BOOM: Texas Lands 5 EDGE Richard Wesley, No. 2 at His Position and Top-15 National Recruit in 2026 Class

In a colossal win on the 2026 recruiting trail, the Texas Longhorns have landed a commitment from elite pass-rusher Richard Wesley, a 5-star EDGE prospect ranked No. 2 at his position and among the top 15 players nationally. The announcement came via a short but powerful video posted to Wesley’s social media accounts, where he donned the burnt orange and declared his intentions to bring “pressure to the Forty Acres.”

This commitment marks a defining moment for head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, both of whom have made elite front-seven talent a centerpiece of their vision for the Longhorns’ SEC future. Wesley, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 245 pounds with a wingspan pushing 7 feet, is a prototypical edge rusher with game-wrecking ability, advanced technique, and the frame to dominate in college and beyond.

Hailing from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia, Wesley has long been considered a generational talent. His junior season saw him register 82 tackles, 21 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and a pick-six in a playoff game that sealed his team’s state title bid. Opposing offensive coordinators routinely double- and triple-teamed him, to little effect.

Wesley is a rare mix of explosion, bend, power, and IQ. He times snaps like a pro, possesses elite closing speed, and uses a deep pass-rush repertoire that includes rip, swim, and spin moves. His high motor and relentless pursuit also make him a nightmare in the run game.

“Richard is different,” said his high school coach, John Williams. “I’ve coached Power Five talent for over 15 years, but he’s the most complete defensive player I’ve seen come through. He’s a leader, a technician, and an absolute menace on the edge.”

Wesley chose Texas over a powerhouse list of contenders that included Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and USC. Many insiders believed Georgia had the inside track given its proximity and history of developing top-tier defenders, but Texas’ relationship-building and SEC-level development pitch proved decisive.

According to multiple sources, Texas began heavily recruiting Wesley in the spring of his sophomore year, with assistant coaches Terry Joseph and Bo Davis making near-weekly trips to Georgia. The Longhorns emphasized early playing time, academic support, and the family atmosphere in Austin. But it was Pete Kwiatkowski’s defensive philosophy—multiple fronts, aggressive edge play, and NFL-style schemes—that ultimately won Wesley over.

“Coach PK showed me exactly how I’d be used,” Wesley said in an exclusive interview after his announcement. “I watched film with him, broke down tape, and saw how guys like Baron Sorrell and Ethan Burke were developed. Texas is building a monster defense, and I want to be the centerpiece of that.”

With Texas entering its first full season in the Southeastern Conference, Wesley’s commitment sends a loud message: the Longhorns are not just trying to survive in the SEC—they plan to dominate. Landing a player of Wesley’s caliber, especially from deep in SEC country, signals a new era of recruiting power in Austin.

Steve Sarkisian emphasized that point in a statement released by Texas after the commitment went public.

“Richard is the type of player who changes the identity of your defense the day he steps on campus. He’s an elite competitor, a future leader, and someone who chose Texas because he believes in our vision of excellence both on and off the field. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Longhorn family.”

Indeed, Wesley represents more than a blue-chip commitment; he’s a symbol of the SEC-caliber future Sarkisian is constructing. Texas now holds five commitments from top-100 players in the 2026 class, and Wesley instantly becomes the crown jewel of the class, elevating the Longhorns into the top three nationally in composite recruiting rankings.

Wesley will arrive in Austin at a time when Texas’ defensive line is undergoing a generational shift. With current EDGE standouts like Sorrell, Burke, and J’Mond Tapp either graduating or entering the NFL Draft by 2026, the path to early playing time is wide open. Wesley is expected to compete for a rotational spot as a true freshman and potentially start by mid-season.

Texas plans to pair Wesley with fellow blue-chip EDGE Jaheim Crawford, another high-motor prospect who committed earlier this cycle. The two form what could be one of the most dangerous young pass-rushing tandems in college football. Defensive line coach Bo Davis has already hinted at moving toward more 4-2-5 base alignments that maximize athleticism on the edges.

“We’re building a front seven that quarterbacks are going to fear,” Davis said. “And Wesley is a tone-setter. He changes the math. He can line up wide-9, bump inside on third down, or even drop into coverage in exotic looks. You don’t get many like him.”

Wesley’s commitment is also likely to influence several other top prospects. Texas is in hot pursuit of 5-star linebacker Quincy Maddox and 4-star DL Javonte Billups, both of whom are close friends with Wesley and have spoken about wanting to play together in college.

National recruiting analyst Greg Biggins described the commitment as “a seismic moment” for Texas on the trail.

“Wesley was not only a priority recruit, he’s the kind of player who leads classes, recruits other stars, and raises the bar for everyone. His commitment shows that Texas is not just recruiting with the SEC—they’re beating the SEC at its own game.”

This surge in momentum could also impact Texas’ standing in future cycles, particularly in the Southeast. By pulling Wesley from Georgia—a region long considered a stronghold for Alabama, UGA, and LSU—the Longhorns have opened a new pipeline of possibility. Multiple Georgia-based 2027 prospects have already responded to the news on social media, posting burnt orange emojis and noting Texas’ growing relevance in the region.

In securing Richard Wesley, Texas has landed more than a 5-star EDGE. They’ve gained a franchise cornerstone, a vocal leader, and a player capable of anchoring an elite defense from day one. His commitment shifts the balance of recruiting power further toward Austin and adds a jolt of electricity to an already surging 2026 class.

The message is clear: Texas is back—not just as a national brand, but as an SEC powerhouse in the making. With Wesley leading the charge, the Longhorns’ defensive future just got a whole lot scarier.

And to opposing quarterbacks across the SEC: beware. Richard Wesley is coming.