Soon after witnessing the Texas Longhorns beat rival Texas A&M at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in November, five-star wide receiver Easton Royal announced his commitment to Steve Sarkisian and UT. But since that day, other SEC coaches have been relentlessly trying to get Royal to flip, especially Lane Kiffin and LSU.
Kiffin has intensified his efforts to flip the New Orleans native. Tigers fans typically take it personally if a top in-state prospect doesn’t play at LSU. The program has even formally adopted the phrase “Keep the best in the Boot.”
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LSU’s top 2026 recruit, Lamar Brown, has taken a lead role in trying to keep Royal in state, highlighting Louisiana pride on social media and to forego his pledge to Texas.
Royal does continue to visit the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, which has only encouraged Kiffin to keep trying to flip the elite wide out. Royal’s commitment to Texas came one day before LSU hired the former Ole Miss coach. Kiffin has been trying to flip Royal minute he landed in Baton Rouge.
“All day at school, all of my friends are pushing me to flip to the LSU Tigers,” Royal told Fox 8, New Orleans, last month. “You only get this process once – so I’m committed to Texas, but I’m still trying to figure out if that’s the best decision for me. The ultimate end goal is to make the best decision for my family and me. Coach Lane [Kiffin] and I are building a relationship. He texts me often, just telling me to have a good week—sending me videos, motivating me, and recruiting me to be an LSU Tiger.”
The Tigers hope to offer a bigger NIL package than Texas and LSU has been leaning on connections at Royal’s high school Brother Martin HS. Royal is scheduled to take an official visit to LSU later in May.
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Royal has “reaffirmed” his Texas pledge several times as suitors continue to press. In late December, the New Orleans native said he would continue to take visits, but he was sticking with the Longhorns.
This weekend, the five-star was back in Baton Rouge competing in the LHSAA State Track Meet, where he set a Louisiana state record with a 10.17-second 100-meter dash. Kiffin was at the event and took pictures with Royal.
Royal was seen donning an LSU pullover and made comments insinuating that he could be making another commitment sometime soon.
“I’m going through my OVs, getting all the information,” Royal told Louisiana vs. All Y’all after the track meet. “And depending on how I’m feeling, I wouldn’t put it past me, but there may be another commitment date coming soon. I’m gonna have a final decision date, most likely where I stick with Texas or I flip somewhere else. So have your notifications on.”
Less than 24 hours later, Royal again asserted to the world that he is still a Texas commit.
At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Royal isn’t your prototypical WR prospect. But he had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards with 29 touchdowns, earning Louisiana 5A Offensive MVP honors and first-team all-state. Speed is what separates Royal from the rest. He has posted an unofficial 4.29 in the 40. The fact he just set the state record in the 100-meter shows how fast he is. Louisiana has produced a lot of fast prospects.
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This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. Not until Royal signs on the dotted line on national signing day. But for now, Royal seems intent on making sure the world knows he’s committed to the Longhorns.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: 5-star Easton Royal reaffirms Texas commit despite LSU push
