Texas Longhorns Emerging As Serious Contenders For Top 2026 Recruit

After a visit in Austin for one of the top linebacker recruits in the country , the Longhorns have become front-runners

Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) runs with the ball against Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) during the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

After a visit in Austin with Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns, Brayden Rouse, one of the top linebackers in the country, had high praises from his trip.

"The way this visit went, it made me feel like I was a priority for them," Rouse told Sam Spielgelman from Rivals.com of his visit to the 40 Acres.

Speigelman also added that Texas had emerged as serious contenders after the weekend visit for the top prospect.

The 2026 fourth-ranked linebacker in the country according to 247 sports, currently holds an offer from the Longhorns. The Georgia native has visited Alabama three times, while visiting Georgia Tech and Michigan twice so far through the recruiting cycle. He currently has visits scheduled for Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee this summer.

Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) celebrates a quarterback sack on fourth down in the second quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 1, 2025. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rouse is a two sport athlete for his school who only started playing the defensive side of the ball during his sophomore year of high school. His stats from his career so far have been eye catching, totaling 112 tackles, six pass deflections, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

The top-100 prospect has proven to be an athlete anywhere on the field, totaling 552 yards on 39 receptions in his career, but he isn't just a pure athlete on the football field either. The Marietta native helped his high school win the basketball state championship while playing the power forward position for them.

Rouse would be a great add to the 2026 recruiting class should he choose to commit, allowing his athleticism to be used at any linebacker position. The Longhorns are still looking for their first commitment on the defensive side of the ball.

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