Steve Sarkisian has once again proven his recruiting prowess by securing yet another major commitment for the Texas Longhorns. This past weekend, Sarkisian and his staff celebrated a significant victory when highly-touted five-star edge rusher Richard Wesley officially announced his commitment to Texas, sending shockwaves through the college football recruiting world.
Wesley’s recruitment process has been far from conventional and has kept fans and analysts alike on their toes. Originally, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound standout from Los Angeles, California, had pledged his commitment to the Oregon Ducks, one of the perennial powerhouses in college football. However, on May 27, Wesley unexpectedly decommitted from Oregon, reigniting speculation and interest among numerous top-tier programs nationwide. Despite stepping away from his Oregon commitment, Wesley still made a return visit to Eugene less than two weeks later, fueling rumors that the Ducks remained firmly in contention for his signature.
But the tides quickly turned when Wesley made an official visit to Austin, Texas, on June 20. Just two days after experiencing the Longhorns’ football facilities, meeting with coaches, and getting a taste of the program’s culture, Wesley made the life-changing decision to commit to Texas. His emotional announcement was shared on social media, where he expressed heartfelt dedication to his mother and his future in Austin, writing, “This for you Mom ❤️ 10000% committed 🤘🏾.”
Wesley is widely regarded as one of the premier prospects in the nation. He currently holds the No. 4 ranking among edge rushers and is considered the fifth-best overall recruit out of California, a state known for its abundance of football talent. His on-field production backs up the hype. Over just two seasons at the varsity level, Wesley has accumulated an impressive stat line, including 94 total tackles, with 56 of those being solo efforts. He has also recorded 27.5 tackles for loss, an incredible 18.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections — showcasing both his pass-rushing ability and versatility on the defensive front.
Despite his earlier decommitment from Oregon, many recruiting outlets, including On3, still considered the Ducks a strong contender to land him. However, Sarkisian and his staff managed to close the deal, further solidifying Texas as a rising force in college football recruiting.
Wesley becomes the second five-star recruit to join the Longhorns’ 2026 class, which is already climbing the national rankings. After securing the No. 1 overall recruiting class for 2025, Sarkisian is showing no signs of slowing down, with Texas’ 2026 class now sitting at No. 10 in the country — and expected to rise even higher.
The Longhorns’ 2026 class is loaded with elite talent. Five-star quarterback Dia Bell headlines the group alongside Wesley. The class also features highly ranked four-star prospects such as athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., defensive linemen Vodney Cleveland, Dylan Berymon, and Corey Wells, wide receiver Chris Stewart, offensive tackle Max Wright, and cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. Rounding out the class are a host of promising three-star recruits, including interior offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson, wide receiver Kohen Brown, safety Yaheim Riley, and even special teams standouts like punter Mikey Bukauskas, kicker Jake Collett, and long snapper Trott O’Neal.
From top to bottom, Sarkisian is building one of the most complete and balanced recruiting classes in the nation. With blue-chip prospects at key positions, including offense, defense, and special teams, the future of Texas Longhorns football appears brighter than ever.
