4-Star Texas football QB commit KJ Lacey reaffirms UT pledge

Texas football's first commitment in the 2025 recruiting class, the highly touted four-star Saraland (AL) quarterback KJ Lacey, is something this staff has had to fight to hang onto early this offseason.

It was always figured that there would be some level of in-state pressure for Lacey to consider schools like the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide in his recruitment, despite him committing to Texas last summer. But there were many other schools that have attempted to chip away at Lacey's commitment to the Longhorns in the last few months.

Texas football 4-Star QB commit KJ Lacey says his pledge is very "strong"

The Ole Miss Rebels and Auburn are two schools that made particularly spirited pushes to chip away at Lacey's commitment to Texas early this offseason. Lacey visited Ole Miss and Auburn at least one time each since last summer.

For now, though, it appears head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have weathered the storm to fend off competition from other schools on the recruiting trail to keep Lacey's commitment in the 2025 class.

Lacey reaffirmed his commitment to Texas in an interview with On3's Sam Spiegelman early this week. He told On3 that his commitment to the Longhorns is "really strong" and that his relationships with Texas coaches, specifically Sarkisian, remain strong.

Lacey is reportedly looking to make it back to Austin for a spring visit for a practice in the next couple of months. He last visited Texas last month when his 7v7 team was in Austin for a weekend tournament.

It was also interesting that Lacey said he's noticed how many players from Alabama and other SEC schools are transferring to Texas and have found success with the Longhorns. Former Alabama running back Keilan Robinson and Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell are two examples of SEC players transferring to Texas under Sarkisian and finding success.

Texas also added multiple Alabama transfers in its portal class early this offseason, including rising junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond and junior tight end Amari Niblack, who will be prominent pieces of the offense in the SEC in 2024.

Texas still has to fight to keep Lacey's commitment in the 2025 class

It's noteworthy that while Lacey has reaffirmed his commitment to Texas early this offseason, other schools will not let up on the recruiting trail with the touted quarterback from Alabama.

Auburn, Ole Miss, the Oregon Ducks, and potentially Alabama are four schools that continue to pursue Lacey on the recruiting trail entering this spring.

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