Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is not concerned about his team’s perceived shortcomings on the recruiting trail this cycle.
The Texas Longhorns have faced challenges on the recruiting front during the 2025 cycle.
In recent months, they have missed out on several key targets, with the most significant being five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore from Duncanville (TX), who committed to Oregon earlier this month.
That said, the Longhorns have had some successes as well. Just this month, they’ve secured commitments from four promising players: linebacker Jonathan Cunningham, tight end Nick Townsend, safety Kade Phillips, and edge rusher Smith Orogbo.
Still, they lack the high-profile addition that other programs have made recently, leading to discussions among fans.
Nonetheless, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is not worried and is satisfied with the team’s position as they approach the end of July.
“I’ve never been one to worry about recruiting,” Sarkisian stated during the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention on Monday. “Historically, we tend to finish strong as the season progresses into December. I think much of the summer recruiting is driven by hype, but ultimately, you have to deliver on the field and perform. We trust our process.”
This approach has proven effective during his first three years with the program.
Sarkisian and the Longhorns secured the No. 5 recruiting class nationally in 2022, No. 3 in 2023, and No. 6 in the 2024 cycle. In each of those years, they made significant late additions in December, like Kelvin Banks in 2022, Anthony Hill in 2023, and Xavier Filsaime in 2024.
They also have a history of landing major prospects between August and December. Last cycle alone, five-star recruits Ryan Wingo, Collins Simmons, Kobe Black, Brandon Baker, and Filsaime — the top five rated recruits in the class — all committed after the summer.
Part of the reason for these late commitments is the Longhorns’ careful approach to recruitment, prioritizing cultural fit and character above all else.
In short, it seems that Sarkisian’s process is right on track as usual.
“In the end, I believe we have a solid process in place,” Sarkisian noted. “I want to ensure that the players who commit to us do so for the right reasons, that they are choosing The University of Texas for the right motivations. I’m not saying others are making the wrong choices, but sometimes those decisions reveal themselves over time. For instance, Kelvin Banks wasn’t committed to us at this point when he decided to join us, and he’s now a preseason All-American. Similarly, Anthony Hill wasn’t committed to us at this time either, and he’s become a valuable player for us.”
“When we evaluate our recruiting classes, we ask ourselves: Are we meeting the needs of our roster? Are we building a stronger team for next year? Do these players fit our character and cultural standards?”
So, what lies ahead for the Longhorns?
There are still many key targets to consider, including five-star safety Jonah Williams, five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, five-star receivers Kaliq Lockett and Jaime Ffrench, and five-star athlete Michael Terry III, all of whom are expected to make decisions in the upcoming weeks and months.
Additionally, there are four-star linebacker Madden Faraimo, four-star defensive tackle DJ Sanders, four-star offensive tackle Nick Brooks, and other important targets still in play.
In short, as Sarkisian indicated, there’s no need to worry just yet.
“Going back to my initial point, I’m generally not one to panic about recruiting, especially during June and July,” Sarkisian said. “Let’s revisit this in December and see where we end up.”
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