As Steve Sarkisian works to improve his class of 2026 recruits, he and the Texas Longhorns received some highly optimistic news from one recruiting expert.
On3's Steve Wiltfong dropped an expert prediction that Sarkisian was trending toward landing four-star cornerback Hayward Howard Jr., a Louisiana native.
Howard has expressed interest in numerous programs like the Miami Hurricanes, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Texas A&M Aggies, and Texas Longhorns (obviously). Now, the Horns reportedly have a 97.6 percent chance of landing the defensive back.
What is Texas's 2026 recruiting class ranked?
Currently, Sarkisian and the Horns have the nationally-ranked No. 22 class of 2026 recruits, with just five commitments so far.
Sarkisian has received commitments from five-star quarterback Dia Bell, four-star wideout Christ Stewart, four-star offensive tackle Max Wright, three-star interior offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson, and three-star long snapper Trott O'Neal.
However, despite the blue-chip commitments, the class of future Longhorns is drastically lacking in quantity, especially in comparison to programs like USC, which already has 26 commitments from the class.
What is Texas's 2025 recruiting class ranked?
Sarkisian brought in the No. 1 recruiting class of 2025 prospects in the nation with five five-star, 13 four-star, and seven three-star prospects committing to play for the Longhorns.
Most notably, the Horns received commitments from five-star safety Jonah Williams (yes, the one who has been playing baseball for Texas), five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, five-star edge rusher Lance Jackson, five-star wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, and five-star cornerback Kade Phillips.
While a slew of talented defensive backs might scare some future stars away from a program, the success that Texas has had from its defensive secondary is undeniably enticing for athletes like Howard.
In the last NFL Draft, former Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron was selected 20th overall by the Denver Broncos, after winning the Jim Thorpe Award for being the best defensive back in the nation during his last season with the Longhorns.