In a dramatic shift that’s sending shockwaves throughout the college football world, the Texas Longhorns have surged to the No. 1 spot in the 2025 national recruiting rankings. Long overshadowed by perennial recruiting giants such as Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State, Texas has finally stormed to the top thanks to an elite class brimming with five-star power, strategic investments in recruiting infrastructure, and aggressive use of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities.
This seismic development is more than just a bragging right. It signals a potential realignment in college football’s power structure, especially as Texas prepares to entrench itself in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Texas Is Back — At Least in Recruiting
For decades, the slogan “Texas is back” has been tossed around as a hopeful mantra for fans of the Longhorns. Often, those declarations were premature. But in 2025, Texas isn’t just back—they’re dominating. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, entering his fifth year at the helm, has secured the program’s most impressive class in over a decade.
The current 2025 class features:
- Five 5-star commits, including consensus top safety Jonah Williams, offensive tackle Zion Ragland, and quarterback Malachi Nelson II (a California prodigy with comparisons to Patrick Mahomes).
- Thirteen 4-star recruits, led by elite linebacker Jayden Barlow and wide receiver sensation Jett Thomas.
- Seven 3-star players, many of whom are underrated regional talents that Texas staff believe can outperform their rankings.
All told, this gives Texas 25 total commitments, many of them early enrollees ready to make an impact from day one.
How Did Texas Leap to No. 1?
The journey to the top didn’t happen overnight. It required calculated risk-taking, culture-building, and massive financial backing. Let’s break down the major factors that contributed to Texas overtaking traditional recruiting powers:
1. NIL Power Moves
Texas boosters, led by high-profile collectives like the Texas One Fund, have revolutionized the school’s NIL infrastructure. While other programs were hesitant to embrace NIL, Texas went full throttle. From curated business partnerships to community outreach incentives, Longhorn recruits see a clear financial path from the moment they step on campus.
According to multiple insiders, Texas has structured NIL packages that reward players for both performance and engagement. Some five-star recruits are rumored to have secured deals in the seven-figure range—legal under NCAA rules if handled transparently.
2. SEC Effect
The upcoming full-time integration into the SEC has been a potent recruiting pitch. For recruits, it means a chance to face the best of the best, week in and week out. Texas coaches have effectively framed the move as a gateway to the NFL. The message: “Come to Texas, dominate the SEC, and launch your pro career.”
The Longhorns also emphasize their media exposure and historic brand power. With the SEC Network, ESPN, and more prominent primetime slots, Texas promises a spotlight few programs can match.
3. Elite Staff and Development Pitch
Steve Sarkisian’s staff includes NFL-experienced position coaches and recruiting masterminds. From defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to quarterback whisperer AJ Milwee, Texas has built a pipeline of player development.
Recruits consistently cite player development as one of their top priorities. The ability to show recent NFL draft success (including Quinn Ewers and Xavier Worthy) adds credibility to Texas’ pitch.
4. State Domination and National Reach
For the first time in a long while, Texas is regaining its stranglehold on in-state recruiting. They’ve beaten out Texas A&M, LSU, and even Alabama for several elite Texas high school players. At the same time, the Longhorns have successfully dipped into California, Georgia, and Florida.
Key commits like Malachi Nelson II from Los Angeles and defensive lineman Trevon Coates from Atlanta underscore Texas’ coast-to-coast appeal.
How the Rankings Stand in May 2025
As of late May 2025, the updated recruiting rankings based on composite data from On3, 247Sports, and Rivals place the following teams at the top:
- Texas Longhorns
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Oregon Ducks
- Michigan Wolverines
- LSU Tigers
- Florida Gators
- Auburn Tigers
- Texas A&M Aggies
The fact that SEC teams account for 6 of the top 10 spots is no coincidence. The conference remains the heart of college football—and Texas is now a beating part of that heart.
Spotlight on Texas’ Star Recruits
Here’s a closer look at the faces of this record-setting Longhorn class:
Jonah Williams (S) – Duncanville, TX
Rated as the No. 1 safety in the country, Williams is a ball hawk with linebacker strength. Texas beat out Georgia and Alabama for his signature—a symbolic and practical recruiting victory.
Zion Ragland (OT) – Buford, GA
A 6’7”, 330-pound offensive lineman with elite footwork, Ragland is projected to start as a freshman. Georgia wanted him. Texas got him.
Malachi Nelson II (QB) – Los Angeles, CA
Perhaps the crown jewel of the class, Nelson’s game is a blend of Caleb Williams and Vince Young. His arm strength, improvisational skills, and charisma have already electrified Longhorn Nation.
⚡ Jett Thomas (WR) – Austin, TX
Thomas stayed home, choosing Texas over Oregon and USC. With 4.3 speed and dazzling agility, he’s expected to contribute in the slot immediately.
Implications for the Future
Texas’ surge to No. 1 is more than symbolic—it could reshape the trajectory of college football for the next decade. Here’s how:
A Shift in National Power
Programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State have long operated in the top tier of college football due to consistent top-3 recruiting. Texas joining that tier creates a new “Big Four.”
The NIL Arms Race
Other programs will feel pressure to match Texas’ NIL sophistication. Schools with weaker alumni networks or slower collective development may fall behind.
Retention and Development Will Matter More Than Ever
Stacking a class is one thing. Keeping it intact is another. Texas’ player development program and locker room culture will be under the microscope. Portal attrition could offset recruiting wins if not managed carefully.
What About the Competition?
Alabama
The Crimson Tide remain strong but have missed out on some top Texas targets. Kalen DeBoer’s transition following Nick Saban’s retirement is progressing well, but the recruiting machine has slowed slightly.
Georgia
Kirby Smart isn’t sweating—yet. Georgia still has a top-3 class and is in the mix for several uncommitted five-stars. However, losing Jonah Williams and Ragland to Texas hurts.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are excelling in skill position recruiting but have struggled with trench warfare this cycle. Texas poaching Malachi Nelson II disrupted Ryan Day’s QB plans for 2026 and beyond.
Oregon
Dan Lanning has built a recruiting juggernaut in Eugene. But even he acknowledged recently that competing with SEC-level NIL infrastructure is “a different challenge.”
Final Word: Can Texas Sustain It?
Texas fans have reason to celebrate. A No. 1 recruiting class is a monumental achievement. But with it comes expectation. History is full of teams that “won” the offseason and flopped when it counted.
If Sarkisian and company can turn these elite recruits into conference titles and playoff wins, Texas will cement itself as a new-era powerhouse.
But college football is a cruel arena. The same boosters fueling Texas’ rise today will demand results tomorrow.
And with the eyes of the college football world now fixed firmly on Austin, the pressure is only just beginning.
