While Fourth of July festivities ran nationwide on Friday, the college football recruiting world saw massive twists and turns throughout the holiday weekend.
Texas football’s recruiting class of 2026 was amidst chaos as head coach Steve Sarkisian fell short of securing some of the nation’s best talents.
Here’s a breakdown of recruits who made decisions that ultimately impacted the Longhorns in the recruiting scene.
Loss: Felix Ojo
Name, image and likeness has been a popular topic of conversation in college sports for the past couple of seasons, and Ojo’s commitment to Texas Tech is another reason why.
“(Ojo) committed to Texas Tech on Friday upon signing a historic, seven-figure revenue share contract with the Red Raiders,” said Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent and co-founder of Prestige Management.
Shelby said Ojo is “set to join Texas Tech on a fully guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million contract.”
The No. 1 overall offensive tackle and second-best recruit in the Lone Star State initially released a list of his final four schools, consisting of Texas, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida, according to Sports Illustrated.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder from Mansfield, Texas, would have been the Longhorns’ third five-star commitment of the recruitment season.
Loss: Bryce Perry-Wright
While Ojo was lost to in-state competition on July 4, Sarkisian’s recruiting took another loss after Perry-Wright chose rival Texas A&M the following day.
Five-star Perry-Wright is the second-best defensive lineman and fifth-best recruit from Georgia. He chose Texas A&M over Clemson, Miami and Texas, with 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions anticipating the 6-foot-2-inch, 250-pound recruit to join Clemson.
“(Perry-Wright is) a quick-twitched pocket-pusher with impressive get-off and body control that has created negative plays since he was a freshman,” wrote Andrew Ivins, director of scouting at 247Sports.
Loss: Kaydon Finley
Kaydon Finley is the son of Jermichael Finley, a former Longhorn football player and Super Bowl champion. However, Kaydon chose Notre Dame over his father’s alma mater.
“The Irish identified Finley as their No. 1 receiver target in 2024 and never relented in their push,” Eric Thomas wrote in 247Sports. “Despite Texas being the presumed leader early on, by January of 2025, Notre Dame appeared to have overtaken them in front following a visit for Junior Day.”
Tabbed as a four-star recruit, the 33rd-best receiver and 32nd-best player in Texas, the two-time state champion has been a productive receiver for Aledo High School. In his junior campaign, Kaydon broke out with 1,432 yards and 21 touchdowns over 81 receptions. Previously, the 6-foot, 200-pound recruit scored 13 touchdowns across his first two seasons.
Win: John Turntine III
Division I football runs in Turntine’s family, with his father having played on the defensive line for TCU from 1998 to 2002. Now heading to Texas, Turntine’s commitment comes two weeks after his official visit to the Forty Acres on June 20.
Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Turntine is a four-star interior offensive lineman for North Crowley, the reigning 6A Division I state champion.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, Turntine is the fourth-best in his position and seventh-best overall in the Lone Star State.
“(Turntine) displays impressive movement ability coupled with obvious strength and sudden power,” 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks said.
