Steve Sarkisian and Texas Longhorns pushing hard to keep four star defensive recruit away from Texas A&M ahead of key visits
Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are making a strong push to keep four-star linebacker recruit Tai’Yon “Tank” King away from Texas A&M ahead of his key visits. It seems that any opportunity to one-up their in-state rivals is one the Longhorns are eager to seize, and Sarkisian and his team are taking this battle seriously.
Texas A&M appeared to have the upper hand early in the recruitment process, having offered King back in June 2023 and hosting him at several camp events. However, Texas has been working hard to close the gap, focusing on securing as many unofficial visits as possible ahead of King’s final commitment date, likely this summer.
King, a consensus Top 200 recruit, has been steadily gaining momentum, and Texas now seems to be in strong contention for him. As of this weekend, he has scheduled official visits with Texas, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame, which are now his top three schools.
King’s stellar 2024 season only adds to his appeal, as he registered nearly 150 tackles, 20+ tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. With such impressive stats, it’s no surprise that Sarkisian is eager to secure him for the 2026 recruiting class.
There’s still work to be done in the recruitment process, but Sarkisian could have a strong case to make, highlighting Texas’ recent success in developing linebackers for the NFL. Players like DeMarvion Overshown (third-round pick in 2023) and Jaylan Ford (mid-round draft pick) showcase Texas’ ability to send talent to the pros. Additionally, Anthony Hill Jr. is on track to be another high pick in the 2026 draft, further solidifying the Longhorns’ linebacker legacy.
While Texas A&M did send Edgerrin Cooper to the NFL last year, they have struggled to consistently develop linebackers, which could give Texas an advantage. Notre Dame may prove to be a bigger threat than A&M, but this still appears to be a battle between in-state rivals. If Sarkisian can land King, he could become an immediate starter at middle linebacker in 2026.
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