Texas added 23 newcomers in the December signing period for the 2026 class, addressing every level of the roster with high school talent. The group features multiple five‑star headliners, strong regional recruiting in Texas and the Southeast, and key specialists who round out a deep class.
The Longhorns did not sign four-star DL Vodney Cleveland or DT commit Corey Wells, as anticipated. Cleveland flipped to North Carolina and Wells flipped and signed with Auburn, along with his brother Chris Wells.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian said in his National Signing Day press conference that Texas will be active in the portal for offensive line players, as well as defensive tackles, linebackers, defensive backs and running backs.
Offense
- Dia Bell – QB – 6-3, 205 – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Mater Lakes Academy)
A five‑star quarterback and one of the top passers in the country, Bell brings Elite 11 MVP credentials and prolific efficiency as a dual‑threat, with big production and low turnovers across his prep career. - Derrek Cooper – RB – 6-1, 201 – Lauderhill, Fla. (Chaminade Madonna Prep)
Cooper is a nationally rated running back with explosive yards‑per‑carry numbers, double‑digit rushing touchdowns, and impact snaps on defense and special teams for one of Florida’s top programs. - Jett Walker – RB – 6-1, 210 – Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
A highly productive back with multiple 1,000‑yard seasons, Walker piled up rushing touchdowns, consistent 100‑yard games, and strong track times that showcase his long speed. - Kohen Brown – WR – 6-0, 195 – Dallas, Texas (Waxahachie)
Brown is a steady three‑star wideout who posted big yards‑per‑catch, back‑to‑back seasons with strong reception and touchdown totals, and occasional defensive production. - Chris Stewart – WR – 6-0, 180 – Missouri City, Texas (Shadow Creek)
A four‑star receiver and return threat, Stewart stacked multiple seasons with significant receiving yards and touchdowns while adding impact on both kickoff and punt returns. - Charlie Jilek – TE – 6-5, 240 – Portage, Mich. (Portage Central)
Jilek is a long, athletic tight end and two‑way contributor who offers size at 6‑5 and has experience making plays on offense and defense, plus a basketball background that hints at his agility. - Nicolas Robertson – OL – 6-3, 355 – Spring, Texas (Klein)
A massive interior lineman, Robertson is rated a national guard prospect and brings serious size at 355 pounds to the Longhorns’ offensive front. - Kaden Scherer – OL – 6-6, 300 – Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
Scherer is a tall tackle prospect with a 6‑6 frame who has competed in track and field and helped anchor the same high school offense as fellow signee Jett Walker. - John Turntine III – OL – 6-4, 270 – Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley)
A four‑star lineman with experience leading a 16‑0 state championship team, Turntine is nationally ranked at tackle and brings winning pedigree from one of Texas’ premier 6A programs.
Front Seven
- Tyler Atkinson – LB – 6-1, 217 – Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson)
Atkinson is one of the nation’s elite defenders, with multiple All‑American honors and eye‑popping tackle, TFL, and sack totals over four varsity seasons at a Georgia powerhouse. - Rocky Cummings – LB – 6-4, 225 – Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad)
A long, three‑star linebacker, Cummings has posted steady production with tackles for loss and sacks, plus occasional work on offense in the passing game. - Kosi Okpala – LB – 6-3, 223 – Houston, Texas (Mayde Creek)
Okpala is a disruptive four‑star edge/linebacker who consistently fills up the stat sheet with tackles for loss, sacks, quarterback hurries and even occasional offensive snaps. - Jamarion Carlton – EDGE – 6-5, 265 – Temple, Texas (Temple)
Carlton is a highly ranked edge defender with strong tackle‑for‑loss and sack production, showing growth each season as a backfield disruptor for Temple. - Richard Wesley – EDGE – 6-4, 245 – Sylmar, Calif. (Sierra Canyon)
A five‑star edge and one of the top overall prospects in his class, Wesley brings high sack and TFL numbers, plus interceptions and offensive touches that underscore his athleticism. - James Johnson – DL – 6-3, 279 – Fort Myers, Fla. (Miami Northwestern)
Johnson is a disruptive interior lineman who posted big tackle‑for‑loss and sack totals earlier in his career and continued to impact games in the backfield after transferring to a storied Miami program.
Secondary
- Toray Davis – DB – 6-1, 190 – Thornton, Colo. (Fairview)
Davis is a four‑star defensive back and all‑around playmaker who produced interceptions, tackles, and big numbers as a rusher and receiver while carrying his team to double‑digit wins. - Hayward Howard Jr. – DB – 6-2, 175 – New Orleans, La. (Edna Karr)
Howard is a long, four‑star corner from a championship‑level program, recognized as one of Louisiana’s top prospects at his position. - Samari Matthews – DB – 6-1, 187 – Charlotte, N.C. (Hough)
A four‑star corner nicknamed “Smoke,” Matthews brings years of steady production with tackles, interceptions, and return ability, plus track experience that reflects his speed. - Yaheim Riley – DB – 6-0, 171 – Miami, Fla. (Anderson – Austin, Texas)
Riley is a three‑star safety with high tackle counts, multiple interceptions, and proven versatility as a receiver and return man after moving into the Austin high‑school scene.
Specialists & Athletes
- Jermaine Bishop Jr. – ATH – 6-0, 160 – Willis, Texas (Willis)
Bishop is an electric five‑star athlete who dominated all over the field, amassing huge receiving numbers, rushing production, return scores, and defensive stats over four varsity seasons. - Mikey Bukauskas – P – 6-2, 205 – Prosper, Texas (Prosper)
A five‑star‑graded punter and No. 1 at his position by a national kicking service, Bukauskas owns All‑American game experience and top‑tier punting evaluations. - Jake Collett – K – 6-0, 180 – Ringgold, Ga. (Heritage)
Collett is a nationally ranked kicker and punter with proven long‑range field goals, strong kickoff distance and touchback numbers, plus All‑State recognition. - Trott O’Neal – LS – 6-1, 235 – The Colony, Texas (Prestonwood Christian)
O’Neal is one of the country’s highest‑rated long snappers, tested in national camps and also experienced as a ball carrier and soccer goalkeeper.
