Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State

The recruiting trails across the state of Texas are always burning up as college coaches make their rounds and top prospects narrow their lists and make their college decisions. Now it is time to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines.

Big Gets

2025 OL Ty Haywood‍ inks with Michigan

Headlines

2025s make it official – February signing day does not get the spotlight it used to, but that does not mean it is dead. Wednesday saw quite a few interesting signings beyond Texas Top 100 selections Haywood and Warren.

• Timpson ATH JJ Garner‍ to Louisiana: Multi-sport standout and a versatile, dynamic threat who stood out on offense, defense and special teams at Timpson.
• McKinney North RB Greg Ard‍ to Boise State:  5-10, 190, rushed for over 1500 yards and 20 TDs as a senior in 2024, and averaged over 10 yards a carry
• Fulshear RB Patrick Broadway‍ to Wyoming: 5-10, 200 rushed for 2100 yards and 29 TDs and averaged over 11 yards a carry. Chose Wyoming over Prairie View and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
• Aldine Nimitz LB Javar Thomas‍ to Texas Southern: Received offers from Arkansas, SMU, Houston, TCU, Texas and Washington over the course of his recruitment.
• Columbus ATH Grayson Rigdon‍ to Arizona State: Multi-sport, multi-faceted standout and four-time state champion.
• Waco Midway LB Donovan Jones‍ to Texas Southern: Former Oklahoma State commit with offers from Baylor, Houston, and TCU.
• Rockwall QB Landyn Locke‍ to Sam Houston: Former Wisconsin pledge and a top passer in DFW. Threw for 2700 yards and 39 TDs as a senior.
• Longview RB Kelvin Washington‍ to Tulsa: Longview’s single-season rushing leader with 2,571 yards and 34 touchdowns on 282 carries.
• Fort Worth Southwest DL Raylon Carter‍ to New Mexico State: Former North Texas pledge and received offers from Tulsa, Arizona State, Memphis, Oklahoma State and San Diego State during his process.
• Dallas First Baptist Academy WR Kaleb Mitchell‍ to Utah State: Former UTSA commit with offers from the likes of Arizona State, Boston College and Utah.
• Bryan WR Terrence Lewis‍ to North Texas: Runs a 21.59 200m with offers from Houston, Minnesota and Texas Tech.
• Austin Westlake DL Porter Patton‍ to Arizona: Received his Arizona offer shortly after signing day in December, and now, he makes it official.
• Fort Worth All Saints DL Blake Robinett‍ to TCU: The only new high school signee for any of the P4 Texas programs.
• Spring DeKaney ATH Jamal Frilot‍ to UTEP: Held offers from Nebraska, Arizona State, Maryland, Pitt and Syracuse during his recruitment.
• Denton Ryan WR Braeden Mussett‍ to SFA: Versatile threat who stood out at QB and WR for the Ryan Raiders.
• Alvarado ATH Cardea Collier‍ to Tarleton State: Accounted for 5,279 yards and 75 touchdowns at QB as a senior in 2024.

JUCOs get busy 

• Garland Naaman Forest LB Ali Vinson‍ to Navarro: Under Armour Dallas camp LB MVP. 
• Lancaster TE Dakeriean Johnson‍ to Navarro: Standout LB and TE who received opportunities at both.
• Euless Trinity OL Pauliasi Falahola‍ to Navarro: A 6-foot-8, 380-pound lineman.
• Euless Trinity QB TJ Tupou‍ to Navarro: Polynesian All-American Bowl MVP and two-time first-team all-district.
• Malakoff QB Mike Jones‍ to Trinity Valley: 2023 3A D1 Championship game MVP that lead Malakoff to back-to-back 3A D1 State title games.
• Dallas South Oak Cliff ATH Reggie McNeal Jr‍ to Coffeyville CC:  QB turned WR, utility athlete for the Golden Bears with strong ties to Texas A&M, averaged 18 yards per reception and 11 yards per carry in 2024.

2026s make college choices – The last few weeks have been busy with the junior class stepping into the spotlight. In addition to the guys mentioned at the top, there have been quite a few big decisions. The Woodlands QB Jack Daulton‍ chose TCU after receiving offers from Tulane, Incarnate Word, UTSA and UTEP at the end of January. Six-foot-8, 310-pound Melissa OL Max Wright‍ opted for Texas over the likes of Florida, Michigan, Arkansas, SMU, TCU, Baylor, Arizona State, Kansas State, Stanford and Texas Tech. Denton Guyer's speedy receiver Corbin Glasco‍ selected Kansas over Kansas State, UTSA, Arkansas State and Toledo. Then TCU continued their run on defensive linemen with Humble Summer Creek’s Amontre Harris‍, who also held offers from Houston, SMU and Tulsa.

Back on the market – A few 2026 have decided to take another look at their options. Lancaster CB Victor Lincoln‍ gave SMU his pledge over the likes of Arkansas, Nebraska and Texas Tech in September, but he recently re-opened his recruitment. Southlake Carroll running back Davis Penn‍ pledged to Baylor in June over offers from Wisconsin and Arizona State but has recently taken a step back to evaluate his next steps further.

New Name to Know

CB DaQuwan Dunn‍, Richardson (TX) Berkner – 2026

At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Dunn describes his style of play as aggressive and says his role model is Sauce Gardner. Berkner head coach Trey Bryant describes him as a high IQ, dynamic athlete who has made plays at cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback over the last three seasons. As a junior in 2024, Dunn recorded stats at all three positions.

He earned second-team all-district and all-city honors for his wet blanket coverage last fall. The tape shows a sticky, physical defender who loves to get in the face of opposing receivers. His change of direction and length make him tough to shake, whether it’s a short crossing route or double moves, and he has the speed to get in the hip pocket of even the speediest receivers.

Dunn also loves contact, and it shows on tape as he takes on blocks and helps against the run. His physical style also shows in his refusal to give opposing receivers a clean release.

January has been good to Dunn with new offers arriving from Utah, Oregon State, Houston, Memphis, Duke, Bowling Green, Iowa, Pitt, Texas Tech and Mizzou. Scholarships have also arrived from Oklahoma State, Texas State, UTEP, Arizona State, NC State, UTSA, San Diego State and Tulsa, and this spring, he plans to visit Oklahoma State and Houston.

In addition to being a multi-faceted threat on the football field, Dunn also averages 12 points and four assists a game as a backup point guard for the Berkner varsity basketball squad.

What’s up with the top

Top 5 2025 QBs
1. Keelon Russell‍, Duncanville – Alabama
2. Adam Schobel‍, Columbus – TCU
3. Austin Carlisle‍, Fort Bend Ridge Point – Houston
4. Edward Griffin‍, Coppell – Baylor
5. Lloyd Jones III‍, Hitchcock – Texas Tech

Top 5 2026 QBs
1. Keisean Henderson‍, Houston Legacy – Houston
2. Bowe Bentley‍, Celina 
3. Jake Fette‍, El Paso Del Valle – Arizona State
4. Romin Seymour‍, Fort Bend Ridge Point
5. Grant Smith‍, Conroe Grand Oaks

Top 5 2027 QBs
1. Kavian Bryant‍, Palestine Westwood
2. Colton Nussmeier‍, Flower Mound Marcus
3. Weston Nielsen‍, Bastrop
4. Jerry Meyer‍, Waxahachie
5. Ty Knutson‍, Smithson Valley