Prior to important visits, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are making a concerted effort to keep a four-star defensive recruit away from Texas A&M.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football recruiting, every school is always vying for the next big star. But when it comes to powerhouses like the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies, the competition for top-tier talent becomes fierce. With the 2025 recruiting class taking shape, both schools have found themselves in a heated battle for a coveted four-star defensive recruit. This particular prospect has caught the eye of both programs, and as his recruitment intensifies, Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns are pushing hard to keep this rising star from heading to College Station.

The recruitment of four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Jones, a standout from a top high school program in Texas, has become a high-stakes contest for the Longhorns and Aggies. Both programs have had great success in recruiting over the past few years, with Texas A&M attracting elite talent and Texas making significant strides under Sarkisian’s leadership. As the 2025 signing period approaches, the Longhorns are doing everything in their power to not only stay in the race for Jones but to fend off the Aggies, who have made their own aggressive push.

This recruitment is not just about landing a top prospect—it’s about the larger battle for supremacy in Texas, where the state’s high school football talent is among the best in the country. With both schools already poised for a fierce rivalry, the outcome of Jones’ recruitment could significantly impact the recruiting momentum for each program in the coming years. In this piece, we’ll break down why the Longhorns are pushing so hard to keep Jaylen Jones from committing to Texas A&M, and what his recruitment means for both programs.

The Recruiting War Over Jaylen Jones

Jaylen Jones is a highly regarded defensive lineman from the 2025 class, with elite size, athleticism, and a quick first step that has made him a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 290 pounds, Jones possesses the physical tools to excel at the collegiate level. His combination of strength, speed, and vision make him an ideal candidate to play in a 3-4 defensive front, making him an excellent fit for both Texas and Texas A&M, who utilize similar defensive schemes.

With offers from nearly every top program in the country, it’s no surprise that both the Longhorns and the Aggies have been in a battle for Jones’ services since the recruiting process began. However, with Texas A&M already having an established defense under head coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, the Longhorns have had to pull out all the stops to stay in the hunt for Jones.

Texas Longhorns: The Push to Keep Jones in Austin

For Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns, landing a prospect like Jaylen Jones is more than just adding talent to the defensive line—it would be a statement to the recruiting world. Texas has long been one of the top programs in the state and a historically dominant force in college football, but in recent years, the Longhorns have seen their dominance diminish, especially after the departure of former head coach Tom Herman. However, with Sarkisian at the helm, Texas has seen a resurgence in both recruiting and on-field performance.

Sarkisian and the Longhorns are looking to build a defense that can compete with the top teams in the country, and bringing in an elite defensive recruit like Jones would significantly enhance their chances of returning to national prominence. Sarkisian has made it clear that he is focusing on bolstering the defensive side of the ball, and Jones is exactly the type of player the Longhorns need to continue their ascent.

The Texas coaching staff has made Jones a priority, with Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski personally involved in his recruitment. Texas has emphasized their success in developing defensive talent and their ability to offer early playing time to top recruits. They have also showcased their defensive scheme, which would be a good fit for Jones’ skill set, highlighting his potential to make an immediate impact on the field. The Longhorns have been relentless in their pursuit, leveraging their strong recruiting class in 2025, which includes several other high-profile defensive players.

Moreover, the allure of staying in-state has been another significant factor in Texas’ favor. Jones hails from a high school in the Houston area, making Austin a natural landing spot for the four-star recruit. The Longhorns have also worked to secure commitments from other recruits from the Houston region, giving them a sense of continuity that Jones could be a part of when he steps onto the field for his freshman season. Texas is betting that Jones will feel comfortable joining a program with other top recruits and the chance to make an immediate impact.

Texas A&M: The Aggies’ Aggressive Pursuit

On the other side of the battle stands Texas A&M, a program that has been consistently recruiting at a high level under Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies have become one of the most dangerous programs in the SEC, thanks to a combination of strong recruiting, player development, and a top-notch coaching staff. Texas A&M has become a significant player in the state of Texas, competing with Texas for the best recruits, and their defense has become one of the most formidable in college football.

For Texas A&M, Jones represents the type of game-changing recruit that can elevate the defense to the next level. With a strong defensive line already in place and a robust recruiting pipeline, Jones would be an incredible addition to an already stout front. The Aggies have made no secret of their interest in Jones, bringing him to campus for multiple visits, where they have showcased their facilities, coaching staff, and the chance to compete for immediate playing time.

Fisher and Durkin’s defensive scheme is a big selling point for Texas A&M, as it emphasizes versatility, which is ideal for a player like Jones. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive front, whether as a defensive tackle or an end, fits perfectly within the Aggies’ system. Durkin, who is known for his ability to develop defensive linemen, has made it clear that he sees Jones as an ideal candidate to thrive under his guidance.

Additionally, Texas A&M has used its success in the SEC as a major selling point to Jones. The Aggies are competing with the best teams in the nation week in and week out, and Jones could be a part of a team that consistently plays at the highest level. With an already talented roster and a coaching staff that knows how to develop defensive stars, A&M has worked hard to sell Jones on the idea of becoming a centerpiece of an elite defense.

The Recruitment Intensifies: Key Visits Loom

As Jaylen Jones gets ready for some of his final official visits before making a decision, the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies are both pushing hard to make their case. Both programs are hopeful that their pitches will resonate with Jones, but as the visits draw near, it’s clear that the recruitment will come down to what factors matter most to the defensive lineman.

For Jones, the decision will likely come down to several key factors: proximity to home, development opportunities, playing time, and program stability. The Longhorns have done their best to ensure that Jones sees the upside of staying in Austin, while the Aggies have been relentless in making their case as a premier destination for defensive prospects.

Both programs are also aware of the potential impact Jones could have on the larger recruiting picture. If Jones commits to one school over the other, it could have ripple effects in the state of Texas, where both schools are already in a fierce battle for supremacy. A commitment to Texas or Texas A&M would be a major recruiting win, and the potential for either school to close the deal on Jones could serve as a springboard for further success in the 2025 cycle.