In one of the most dramatic and high-impact twists of the 2025 college football recruiting cycle, the Texas Longhorns have pulled off a sensational recruiting coup that is already sending shockwaves across the SEC and the entire college football landscape. Oscar Delp, the nation’s No. 1 tight end and a consensus 5-star prospect, has officially flipped his long-standing commitment from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Texas Longhorns in a blockbuster decision that immediately reshapes the future trajectory of Steve Sarkisian’s program.
Delp, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound offensive weapon out of West Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia, had been a cornerstone of Georgia’s top-tier recruiting class. For months, he was regarded as a lock to follow in the footsteps of the Bulldogs’ recent tight end legends such as Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. But in a surprise announcement made via a live stream on social media and confirmed by multiple sources close to the recruitment, Delp made the call to leave the SEC East powerhouse behind and instead bring his talents to Austin, stunning Georgia fans and coaches alike.
Texas beat out a slew of elite programs that were still heavily in pursuit of Delp, including Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida. Each had ramped up their efforts in recent weeks as signs of Delp’s wavering commitment began to quietly surface. Still, very few expected the Longhorns—who had only recently entered serious contention—to surge ahead in such dramatic fashion and ultimately secure the flip that has instantly elevated their 2025 class into national title contention.
Delp’s recruitment had long been the subject of national headlines. He’s not just a prototypical tight end—he’s the new mold. With elite receiving skills, blazing speed for his size, and the physicality to dominate as an in-line blocker, Delp represents a mismatch nightmare at every level of the field. His combination of athleticism and technique has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like Travis Kelce and George Kittle. As a junior, he hauled in over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, often lining up as both a traditional tight end and a hybrid slot receiver. Scouts have consistently praised his route-running ability, strong hands, and football IQ, making him one of the most complete prospects at his position in recent memory.
This move is more than just a recruiting win. It’s a statement.
Texas is officially back—and not just on the field, where the Longhorns are coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance—but on the recruiting trail, where they are now competing and winning against the sport’s most entrenched bluebloods. For Sarkisian and his staff, this marks one of their biggest wins since taking over in Austin. The Longhorns had been quietly building momentum behind the scenes, with tight ends coach Jeff Banks playing a pivotal role in developing a strong relationship with Delp and his family. According to sources familiar with the recruitment, it was Texas’ offensive vision and its genuine commitment to utilizing tight ends in dynamic, pro-style schemes that ultimately swayed Delp.
“The coaching staff at Texas didn’t just make promises,” Delp said in his announcement. “They showed me exactly how I would be used in their offense, how they plan to develop me for the next level, and what kind of legacy I could leave there. It wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from Georgia, but in my heart, I knew Texas was the place I needed to be.”
Delp’s flip is also a huge validation of Texas’ aggressive and strategic approach to NIL. While Delp made it clear that his decision was primarily about scheme fit and player development, sources indicated that Texas’ NIL infrastructure—spearheaded by the Longhorns’ forward-thinking collective—played a role in helping seal the deal. In today’s college football landscape, programs must align on-field opportunity with off-field value, and Texas has proven it can do both at the highest level.
Georgia, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly. Delp’s decommitment leaves a major void at a position that has been one of the program’s biggest strengths in recent years. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are not short on talent, but Delp was seen as the heir apparent in a tight end room that has powered much of Georgia’s offensive identity. Replacing him won’t be easy, and with Alabama, Tennessee, and Ole Miss also making recruiting pushes of their own, the Bulldogs now find themselves playing defense in a way they rarely have to.
For Texas, Delp’s arrival could be transformative. He instantly becomes one of the centerpieces of the Longhorns’ 2025 class, which now ranks in the top three nationally and may push for the No. 1 spot by signing day. He’ll join a cast of other elite offensive talent, including 5-star quarterback Trey Owens and 4-star running back Isaiah Mendoza, giving Sarkisian a versatile, explosive group capable of running multiple sets and keeping opposing defenses guessing.
Delp’s impact will be felt beyond just the offense, though. His commitment sends a message to other recruits—especially in the Southeast—that Texas is a legitimate destination for elite talent. The fact that he chose to leave Georgia, a program known for developing tight ends into first-round picks, speaks volumes about the kind of momentum Texas has quietly built. There’s a cultural shift underway in Austin, and Delp’s flip is both a symptom and a symbol of that transformation.
For the fan base, this is yet another reason to believe that Texas is on the cusp of returning to college football’s elite. The Longhorns have long had the infrastructure, resources, and branding to compete at the highest level. Now, they are stacking the type of recruiting wins that translate directly into championships. With Delp now on board, the Longhorns have the kind of dynamic offensive chess piece who can tilt the field in their favor—and help lead a new era of Texas dominance in the SEC.
Delp is expected to enroll early in January, allowing him to participate in spring ball and begin the process of acclimating to the Longhorns’ system. Coaches are already buzzing about how they plan to use him in multiple formations, including two-tight end sets and flex roles that will allow him to exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties. With his work ethic and maturity—traits praised universally by coaches and scouts—Delp could be a contributor from day one.
His commitment also represents a generational moment for Texas recruiting. In flipping Delp from Georgia, the Longhorns have shown they can go toe-to-toe with the SEC’s best and win battles that once seemed out of reach. This is no longer the Texas program that occasionally flirted with relevance. This is a Texas program that is asserting itself as a new SEC power—a program capable of reaching the College Football Playoff and winning national championships.
Delp’s journey to Austin may have shocked the college football world, but for those inside the Longhorns program, it’s the result of tireless work, elite vision, and an unwavering belief in the future they’re building.
As one Texas staffer told reporters moments after the announcement: “This isn’t just a win. This is a warning shot. We’re coming for everybody.”
