Texas Longhorns get the chance to address sudden long-term need with Jamarion Carlton whiffed on only one year ago
In a striking turn of fortune that underscores the unpredictable nature of college football recruiting, the Texas Longhorns have filled a pressing long-term need by landing elite 2026 defensive lineman Jamarion Carlton—a player they had previously missed on just one year ago.
Carlton, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound force from North Shore High School (Houston, TX), was one of Texas’ top priorities in the 2025 cycle but shocked the recruiting world last summer by committing to Ohio State over the hometown Horns. At the time, it was seen as a major recruiting loss for Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, especially with Texas making its long-anticipated move into the SEC.
But now, one year later, the Longhorns have secured Carlton’s services after a decommitment and reevaluation period that reshaped his priorities—offering Texas a chance to right a past miss and strengthen a position group that desperately needed long-term depth.
“The timing just feels right now,” Carlton said in his commitment announcement. “I was chasing something before. Now I’m choosing what’s real. Texas is home, and I want to be part of what’s being built here.”
When Carlton first committed to Ohio State, many insiders believed the decision was rooted in early NFL preparation appeal, the Buckeyes’ national profile, and a strong relationship with then-defensive line coach Larry Johnson. However, after Johnson’s retirement and shifting dynamics in Columbus, Carlton reopened his recruitment in late spring of 2025.
Texas pounced.
According to sources close to the program, the Longhorns never stopped recruiting Carlton, even after his initial decision. Sarkisian and Kwiatkowski remained in contact, pitching a developmental path centered on Carlton becoming a featured lineman in Texas’ evolving 4-man SEC front.
“He’s a rare combination of size, burst, and block-shedding violence,” one Texas staffer said. “We told him last year we’d never stop believing he belonged in burnt orange. And now, here we are.”
Carlton’s Profile: A True SEC Trench Beast
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 285 lbs
- 40-yard dash: 4.85
- Bench press: 375 lbs
- Vertical: 31.5 inches
- 2025 Stats: 56 tackles, 12 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Carlton plays primarily as a 3-technique but has the quickness and hand violence to line up as a strong-side defensive end in odd fronts. His tape flashes dominant swim and rip moves, the ability to two-gap against the run, and closing speed that disrupts backfields.
He was recently named a 2025 All-American Bowl invitee and is considered a consensus Top-50 national prospect.
The Longhorns have built impressive recruiting momentum in the 2026 cycle, especially on offense—but defensive line depth remained a long-term concern. With upperclassmen like Alfred Collins, T’Vondre Sweat, and Byron Murphy now gone to the NFL, Texas was left searching for future anchors.
Last year’s miss on Carlton left a noticeable hole. His recommitment now gives Texas a chance to solidify the interior, alongside 2026 defensive commits like:
- 4⭐ EDGE Tyree Langston
- 4⭐ DL Colin Brentley
- 3⭐ DT Sam Ajayi
With Carlton in the fold, Texas now has the disruptor they lacked a year ago—a player who can eat double teams and still generate pressure on passing downs.
“We’re getting a more mature, hungry Jamarion,” one Texas coach told reporters. “The guy who felt overlooked last year is now going to anchor our line.”
Sarkisian: “We Believe in Redemptions”
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed Carlton’s commitment with transparency and pride, reflecting on how the recruiting process can evolve:
“Sometimes kids have to see the world, take visits, and figure out what they really want. We don’t take it personally. We stayed true to our message, and Jamarion came back to a program that still believed in him.”
Carlton becomes the 10th blue-chip recruit in what’s shaping up to be a top-three class nationally for Texas. He joins five-star commits like:
- James Flanigan (TE)
- Carson Dupré (QB)
- Tavien “Taz” McKnight (ATH/LB)
- Jaylen Moore (WR)
With these pieces coming together, Texas isn’t just building a class—they’re building a SEC-ready roster with championship DNA.
The Longhorns may have missed on Jamarion Carlton once, but they never gave up on him. That persistence paid off in the biggest way possible—by landing one of the best trench talents in America at a time when it matters most.
In the SEC, you win with size and speed up front. And now, Texas has both in spades—with a redemption story that shows just how far the program has come under Sarkisian’s leadership.
Hook ’Em.
