In the coming weeks and months, Texas football recruiting will kick into high gear on the trail, hosting key blue-chip visitors from the 2026 and 2027 classes for spring and summer visits. Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian already had one major visit weekend early this offseason, back on Jan. 25 for the Junior Day festivities.
Texas football coaches busy on the trail preparing for spring visits and the eval period for 2026 this offseason
Texas has a high ceiling for the success it can find on the recruiting trail for the 2026 class early this offseason. Sarkisian and staff are aiming for a second straight No. 1 ranked class in the nation for the 2026 cycle in the 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking.
With the start of the spring evaluation period on the trail right around the corner, and spring visits set to commence soon over the next month, this is an important time for the Longhorns to ramp up recruiting for the 2026 class.
Here are three "must-win" recruitments for the Longhorns to focus on for the 2026 class early this offseason, and going into the spring evaluation period.
Javian Osborne, RB
Elite high-four-star Forney (TX) running back Javian Osborne is one of Texas's top skill recruits in-state for the 2026 class early this offseason. Texas is looking to take two running back commits in the 2026 cycle, and Osborne is one of the rushers guaranteed to have a spot in this class, no matter what.
Running backs coach Tashard Choice has made it known that Osborne is one of the highest-priority targets at the position for the Longhorns in the 2026 class. Choice and Osborne have a great relationship, which is one of the reasons why Texas is neck and neck with the Michigan Wolverines among the top two schools duking it out on the trail to land the elite running back recruit from North Texas.
Jalen Lott, CB/ATH
High-four-star Lucas (TX) Panther Creek athlete/cornerback Jalen Lott is widely regarded as one of Texas's top priority recruits in the defensive secondary in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-1 and 170-pound athlete from North Texas has been given an intriguing pitch from the Longhorns' coaching staff during his multiple visits to Austin since last offseason.
Texas is recruiting Lott at cornerback. But he could play wide receiver at the next level, too, given his experience playing both sides of the ball for Panther Creek High School and his athleticism and versatility at both positions.
Lott has been confirmed to be among the visitors on the list making an official visit to Texas in mid-June this summer (June 13-15).
John Turntine III, OT
Kyle Flood and the Longhorns are looking to take at least five or six offensive linemen from high school recruiting in the 2026 class. The two highest-priority in-state offensive line recruits for Flood and the Longhorns in the 2026 class are Fort Worth (TX) North Crowley five-star John Turntine III and Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge high-four-star Felix Ojo.
Turntine, the No. 1 offensive line recruit in Texas in the 2026 class in the 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking, is probably the top target at the offensive tackle position for Flood and the Longhorns for this cycle going into spring and summer visits.
Proximity to home and the relationship Flood has built with Turntine and his family has given the Longhorns a lead in this recruitment early this offseason on the recruiting trail.
Turntine will officially visit Texas in late June (June 20-22).