Nearly three months ago, the Texas Longhorns received a commitment from five-star wide receiver Easton Royal. Since then, it has been a treacherous path to walk as team after team has tried to poach him from the Longhorns.
It feels like Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian just got done fending off the Ohio State Buckeyes on the recruiting trail. Now, the Horns are having to box out another powerhouse program: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Earlier this week, Royal shared that the Fighting Irish had officially extended him an offer, tacking on yet another option for the young blue-chip prospect's future team.
Royal is the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 7 overall prospect in the class of 2027, making him the crown jewel of Texas's upcoming recruiting cycle. Simply put, the Horns need to do everything they can to, once again, make sure he doesn't flip to another program.
Easton Royal has words of praise for Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman
"He’s a winning head coach. He took Notre Dame to a national championship," Royal said about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, according to On3's Kyle Kelly.
Other than the Buckeyes, and now the Irish, trying to poach Royal, dozens of other programs have been circling in the waters, including the Ole Miss Rebels, Miami Hurricanes, Georgia Bulldogs, and Florida Gators.
Sarkisian and his staff are having to play defense at every angle to keep Royal in the Longhorns' recruiting class, and his kind words about Freeman have only made the hairs on the back of Texas's neck stand up.
Texas five-star WR commit Easton Royal told me at the UA All-America Game that he admired Marcus Freeman‼️
— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) February 5, 2026
Now, the Irish have offered the New Orleans Brother Martin standout ☘️
“He’s a winning head coach. He took Notre Dame to a national championship.”https://t.co/QZqR34TMRE pic.twitter.com/v1YFmuDM2y
During Royal's junior season (2025), he earned over 1,700 total yards and 25 touchdowns. Simply put, he's a playmaker to the greatest extent of the word, and he is currently the highest-rated player in Texas's class of 2027.
Also read: Analyzing every player in Texas' completed 2026 class after National Signing Day
Royal is joined by four-star edge rusher Cameron Hall, three-star linebacker Cade Haug, three-star tight end JT Geraci, and three-star safety Greedy James in the Longhorns' recruiting class.