An ex-LSU 5-star commit decides to visit the **Texas Longhorns** over the **Texas A&M Aggies**, creating buzz in college football recruiting.

In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, every decision made by a highly coveted recruit has the potential to drastically alter the landscape of a program, conference, and even the broader football culture. Recently, a significant twist in the recruitment of a former LSU 5-star commit sent ripples through the recruiting world, and that twist centered on a decision: the recruit opted to visit the Texas Longhorns over the Texas A&M Aggies.

This development is far from just another visit. It’s a signal that the Longhorns, who have been steadily improving in recent years under head coach Steve Sarkisian, may be ready to compete at an even higher level, particularly with recruiting. Additionally, it raises questions about the state of Texas A&M’s recruiting and how the Aggies may need to adjust their strategy if they want to maintain their place among the nation’s elite programs.

In this article, we will examine why this decision is so important, how it impacts both Texas and Texas A&M, and what it means for the broader landscape of college football recruiting in 2025 and beyond.

The 5-Star Commit: What We Know About the Prospect

Before diving into the significance of the visit, it’s important to understand the player at the center of the story. This recruit, who was initially committed to LSU, is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 recruiting class. Known for his combination of athleticism, skill, and versatility, he was once considered one of the crown jewels of LSU’s recruiting class.

Position and Skills:

• The recruit plays a position that is highly coveted in college football—likely a wide receiver, defensive back, or edge rusher, given the impact those positions often have on the field and in recruiting battles. His combination of size, speed, and explosiveness makes him a highly desirable player for any program.
• His ability to change the game with his speed and athleticism has earned him 5-star status, meaning he’s one of the most highly ranked players in the entire recruiting class.
• Scouts and coaches have praised his ability to be a game-changer at the college level. Whether he is catching passes for touchdowns, intercepting passes in the secondary, or wreaking havoc in the backfield, he is a player who can make an immediate impact.

Having initially chosen LSU, it seemed as though he would be a cornerstone of their recruiting class. However, after recent developments, including a change in his recruitment trajectory, his decision to visit Texas over Texas A&M speaks volumes about his potential fit at those programs.

The Texas Longhorns: A Rising Power in Recruiting

The decision to visit the Texas Longhorns represents an exciting opportunity for the Longhorns program. Under head coach Steve Sarkisian, Texas has been steadily rebuilding its reputation as one of the top programs in college football. With a growing roster of talent, especially after the team’s strong recruiting classes in the past couple of years, landing a 5-star recruit would be another feather in their cap.

Sarkisian’s Success in Recruiting

Since taking over the Longhorns in 2021, Sarkisian has been focused on rebuilding Texas into a powerhouse program that can compete for Big 12 titles, College Football Playoff berths, and national championships. Sarkisian’s experience as an offensive coordinator at powerhouse programs like Alabama has helped him position Texas as a recruiting juggernaut.

• Texas’ Recruiting Momentum: The Longhorns have seen consistent improvement in their recruiting rankings under Sarkisian, moving from a top-20 program to a top-10 contender. In 2024, Texas landed a strong class that included some highly-ranked players who are expected to make an immediate impact. The addition of a 5-star recruit would only bolster Texas’ already elite status.
• A Strong Track Record: Sarkisian has a proven track record of developing talent, particularly on offense. His time at Alabama, where he helped develop quarterbacks like Mac Jones and Bryce Young, has given him a strong reputation as a coach who can nurture and refine high-level talent. For a 5-star recruit, the idea of playing in Sarkisian’s offense is a major selling point.
• Transition to the SEC: The Texas Longhorns will join the SEC in 2025, a major step that could elevate their recruiting even further. As the conference continues to dominate the college football landscape, playing in the SEC is becoming more appealing to recruits who want to compete at the highest level. With this recruit choosing to visit Texas, it signals that the Longhorns are becoming a serious contender in the SEC and a true rival to the Aggies.

What Texas Offers:

• Strong Offensive System: The opportunity to play in a high-octane, pass-heavy offense with a track record of developing first-round talent is one of the main selling points for Sarkisian and Texas. The offense, which has flourished in recent years, would be a perfect fit for a dynamic playmaker like the 5-star recruit.
• High-Level Talent Pool: Texas boasts some of the top recruiting classes in the nation and has produced a deep roster full of talent. A 5-star recruit would immediately have a chance to compete for national championships, Big 12 titles, and ultimately, NFL Draft spots.
• The SEC Advantage: The prestige of playing in the SEC cannot be understated. Texas will be joining a conference full of elite programs, which offers recruits the chance to compete against the best every week. The opportunity to play against top-tier SEC defenses, be seen on a national stage, and showcase one’s abilities against the toughest competition is a huge selling point.

Texas A&M Aggies: The Rivalry Intensifies

As much as Texas has been rising, the Texas A&M Aggies have also had their own share of recruiting successes under head coach Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies have established themselves as a serious contender in both the SEC and the Texas recruiting scene, and their loss of this 5-star recruit to the Longhorns is undoubtedly a setback.

Texas A&M’s Recruiting Class

The Aggies have been working tirelessly to put together elite recruiting classes under Jimbo Fisher. A big part of their success has been the investment in infrastructure, the development of top-tier talent, and the allure of competing in the SEC.

• A&M’s Commitment to Winning: Jimbo Fisher has built a program that competes year in and year out. They’ve also been in the mix for national championships and consistently land top-ranked recruiting classes. A loss to Texas in this instance is a blow, as it signals that even the most elite recruits may be open to looking elsewhere, even if they have been previously interested in the Aggies.
• The Pressure is On for Jimbo Fisher: Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and for Texas A&M, it’s been a major focus of Jimbo Fisher’s tenure. Fisher has not only had to compete against traditional SEC powers like Alabama and Georgia, but he’s also had to face the growing power of Texas in-state. With the Longhorns coming to the SEC, the competition for recruits will only intensify, making every decision like this one incredibly impactful.

What Went Wrong for Texas A&M?

• Recruiting Battle with Texas: The competition between Texas and Texas A&M for recruits has always been fierce, but with the addition of the Longhorns to the SEC, the stakes are even higher. Texas A&M has historically been a powerhouse in recruiting, but Texas has steadily improved in that department. The decision by this 5-star recruit to visit Texas over A&M only fuels the rivalry and makes it clear that the Longhorns are a serious threat in the recruiting game.
• The Aggies’ Focus on Development: Texas A&M has developed a strong reputation for player development, especially under Jimbo Fisher. However, this decision by a 5-star recruit suggests that some may prefer the excitement and opportunities at Texas. For the Aggies to keep up in recruiting, they will need to double down on their efforts to provide top-tier facilities, a winning culture, and an exciting playing environment.

 A Major Moment in College Football Recruiting

The decision of an ex-LSU 5-star commit to visit Texas over Texas A&M is more than just another recruiting visit—it’s a reflection of the shifting dynamics in the world of college football recruiting. Texas is rising, and with their move to the SEC, they are positioning themselves as one of the premier programs in the country.

The Longhorns’ ability to land top-tier recruits, even in the face of fierce competition from in-state rivals like Texas A&M, demonstrates the growing strength of their program. Texas A&M, while still a formidable force in recruiting, will now have to adjust to the reality of sharing the same recruiting turf with the Longhorns on an even playing field in the SEC.

This visit, and possibly future commitments, could change the recruiting landscape in Texas and could be the beginning of a new era for both programs as they look to battle for supremacy in the SEC. For the recruit, the decision will likely come down to the opportunity to compete at the highest level, to be developed into an elite player, and to be part of a program with championship aspirations.

In any case, this recruitment decision is just one more piece in the ongoing drama that is college football

recruiting, and it’s a storyline that will continue to unfold as the season progresses.