Since his hiring in 2021, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns have not finished outside the top 10 in a high school recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
Sarkisian may have been hired for his offensive play-calling, but his ability to cultivate talent has been a major reason for Texas’ success and trips to the College Football Playoff the past two seasons.
The Texas coaching staff has been able to find high school players who get on the field early and blend right in with college talent.
This season, freshman cornerback Graceson Littleton has stepped up, tied for the team leader in interceptions and played in every game this season. Freshman edge Lance Jackson graded out as the highest Longhorn defender by Pro Football Focus in the Red River Rivalry, recording half a sack and four pressures.
Freshmen standing out has not been a unique showing for a Sarkisian-led squad. Sophomore edge Colin Simmons won the Shawn Alexander Freshman of the Year award in 2024 when he was top 20 in the nation with nine sacks. Junior left tackle Kelvin Banks was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the Associated Press in 2022.
The Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation by 247Sports, with the early signing period approaching soon between Dec. 3-5. Here are some names to get familiar with before national signing dates.
Dia Bell — Five-star quarterback, American Heritage High School — Plantation, Florida
The 2024-2025 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year in football, Bell is the son of 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell, and, like his father, played basketball in high school as well.
Bell helped lead American Heritage to a Florida Class 4A State Championship and began this season with over 600 total yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Unfortunately for Bell, the past two years have ended early due to injury — he suffered a leg injury in the semifinals of the state playoffs in 2024 and underwent a “minor procedure,” for which he announced he would miss the remainder of this season on Sept. 14.
Derrek Cooper — Four-star running back, Chaminade-Madonna High School — Hollywood, Florida
Standing at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Cooper has begun his senior season averaging nine yards per carry, totaling 506 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Over the past two weeks, Cooper has uniquely shown his speed and power in spurts. Against the Monarch Knights, Cooper ripped up the middle of the field for a 95-yard touchdown run, streaking through the defense after running through a one arm tackle attempt.
Against the Blanche Ely Tigers, Cooper left a wake of defenders as he trampled through the defense for a 33-yard gain.
Jermaine Bishop — Five-star athlete, Willis High School — Willis, Texas
The definition of the athlete position being a designation in recruiting, Bishop fills the stat sheet. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds, Bishop is mainly a wide receiver, but this season, he has also rushed the ball in six games, played defensive back in four, returned kicks in three, punted in two and attempted passes in one.
Against the Woodlands Highlanders, Bishop was hard to miss because he was literally all over the field.
In the air, Bishop went 1-2 for 21 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, he had 20 carries for 258 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Then, as a receiver, he reeled in three receptions for 14 yards.
Flipping to the other side of the field, he came down with five tackles and filled in as a punter with five punts for 195 yards, including one inside the 20.
