Steve Sarkisian Names One Thing He Doesn’t Love About Recruiting at Texas originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has achieved considerable success with his team, boasting a 38-17 record and two College Football Playoff appearances.
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However, there is one way that the head coach believed Texas can get even better in and that was through in-state recruiting, per On3’s Adam Gorney.
Out of the Longhorns’ 21 commits from the 2026 class, 10 of them are from Texas. The team’s top in-state commit is four-star inside offensive lineman John Turntine.
The best pledge from the class Texas has is from out of state, in five-star quarterback Dia Bell, who hails from American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian.Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“I would love to not have to leave our state, but inevitably, history tells me we’re not going to sign all the best players every year from the state of Texas,” Sarkisian said. “Some are going to go to other schools within our state, some are going to leave, and at that point, we then have to go find them in other places.”
Despite having in-state recruiting troubles, the Longhorns still have one of the best classes for the 2026 cycle, ranking No. 4 overall via On3 Sports.
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Consistent recruiting has not been an issue for Sarkisian, nor has making the playoff. The Longhorns have made two consecutive trips to the CFP, and the odds favor them making a third.
Circa Sportsbook posted the odds to make the playoff for the SEC, and Texas had the best chance at -350.
Sportsbooks are not the only ones giving Texas a chance, as ESPN’s FPI predicted the Longhorns to win the SEC Championship Game. Texas made the game last season, but lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 22-19 in overtime.
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In-state recruiting is an issue, but Texas seems to be in a good place under Sarkisian.
Related: No. 1 OT Leaning Towards SEC Powerhouse
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
