In just over a week, the Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian will learn if their recruiting efforts were enough to earn a commitment from five-star running back Landen Williams-Callis, who is reportedly choosing between the Horns, Texas A&M Aggies, and Missouri Tigers.
However, as Texas lies in wait, there are other blue-chip recruits from the next recruiting cycle who the Longhorns can't afford to neglect.
Luckily for the Horns, recruiting experts are already expecting a slew of four-star prospects to head in Texas's direction, a nice bonus as they wait to hear what Williams-Callis' decision is.
Texas already to build momentum in recruiting class of 2028
Sam Spiegelman, a recruiting insider for On3 and Rivals, recently logged three crystal ball predictions in favor of the Longhorns, building momentum for Sarkisian's recruiting efforts for Texas's class of 2028.
- CJ Whaley, four-star ATH - 65% confidence
- Micah Rhoades, four-star running back - 65% confidence
- Jai'storm Knight, four-star offensive tackle - 70% confidence
Even though the predictions came with 100 percent confidence, any expert leaning in one team's direction over the others is a great sign, especially when it comes to a recruiting expert like Spiegelman, who has a career accuracy of over 85 percent.
CJ Whaley, who is from Atlanta, TX, is a two-way athlete and has received offers from across the Lone Star State. Beyond Spiegelman's prediction, no other crystal balls have been logged in Whaley's recruitment, but the Horns currently hold a 97.8 percent chance to land his commitment.
Texas 🎯pick for CJ Whaley (🏈)
— Texas Longhorns Crystal Ball (@UTCrystalBall) July 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2028 ATH
✍️ By Sam Spiegelman
🎚️ 65% (Confidence)#On3 #AllGas28⛽️🙅♂️🛑 #HookEm 🤘🐂
Micah Rhoades, another blue-chip running back out of Texas (just like Williams-Callis), is reportedly choosing between the Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. Currently, the Horns hold 86.1 percent odds, followed by OU at a minimal 6.8 percent.
Texas 🎯pick for Micah Rhodes (🏈)
— Texas Longhorns Crystal Ball (@UTCrystalBall) July 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2028 RB
✍️ By Sam Spiegelman
🎚️ 65% (Confidence)#On3 #AllGas28⛽️🙅♂️🛑 #HookEm 🤘🐂
Jai'storm Knight, who earned the strongest confidence out of Spiegelman's predictions, grew up in San Antonio, just down the road from the Longhorns' home in Austin. His decision is reportedly split between Texas and Texas A&M, with 95.7 percent odds pointing in the Horns' direction, trailed at a great distance by the Aggies at just 1.4 percent.
Texas 🎯pick for Jai’strom Knight (🏈)
— Texas Longhorns Crystal Ball (@UTCrystalBall) July 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2028 OT
✍️ By Sam Spiegelman
🎚️ 70% (Confidence)#On3 #AllGas28⛽️🙅♂️🛑 #HookEm 🤘🐂
Sarkisian built a powerful recruiting class of 2027, highlighted by five-star prospects like cornerback John Meredith III, wide receiver Easton Royal, and interior offensive lineman. Now, he has already gotten the ball rolling for the class of 2028, landing four-star quarterback Neimann Lawrence.
The addition of blue-chip prospects like Knight, Rhoades, and Whaley would undoubtedly have the Horns trending toward yet another top-10, if not a top-five, nationally ranked recruiting class.
In the interim, Williams-Callis' decision day is set for Saturday, Aug. 1, when he will announce his choice between the Longhorns and the Aggies, who undeniably seem to lead the charge for his commitment.
Also read: Longhorns' recruiting ranking ascent made even sweeter by leapfrog over rival Sooners
If he commits to Texas over its in-state rival, don't be surprised if the Horns' class of 2027 climbs into the top three of the rankings.
