“Inside Texas Junior Day: Big Names, Bold Moves, and Early Commit Buzz!”

Texas Longhorns Open 2026 Recruiting Cycle with Star-Studded Junior Day

Reporting live from Austin, Texas

The Texas Longhorns have officially turned the page to the 2026 recruiting cycle, hosting an electrifying Junior Day this past weekend. Blue-chip recruits and high-priority targets flooded into Austin, giving head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff an early boost as they look to build on their recent recruiting dominance.

Coming off a stellar run to the College Football Playoff Semifinals and securing the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025, Sarkisian is determined to keep the momentum rolling.


QB Commit Dia Bell: The Face of the Class

The centerpiece of Texas’ 2026 recruiting efforts is elite quarterback commit Dia Bell. A Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, Bell racked up 2,597 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 561 rushing yards, and five additional rushing scores last season. As the son of former NBA player Raja Bell, the young quarterback isn’t just talented—he’s also taking on a leadership role.

Over the weekend, Bell turned recruiter, actively engaging with key offensive line targets like Felix Ojo, Max Wright, Zaden Krempin, and Pupungatoa Katoa. Texas is prioritizing the tackle position, especially after failing to flip Michael Fasusi from Oklahoma in the 2025 cycle.

Among the top targets, Melissa, Texas, offensive tackle Max Wright praised the visit, saying, “I had a great time on this visit just like every other time.”


Three Blue-Chip Recruits Trending Toward Texas

The Longhorns generated significant buzz for three major targets following the weekend. Four-star EDGE rusher Jamarion Carlton, four-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, and four-star safety Chace Calicut are now trending toward Texas after their visits.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong logged predictions for the Longhorns to land all three. Carlton, ranked No. 30 nationally and No. 5 among EDGE rushers, would bolster the defensive line, while Ojo and Calicut bring elite talent to their respective positions. Both Carlton and Ojo are seen as premium recruits in high-demand positions.


Offensive Line Prospect Pupungatoa Katoa Narrows His List

In more good news for offensive line coach Kyle Flood, highly sought-after lineman Pupungatoa Katoa included Texas in his top five schools, alongside Oklahoma, SMU, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Following his visit, Katoa is expected to make official trips to each program, with Tennessee already lined up for June.

Texas is a strong contender for Katoa, as Flood continues his tradition of recruiting “big humans” who can dominate in the trenches. With the Longhorns expected to send offensive linemen Kelvin Banks and Cameron Williams to the NFL Draft this spring, the addition of Katoa could further solidify the future of Texas’ offensive line.


Texas Legacy Kaydon Finley Visits Notre Dame

One notable storyline from the weekend was Kaydon Finley, a top wide receiver prospect and the son of former Longhorn tight end Jermichael Finley. While Texas hoped to host Finley, he instead visited Notre Dame.

Despite the detour to South Bend, the Longhorns remain in strong contention for the Aledo, Texas, standout. Finley’s ties to Texas, coupled with his familiarity with the program, suggest that his recruitment is far from over.


Top Running Backs Visit Austin

The Longhorns also hosted two of the nation’s top five running backs, both of whom hail from Texas. KJ Edwards (Carthage) and Javian Osborne (Forney) are both ranked in the top 100 nationally and represent major targets for running backs coach Tashard Choice. With the Longhorns’ history of producing NFL-caliber backs, Texas is making a strong case for these elite playmakers.


Building Momentum

Texas’ successful Junior Day has laid the groundwork for another elite recruiting class. With Steve Sarkisian leveraging on-field success and NFL development, the Longhorns are positioning themselves as a top destination for the nation’s best talent. Expect the momentum to carry through the summer as official visits roll in.

Stay tuned for updates as the 2026 recruiting picture unfolds!

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