Ranking the top 5 recruits of Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns ft. Jaimie Ffrench Jr.

By Aman Sharma

Modified Sep 27, 2024 18:29 GMT

Steve Sarkisian continues his push to bring Texas Longhorns football back to national prominence, and his 2025 recruiting class reflects that ambition. With several highly ranked prospects from the ESPN 300, Texas is building a foundation for future success.

Top 5 recruits of Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns

#5. Elijah Barnes – Outside linebacker (ESPN 300 No. 94)

One of the top 5 recruits in Sarkisian's 2025 class is a higher-level outside linebacker from the Duncanville, Texas, Elijah Barnes. During his junior year, his accomplishment involved 12 tackles for loss (TFL), three sacks, four interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

Beside his football skills, Barnes is a talented runner too. Making Texas District 11-6A competition count, he hit a wind-legal 10.96 in the 100 meters sprint.

His rapid speed and reigning of his instincts on the defensive side of the ball make Barnes a brilliant playmaker on the field.

#4. Lance Jackson – Defensive end (ESPN 300 No. 65)

Defensive end Lance Jackson has a perfect mix of big size, agility, and quickness that he brings to the Texas Longhorns’ defense line. Jackson was a dominant presence for Pleasant Grove’s 12-1 Texas 4A D-II regional semifinalist squad, finishing his junior season with 69 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles.

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#3. Kaliq Lockett – Wide receiver (ESPN 300 No. 23)

Texas Longhorns landed one of the top offensive players in the Lone Star State in wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. In 2023, Lockett posted an impressive junior season, catching 59 passes for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 22.0 yards per reception.

His deep-threat ability makes him a key component for Sarkisian’s offense. As a sophomore, Lockett racked up 492 yards and five touchdowns on 29 receptions.

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#2. Jonah Williams – Outside linebacker (ESPN 300 No. 8)

Jonah Williams is the second-highest ranked prospect in Texas' 2025 class. He is an outside linebacker with a rare height, speed, and flexibility.

Williams was awarded the Texas District 9-5A D-I Defensive Player of the Year during his period in 2023 after taking down 58 players.

#1. Jaimie Ffrench Jr. – Wide receiver (ESPN 300 No. 17)

This recruiting class is topped by Jaimie Ffrench Jr., a brilliant wide receiver who was among the first to choose Alabama before deciding to stay at Texas Longhorns.

Ffrench has a good reputation as he plays the position of one of the best wide receivers in the country. He was named the ‘Alpha Dog’ at the National Combine in January 2024.

In 2023, Ffrench led Mandarin High School to the Florida 4M state championship game, catching 62 passes for 1,247 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. As a sophomore, he added 44 catches for 671 yards and five touchdowns.