Just saw the 2026 247 composite update and Texas sitting at No. 6 with 5-star QB Dia Bell and Edge Richard Wesley already locked in. People want to act like that's a down year but look at the actual data. The Longhorns have a higher average recruit rating than every team ahead of them except Ohio State and Georgia. That means the class is smaller but more concentrated with elite talent. Oregon loaded up on volume with five 5-stars but they also took 27 commits. Texas took 21. Per recruit average is a better predictor of roster ceiling than total points and Texas is top 3 in that metric.
The narrative that Texas is slipping in recruiting is just lazy. Sarkisian has this roster constructed exactly how you want it. You don't need a top 3 class every single year when you already have blue-chip depth at every position group. What matters is hitting on the premium positions and they got the No. 1 QB and a top 3 edge rusher. That's how you sustain a program. Meanwhile Texas A&M is scrambling for defensive backs after losing Arrington to the portal and Oklahoma is trying to rebuild an entire offensive line through high school kids. The gap is widening.