Texas QB Commit KJ Lacey Shines in Season Opener

Texas Longhorns four-star quarterback commit KJ Lacey put on a show to kick off his senior season.
KJ Lacey
KJ Lacey | Photo Credit: Brooks Austin

In this story:


AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns' future at the quarterback position keeps getting brighter and brighter.

In the 2024 season opener Friday night, Texas 2025 four-star quarterback commit KJ Lacey put on a show for Saraland (Alabama). In a 35-27 win over the Class 4A Jackson Aggies, he posted 317 yards and four touchdowns, which was highlighted by 212 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter, according to On3.

KJ Lace
Saraland's KJ Lacey passes against Mountain Brook during the AHSAA Class 6A State Football Championship Game at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Friday December 2, 2022. | Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

One of these scores was a 65-yard pass that saw Lacey bounce out of the pocket away from pressure before effortlessly flicking the ball down the field to three-star 2025 receiver CD Gill.

Take a look:

At the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles earlier this summer, Lacey, who has been committed to Texas since June 2023, told Texas Longhorns on SI that the Forty Acres feels like home.

“I don’t think there’s a better place to be in the country than Texas right now,” Lacey told Texas Longhorns on SI. “My official visit is right after this ends on the 21st, there’s a couple of big-name targets out there that we want to get, I’ll have fun with that also. ... When you go there you feel like a home, (there are) family vibes. On top of that, it’s not just what they show you there but what you can be when you get there. They’ll develop you to be the best.”

Last season, Lacey went 219 of 315 passing for 3,448 yards and 42 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He also added five rushing touchdowns.

He also shared his thoughts with Texas Longhorns on SI about the connection with Steve Sarkisian, who is arguably one of the top QB-friendly head coaches in college football.

“Having that type of connection out there, all the way around the field everyone being of the same mind, I think it’s going to be really dangerous," Lacey told Texas Longhorns on SI.


Published
Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

Share on XFollow ZachDimmitt7