Texas Longhorns Early Signing Day Tracker: Every Player Coming to the Program in 2026

The Texas Longhorns have not had the season that many anticipated they would, after starting the season at No. 1 overall and the heavy favorites to win the national title.

Since then, they have fallen to 9-3 overall, including a loss to now No. 1 Ohio State, a 4-8 Florida team, and No. 3 Georgia.

Despite that, Texas is still on the cusp of College Football Playoff contention. Though that goal seems to be unattainable after the latest rankings, the hope is there.

Thus, Texas opened the Early Signing Day period with a lot on the line. It currently holds the No. 7 overall class in the country and the No. 3 class in the SEC, and needs to finish strong in order to help maintain its momentum heading into the bowl season and beyond.

Thus far, they have done just that, with some of the top players in the 2026 class currently committed to the program.

Follow along as the Longorns builds their 2026 recruiting class during the Early Signing Period. This real-time tracker features every official signee, individual breakdowns, position group insights, and how the class stacks up nationally.

Follow along below:

Full List of 2026 Early Signees

Texas Longhorns five-star quarterback Dia Bell | @DiaBell3QB1 - X

Name	Position	Height/Weight	High School	Home Town	247Sports Rating	Rivals Industry Rating	ESPN Rating
Dia Bell	QB	6-2.5/ 220	American Heritage	Fort Lauderdale, FL	★★★★★	★★★★★+	★★★★★
Richard Wesley	EDGE	6-4.5/ 244	Sierra Canyon	Los Angeles, CA	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
Tyler Atkinson	LB	6-2/ 205	Grayson	Lawrenceville, GA	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
Jermain Bishop	ATH	5-11/155	Willis	Willis, TX	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
Derrek Cooper	RB	6-0.5/ 210	Chaminade-Madonna Prep	Hollywood, FL	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
John Turntine III	OL	6-3.5/ 260	North Crowley	Fort Worth, TX	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
James Johnson	DL	6-2.5/285	Northwestern	Miami, FL	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Jamarion Carlton	EDGE	6-4.5/ 250	Temple	Temple, TX	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Samari Matthews	CB	6-0/ 180	William Amos Hough	Huntersville, NC	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Kosi Okpala	LB/EDGE	6-1.5/ 215	Mayde Creek	Katy, TX	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Hayward Howard Jr.	CB	6-2/ 165	Edna Karr	New Orleans, LA	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Chris Stewart	WR	6-0/ 175	Shadow Creek	Pearland, TX	★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Toray Davis	SAF	6-2/ 180	Fairview	Boulder, CO	★★★	★★★★	★★★
Nicolas Robertson	IOL	6-3.5/ 300	Klein	Spring, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★★
Kohen Brown	WR	5-11.5/ 189	Waxahachie	Waxahachie, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★
Rocky Cummings	LB	6-3.5/ 220	Carlsbad	Carlsbad, CA	★★★	★★★	★★★
Jett Walker	RB	6-2/ 205	Georgetown	Georgetown, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★
Yaheim Riley	DB	6-0 Weight 175	Anderson	Austin, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★
Kaden Scherer	OT	6-6/ 275	Georgetown	Georgetown, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★
Charlie Jilek	TE	6-5/ 240	Portage Central	Portage, MI	★★★	★★★	★★★
Mikey Bukauskas	P	6-3/ 205	Prosper	Prosper, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★
Jake Collett	K	6-0/ 175	Heritage	Ringgold, GA	★★★	★★★	★★★
Trott O'Neal	LS	6-2/ 235	Prestonwood Christian	Plano, TX	★★★	★★★	★★★

Full Class

John Turntine III | John Turntine III Instagram

Dia Bell, QB - American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

● Height/Weight: 6-2.5 / 215
● Star Rating: ★★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 4
● Notable Offers: LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Florida
○ Strengths: Mechanics, Arm, Pocket Presence, Touch
○ Comparison/System Fit: Dante Moore, Joe Burrow
● Coach’s Quote: "I think the thing about Dia he is a natural passer of the football," Sarkisian said. "And you watch him play, we've had him in camp. We've been around him in person. He's a natural passer. He has a great feel for the game. The other thing we really love about him is his competitive spirit... He's a highly competitive young man. He's a, he's a football junkie. He's a sport junkie. He works out. He works his tail off. And so I just think his leadership, his personality, his ability, but probably most importantly, his competitive spirit. These are things that we're definitely very excited about."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Jermaine Bishop, ATH - Willis (Willis, TX)

● Height/Weight: 5-11 / 155
● Star Rating: ★★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 2
● Notable Offers: List 2–3 key competing schools
○ Strengths: speed, versatility, explosiveness, agility, hands
○ Comparison/System Fit: Travis Hunter, Jordan Addison
● Coach’s Quote: "Jermaine, obviously, from a high school snapshot, is more has more than enough ability to play on either side of the ball," Sarkisian said. "We're going to have to get a sense and a feel for him. He has the ability to do either. I'm not so consumed with Is he better at one than the other, but somewhere in his heart, which one is it going to be for him? We're going to give him the opportunity to do that, and I'm going to give my honest assessment. You know, I've got to see him live. I got to work with him and feel where he's better suited early on in his career, and navigate him down one road to do the bulk of what he does, and then offset that with some of the things he does on the other side of the ball. Obviously, he's an electric player with the ball in his hands. The guy scores touchdowns like that's that's almost like, that's what he does for a living. But yet, you watch him play DB, he can guard people, you know, he can guard people. He's physical and he can play the game. So it's a good problem to have."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Tyler Atkinson - Grayson (Loganville, GA)

● Height/Weight: 6-2 / 210
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 2
● Notable Offers: Georgia, Oregon, Clemson
○ Strengths: instincts, athleticism, length, football IQ.
○ Comparison/System Fit: Roquon Smith
● Coach’s Quote: "I think we hit a home run at the linebacker position," Sarkisian said.
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Kosi Okpala, LB - Mayde Creek (Houston, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-2 / 230
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 9
● Notable Offers: Miami, Penn State, Baylor
○ Strengths: Explosiveness
○ Comparison/System Fit: Projects as a BUCK edge rusher or linebacker similar to Trey Moore or Brad Spence
● Coach’s Quote: "Very versatile guy who can play off the edge and at linebacker with great length," Sarkisian said.
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Richard Wesley, EDGE - Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)

● Height/Weight: 6-5 / 250
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 11
● Notable Offers: Oregon, Georgia, Miami
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: speed, physicality, pass rush, toughness
○ Comparison/System Fit: Kayvon Thibodeaux
● Coach’s Quote: "This guy is 6-4, 245, and he's 16 years old. I'm fascinated by him and the fact that he's going to be here in a few weeks. His demeanor is not that of a 16-year-old."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Samari Matthews, CB - Hough (Cornelius, NC)

● Height/Weight: 6-0.5 / 190
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 11
● Notable Offers: Clemson, Florida State, Alabama
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: confidence, size, physicality, press coverage
○ Comparison/System Fit: Projects as a boundary corner in the Texas system
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Derrek Cooper, RB - Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)

● Height/Weight: 6-1 / 205
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 10
● Notable Offers: Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: speed, size, power, cutting ability.
○ Comparison/System Fit: Raheim Sanders
● Player Quote: “I want the fans to remember me as the Doak Walker and Heisman winner, and just one of the top backs to ever come through (Texas)," Cooper said.
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Jamarion Carlton, EDGE - Temple (Temple, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-4.5 / 260
● Star Rating: ★★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 21
● Notable Offers: Baylor, LSU, Texas Tech
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: speed, physicality, athleticism, size
○ Comparison/System Fit: Alex Wright (Cleveland Browns)
● Coach’s Quote: "He's another guy who, you know, just watching his development over, over the past couple years, from where he was a couple years ago to now, you know, six, five, just under 270 pounds. What's he going to look like in two years?" Sarkisian said. "You know, and so we're pumped to have him. I think he's a guy. I'm glad we stuck with it and continue to recruit him. And in the end, you know, he made the decision to be a Longhorn, and we couldn't be more excited about it."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

James Johnson, DL - Northwestern (Miami, FL)

● Height/Weight: 6-2.5 / 285
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 24
● Notable Offers: Georgia, Florida, Florida State
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: explosiveness, size, strength
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as an explosive interior lineman in the vein of Maraad Watson for Texas
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

John Turntine III, IOL - North Crowley (Fort Worth, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-4/270
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 19
● Notable Offers: Michigan, Alabama, Texas A&M
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: versatility, athleticism, mechanics
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a guard or center but can also play tackle.
● Player Quote: "I want to make an impact and help them win multiple games, maybe a national championship," Turntine said. "Remember me for being fast and violent, and not just another player."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Hayward Howard, Jr., CB - Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA)

● Height/Weight: 6-2 / 175
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 28
● Notable Offers: Colorado, Auburn, Florida
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: physicality, length
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a boundary corner, such as Malik Muhammad,
● Player Quote: “I want to be the best cornerback that has been at Texas and leave a good mark for the next one behind me.”
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Toray Davis, SAF - Fairview (Boulder, CO)

● Height/Weight: 6-1 / 185
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 26
● Notable Offers: Washington, UCLA, Utah
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: hands, frame, size, physicality, run defense.
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a Power 4 safety, that can play in coverage or in the box.
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Chris Stewart, WR - Shadow Creek (Pearland, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-0 / 175
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 46
● Notable Offers: Tennessee, Alabama, Arizona State
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: speed, acceleration, YAC
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a slot receiver
● Coach’s Quote: "I want to set records that nobody probably believes," Stewart said. "Do something that nobody has ever done before."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Rocky Cummings, LB - Carlsbad (Carlsbad, CA)

● Height/Weight: 6-4 / 220
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 50
● Notable Offers: Utah, Arizona, California
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: physicality, football IQ, hands
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a hybrid edge/linebacker
● Coach’s Quote: "This guy's growth and evolution into his senior year, the length that he has, his ability to play off the ball, linebacker, and off the edge, was big for us."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Nicolas Robertson - Klein (Spring, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-3 / 335
● Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 68
● Notable Offers: Alabama, Baylor, Arkansas
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: size, physicality
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects on the interior of the offensive line
● Player Quote: "I'm definitely an aggressive player," Robertson said. "I like to hit you straight in the mouth any chance I get."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Kohen Brown, WR - Waxahachie (Waxahachie, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-0 / 190
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 76
● Notable Offers: Auburn, Arizona, Utah
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: explosion, suddenness, vertical threat
○ Comparison/System Fit: Gavin Holmes (Baylor)
● Coach’s Quote:
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Jett Walker, RB - Georgetown (Georgetown, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-2 / 215
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 45
● Notable Offers: Minnesota, Houston, West Virginia
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: size, power, physicality, deceptive speed.
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a between-the-tackles runner
● Coach’s Quote: "Here's another guy - I'm remiss for not touching on him - 6-1, 210, very athletic, great hands, tough, smart. A guy we think can be very versatile, whether it's utilizing a tradition at the traditional running back position, whether it gives us a little more flexibility to get some of our two back stuff where you can use him there."
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Yaheim Riley, SAF - Austin Anderson (Austin, TX)

● Height/Weight:
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 103
● Notable Offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: speed, ball skills, coverage
○ Comparison/System Fit: projects as a safety in the Texas defense
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Charlie Jilek, TE - Portage Central (Portage, MI)

● Height/Weight: 6-5 / 230
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 102
● Notable Offers: Minnesota, San Diego State, UCF
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: blocking, physicality, athleticism
○ Comparison/System Fit: versatile two-way player who projects as a tight end for Texas.
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Kaden Scherer, OL - Georgetown (Georgetown, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-5.5 / 285
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 92
● Notable Offers: Stanford, Kansas State, Northwestern
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: Football IQ, technical skills, leverage, footwork
○ Comparison/System Fit: could play tackle or guard for Texas
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Mikey Bukauskas - Prosper (Prosper, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-3 / 205
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 4
● Notable Offers: Clemson, SMU, North Texas
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: NA
○ Comparison/System Fit: NA
● Coach’s Quote: “We’re getting a national championship in the next 4 years. Something big is about to happen.”
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Jake Collett - Heritage (Ringgold, GA)

● Height/Weight: 6-0 / 175
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 5
● Notable Offers: Army, UConn
● Scouting Report:
○ Strengths: NA
○ Comparison/System Fit: NA
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Trott O'Neal, LS - Prestonwood Christian (Plano, TX)

● Height/Weight: 6-2 / 235
● Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 4
● Notable Offers: Texas, Air Force
● Scouting Report:
○ Comparison/System Fit: Long Snapper
● Coach’s Quote: “I’m driven. I like to keep my head down and keep going.”
● Enrollment status: SIGNED

Position-by-Position Breakdown

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts after beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Offense

Offensively, the Longhorns landed some talented players at key positions, including arguably the top quarterback prospect in the country in five-star QB Dia Bell. They also landed one of the nation's top running backs in five-star Derrek Cooper, who comes in at a key position of need for the Longhorns in the future, and one of the nation's most explosive athletes with five-star Jermaine Bishop Jr., who projects as a Travis Hunter-type receiver.

The Longhorns also landed a pair of talented receivers in Chris Stewart and Kohen Brown, while grabbing some talented offensive linemen for the future with John Turntine III, Nicolas Robertson, and Kaden Scherer.

Defense

The defensive side of the ball is where the Longhorns really did their work, grabbing a pair of five-stars in linebacker Tyler Atkison and edge rusher Richard Wesley. They also brought in other talented defenders such as linebacker Kosi Okpala, edge rusher Jamarion Carlton, defensive tackles Corey Wells and James Johnson, corner Samari Matthews, and safety Toray Davis, who was a late flip from UCLA.

Okpala might be the most interesting player of the group, as he can play linebacker or edge rusher. Meanwhile, Atkinson and Wesley are immediate impact-type players that come in at key positions. Johnson is also one of the most talented interior defenders in the class, with major upside.

Top Commitments in the Class

Texas Longhorn QB Commit Dia Bell at the Elite 11 Finals | Brooks Austin - On SI

For the Longhorns, the top commitments are without a doubt Bell, Cooper, Wesley, Atkinson, Johnson and Bishop.

Bell picked the Longhorns over a long line of offers from blue blood programs, including LSU and Georgia, and might have a higher upside than even Arch Manning when it's all said and done.

Cooper is big, quick, and a one-cut-type back that Sarkisian loves to feature in his offenses. He will play immediately.

As for Atkinson, he projects as a Roquan Smith clone, and should step in from Day 1 and play meaningful football as the Longhorns try to replace Anthony Hill. He was coveted by the Georgia Bulldogs.

Much in the same way, Johnson was a Georgia want in a big way, and should be the next great in a long line of Texas interior linemen.

Wesley, who reclassified from the 2027 to the 2026 class, is a player who should also play very quickly. He was originally committed to Oregon and flipped to Texas earlier this year.

Finally, Bishop might be the most intriguing prospect in the class, he is a two-way player, return extrordinare and a player that could have a Travis Hunter-type impact when it's all said and done. He is one of the most productive players in Texas high school football history.

Recruiting Surprises, Flips & Misses

Chris Henry Jr. was at Ohio Stadium to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Michigan Wolverines in an NCAA football game on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024. | Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The biggest surprise for the Longhorns has to be Toray Davis, who made a late flip from UCLA. Atkison, Johnson and Wesley were all major surprises as well when they committed over the summer. The same goes for Wesley after his flip from Oregon.

The Longhorns were also on the wrong end of a flip, with DL Vodney Cleveland changing his commitment to North Carolina on Wednesday morning. It is not a massive loss for the Horns, however, who simply did not want to invest as much into his commitment as North Carolina did. Defensive tackle Corey Wells also flipped to Auburn.

The biggest miss for the Horns has to be five-star Panther Creek (Frisco, TX) wide receiver Jalen Lott. He is a Texas legacy and a player the Horns coveted dearly.

Five-star Mansfield Lake Ridge (Mansfield, TX) offensive tackle Felix Ojo, who committed to Texas Tech, was also a critical miss for Texas, while five-star Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) receiver Chris Henry Jr., and IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) edge Jake Kreul, were also heartbreakers for the Longhorns.

Historical Context & Class Ranking

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers celebrates with head coach Steve Sarkisian | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Overall, this wasn't the typical top-5 class from Sarkisian, and a far departure from the No. 1 overall class the Longhorns finished with last season. That said, it is still an extremely talented and deep class that finished No. 7 overall in the country behind USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama, which is a fine spot to be.

More importantly, the lack of overwhelming NIL commitment leaves the Longhorns an opportunity to hit the transfer portal hard this offseason to plug some key holes on a roster that will have some turnover - particularly at key positions along the offensive line.

Texas Over the Years Under Sarkisian

2021 - 14th (2nd Big 12)
2022 - 5th (1st Big 12)
2023 - 3rd (1st Big 12)
2024 - 6th (3rd SEC)
2025 - 1st (1st SEC)
2026 - 7th (3rd SEC)