Texas Longhorns Stumble Again as Top Recruit Chooses Georgia Bulldogs!

Fort Myers, Florida, USA - The Texas Longhorns are finding themselves on the wrong end of a few key recruiting battles, losing out on notable prospects just as the 2025 college football recruiting cycle heats up. In a turn of events, defensive tackle James Johnson has decided to join the Georgia Bulldogs, marking another setback for the Longhorns as they strive to build a competitive roster.

According to Burnt Orange Nation, Johnson, a 6-foot-2.5, 285-pound defensive tackle, weighed his options carefully. He had previously canceled an official visit to Syracuse to take a trip to Texas. Despite this interest, Johnson ultimately opted for Georgia after also visiting Miami, Florida, and Florida State. His decision represents the second straight recruit choosing Georgia over Texas, following the earlier commitment of four-star safety Chace Calicut.

Struggles in Recruiting

Calicut’s commitment on Friday, despite having strong ties to Texas and a favorable relationship with cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey, was especially disappointing for Texas. The Houston North Shore prospect, who showcased his talent at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge, cited a strong connection with Georgia’s coaching staff, particularly head coach Kirby Smart, as pivotal in his decision-making process. As Longhorns Wire highlights, Calicut appreciated Texas’ player-focused coaching style, which made his decision to join Georgia all the more perplexing for fans.

If that wasn’t enough for Longhorns fans to chew on, another recent official visitor, Demari Simeon, has committed to Ohio State. Texas had been eyeing the defensive tackle pool, hoping to add depth and skill through new recruits but instead finds themselves on the losing side of multiple recruitment battles.

The Bright Side

However, not all news is grim for Texas. The Longhorns recently celebrated a major success in landing five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, who chose Texas over contenders Georgia and Auburn. This commitment is viewed as a substantial victory for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff, with Texas now boasting the No. 1-ranked recruiting class for 2025, as noted by 247Sports.

Terry, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound powerhouse from Manchester, Georgia, was initially thought to favor Georgia. Reports indicate his recruitment took a turn after an official visit to Texas last October. Terry, who has previously committed to both Georgia and USC, brings a wealth of physical talent, with comparisons to former Georgia All-American, Jalen Carter. His addition is set to make an impactful difference on the field, adding a versatile and formidable presence at the point of attack.

Even with the strains of recent commitments, Texas remains in pursuit of key defensive targets like Lamar Brown and Kendall Guervil, who are slated to announce their decisions soon. Brown’s commitment is anticipated on July 10, while Guervil is expected to reveal his choice on July 2. The Longhorns will need to strengthen their recruiting strategy if they hope to capture the talent needed to contend in the fiercely competitive realm of college football.