or in the summer. But this isn't out of the ordinary for coaching staff turnover to have this sort of impact on the recruiting trail during the offseason.
New Texas running backs coach hire Chad Scott has some time to find his footing with the Longhorns' coaching staff and the brand recognition of the program on the trail. Scott joining the coaching staff as the RB coach will impact the direction of Texas's running back recruiting for the 2026 and 2027 classes.
Here are three key blue-chip running backs in the 2026 class that Scott and the Longhorns should prioritize going into spring and summer visits this offseason.
KJ Edwards, Carthage (TX)
Arguably, the highly touted four-star Carthage (TX) product KJ Edwards is Texas's top priority at the running back position in-state in the 2026 class going into spring visits this offseason. Edwards has an official visit scheduled to see Austin this summer in June.
He's also scheduled to take official visits this summer to see the Texas A&M Aggies, SMU Mustangs, and Baylor Bears. All four schools he's planning to officially visit this summer are in the state of Texas.
Carthage bros @JdEdwards2028 and @KJEdwards2026 in the ATX. #HookEm #bEASTtexas @InsideTexas pic.twitter.com/RsX1173kGf
— Justin Wells (@justinwells2424) January 25, 2025
Based on what's been reported surrounding Edwards' recruitment since Scott was hired a few days ago as Texas's new running backs coach, he is still very interested in the Longhorns and is excited for his official trip upcoming this summer on the trail.
Ezavier Crowell, Jackson (AL)
High-four-star Jackson (AL) running back Ezavier Crowell made headlines early this offseason when he reclassified down to 2026 in January. Since he reclassified to the 2026 class last month, Crowell has set visits to see the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, Auburn Tigers, and Texas.
It appears that Crowell was one of the first recruits Scott made contact with on the trail after he was hired for the Longhorns a few days ago.
After initial reporting after Choice left for the Lions job last week indicated that Crowell had canceled his official visit to Texas, he later posted on his X account on Feb. 21 that the trip was back on the books.
Crowell will be a big part of Texas's running back big board out-of-state in the Southeastern United States for Scott and the Longhorns for the 2026 class this summer.
Derrek Cooper, Fort Lauderdale (FL) Chaminade-Madonna Prep
One of the most intriguing elite running backs the Longhorns appear likely to pursue on the trail entering spring visits after the hire of Scott this week is the elite five-star Fort Lauderdale (FL) Chaminade-Madonna Prep running back Derrek Cooper.
Cooper, the No. 2 running back recruit in the nation in the 2026 class in the 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking, hails from Scott's home state of Florida. Scott has many connections on the trail with the high schools in the Fort Lauderdale area and with the 7-on-7 coaches and teams in South Florida.
OTF's Gerry Hamilton reported on Feb. 22 that he believes Texas "is going to go after Cooper" on the trail for the 2026 class. Cooper reportedly has "interest in Texas and wants to visit" Austin this offseason.