Texas football got its first commitment of the New Year in the 2026 recruiting class on Feb. 5, and its third for this cycle, in Melissa (TX) four-star offensive tackle Max Wright.
Recruiting momentum building early this offseason for 2026 for Texas football and Steve Sarkisian?
Wright's commitment to the Longhorns is the first pledge for Texas's 2026 class after the first big Junior Day of the offseason on Jan. 25. He was one of quite a few high-priority recruits on the trail for the 2026 and 2027 classes for the Longhorns who visited Texas for Junior Day a couple of weekends ago.
Texas is expected to take at least five more offensive line commits for the 2026 class, even with Wright in the boat at the offensive tackle position.
The Longhorns have built a nice foundation recruiting for the 2026 class on offense. One of Texas's early commitments in the 2026 class, Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage five-star Dia Bell, gives the Longhorns the foundation at quarterback to help recruit other top priority prospects for this recruiting cycle.
Here's a prediction of the next recruit to commit to the Longhorns in the 2026 class after Wright gave his pledge to Texas on Feb. 5.
Felix Ojo, OT
The recruitment of the elite high-four-star Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge offensive tackle Felix Ojo has heated up early this offseason on the trail. Ojo is one of Texas's top-priority offensive line recruits in-state in the 2026 class.
Texas is in a great spot for Ojo among his top group of schools early this offseason. He's visited Texas more than any other school since last offseason. Ojo had a great experience at Texas during the first Junior Day of this offseason two weeks ago.
Kyle Flood and the Longhorns still have a long way to go to stave off the competition on the recruiting trail to ultimately win Ojo's commitment when he's ready to make a decision after summer official visits.
Chace Calicut, S
Texas has signed one of the top-ranked defensive back classes in the nation for the past two cycles for 2025 and 2024. And with how Texas has focused its DB recruiting strategy on the trail for the 2026 class, this cycle looks to be promising for the Longhorns once again.
One of Texas's key priorities for the class of 2026 in the defensive secondary is landing Houston (TX) North Shore four-star safety Chace Calicut.
Texas offered Calicut a couple of weeks ago during his visit to Austin for Junior Day on Jan. 25. Safeties coach Blake Gideon and the Longhorns made it clear that Calicut is a priority for them on the trail for this class this offseason.
Jalen Lott, WR/CB
Texas really likes the physical tools and versatility that high-four-star Frisco (TX) Panther Creek athlete Jalen Lott brings as a fit at the corner position in the defensive secondary. The Longhorns have caught Lott's attention with the direction of the program and the consistent communication he's had with Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns' coaching staff.
He told 247Sports' Jordan Scruggs he likes the culture at Texas and has built great relationships with the coaching staff for the Longhorns. Lott had a great trip to Texas for Junior Day a couple of weeks ago, which has been a common theme as he's been a regular visitor in Austin since last offseason.
Lott could play wide receiver or corner for the Longhorns. But it looks like Texas is recruiting Lott to play in the secondary, since corners coach Terry Joseph is leading his recruitment for the Longhorns this offseason.