Sark adds a new 5-star visitor for massive Texas SEC showdown against Vanderbilt

This weekend holds a massive game for the Longhorns as they host the No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores in a matchup that could easily make or break Texas's hopes for a third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoffs.

Adding to the pressure, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Horns will also be hosting five-star wide receiver Easton Royal, the No. 1 wideout and the No. 1 athlete out of Louisiana in the class of 2027.

So, as the Horns, who are ranked No. 20 heading into Week 10, work to take down their first top-10 opponent of the season, Texas will also be working to impress one of the most highly coveted players in the 2027 recruiting cycle.

Who is Easton Royal?

Despite being just part of the way through his junior season of high school football, Royal has already cemented himself as the best receiver in the class of 2027.

As a sophomore in 2024, he finished the year with a resounding 1,149 total yards and 14 touchdowns, while also playing cornerback on a handful of occasions and setting a school record in the 100-meter dash at 10.38 seconds.

Simply put, Royal is an incredible all-around athlete and is one of the best gems in the junior class of prospects.

Royal, a New Orleans, LA, native, has already received 29 Division I offers, including offers from powerhouse programs like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan Wolverines, and Texas Longhorns.

The young wideout announced he would be in Austin over the weekend of Nov. 1, just days before the matchup. When he is on the sidelines for Texas's SEC showdown against Vanderbilt, it could easily cement the Longhorns as the place that Royal wants to call home in the future.

With Royal on the sidelines, No. 20 Texas and No. 9 Vanderbilt are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 1. The top-25 SEC matchup will be broadcast on ABC.