The 2026 recruiting class in Texas has already shaped up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with an impressive group of football prospects dominating high school fields across the Lone Star State. Texas has long been a hotbed for college football talent, and the 2026 class is no exception. As the season has wrapped up and various All-Star games have come and gone, the recruitment of the state’s top 20 prospects has entered an intense, high-stakes phase.
Recruiting in Texas is always competitive, with top-tier programs like the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Baylor consistently in the mix for the state’s best talent. But as the 2026 cycle heats up, new contenders from around the country are also showing interest in the elite players coming out of Texas. After a season filled with highlight-reel performances and standout moments, many of the state’s top recruits have already narrowed down their lists of schools, with others still weighing their options.
This blog post takes a closer look at where the recruitment of Texas’ top 20 prospects stands after the 2023 high school season and the early All-Star game circuit, examining which programs are the frontrunners and what factors might influence these recruits’ eventual decisions.
### 1. **Bryce James – QB, Frisco Liberty**
**Current Status**: Five-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, USC
Bryce James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has proven himself to be more than just a product of his family’s legacy. He had a standout season, showcasing a rare combination of athleticism, poise in the pocket, and football IQ that has made him one of the most highly coveted quarterbacks in the nation. Texas schools like the University of Texas and Texas A&M are heavily in the mix, but national powerhouses such as Alabama and Ohio State are also making significant pushes. His recruitment will likely intensify after his performance at the Elite 11, where he impressed scouts with his arm strength and decision-making under pressure.
### 2. **Derrick Scott – RB, Duncanville**
**Current Status**: Five-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, Alabama
Scott had an incredible 2023 season, running roughshod over opposing defenses in one of Texas’ toughest classifications. The 6’2″, 210-pound running back’s blend of size, speed, and vision has made him one of the most sought-after players in the country. While Texas and Oklahoma have been viewed as frontrunners, national programs such as LSU and Alabama have been involved since his sophomore year. Expect Scott to remain a high priority for every major program in the country, and his decision could come down to a mix of coaching stability and his vision for his future at the next level.
### 3. **Jaylen Hodge – WR, Galena Park North Shore**
**Current Status**: Five-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama
Hodge’s breakout season has turned him into one of the top wide receiver prospects in the nation. His speed, route-running ability, and exceptional hands have led to comparisons with some of the most elite wideouts in the NCAA. Texas and Texas A&M have long been involved, but SEC powers like Georgia and Alabama are expected to make strong pushes as well. Hodge’s recruitment will be one of the most closely watched in Texas, with schools eager to add a future first-round pick to their programs.
### 4. **Cameron Garcia – OL, Lake Travis**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama
Garcia is a massive 6’5″, 320-pound offensive lineman with a mean streak. His physicality and versatility make him a top-tier prospect who could play any position on the line at the next level. Both Texas and Texas A&M are heavily involved, with TCU and Alabama also showing significant interest. After a strong performance in the Under Armour All-America Game, expect Garcia’s recruitment to pick up even more momentum. Schools looking to solidify their offensive lines in the coming years will continue to target him aggressively.
### 5. **Tyler Washington – LB, Katy**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Oklahoma, LSU, Texas, Alabama
Tyler Washington’s performance at linebacker has been electric, with sideline-to-sideline range and an innate ability to read the play. As one of the best defenders in Texas, Washington has been a target for multiple top-tier programs. Oklahoma and Texas have long been in the mix, but LSU and Alabama have made significant pushes as well. After his standout performances at national camps and all-star games, Washington’s recruitment will continue to be a dogfight among the top programs in the nation.
### 6. **Jordan Hawkins – DB, Allen**
**Current Status**: Five-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, USC, Ohio State, Georgia
Jordan Hawkins has emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the country with his elite coverage skills, speed, and ball skills. His ability to lock down top receivers has made him a key piece in Texas’ 2026 recruiting class. With offers from national powers like Ohio State and Georgia, Hawkins’ recruitment will be one of the most high-profile in the cycle. Schools like Texas and USC are making their best efforts to bring Hawkins home, but he’s made it clear that he will take his time and weigh all of his options.
### 7. **Jalen Mitchell – QB, DeSoto**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas A&M, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia
Jalen Mitchell has quickly become one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class. With exceptional arm strength and athleticism, he has all the tools to thrive at the next level. Texas A&M has been a major player in his recruitment, but schools like Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia are trying to lure him away with their rich football traditions. Mitchell’s recruitment is wide open, and his choice will be a pivotal moment in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
### 8. **Lamarcus James – DE, Southlake Carroll**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Clemson
James is a disruptive force on the defensive line, known for his explosiveness and relentless pass-rushing ability. His ability to impact games from the edge has made him one of the most coveted recruits in the nation. Texas and Texas A&M are at the forefront of his recruitment, but national programs like Ohio State and Clemson are also making their moves. As his recruitment heats up, expect James to be a focal point in the 2026 defensive class.
### 9. **Isaiah McCoy – WR, The Woodlands**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, Alabama, USC, Baylor
McCoy has turned heads with his rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism. His standout performances in 7-on-7 competitions and his impressive stats during the high school season have propelled him into the national spotlight. Texas, Alabama, and USC are some of the top programs involved, but Baylor has also emerged as a strong contender. McCoy’s recruitment is expected to play out over the next year, with numerous schools pushing to land this potential future NFL talent.
### 10. **Jadyn Moore – DB, Westlake**
**Current Status**: Four-Star Recruit | **Offers**: Texas, LSU, Alabama, Miami
Moore is a versatile defensive back with an uncanny ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and make plays on the ball. As one of the best defensive prospects in the state, Moore has earned offers from top programs across the nation. Texas, LSU, and Alabama are all pushing hard for his services, but Miami has emerged as a sleeper in his recruitment. Moore’s combination of instincts and physicality makes him a key target for any program looking to build a top-tier defense.
### Conclusion: A Recruiting Arms Race for Texas’ Top 20
As the 2026 recruiting cycle continues to heat up, Texas’ top prospects are finding themselves at the center of a recruiting arms race between the state’s biggest programs and national powers. After a successful high school season and standout performances in all-star games, many of these recruits have already narrowed down their options, but their final decisions will likely come down to a mixture of coaching relationships, campus culture, and potential for early playing time.
In the coming months, expect the recruitment of Texas’ top 20 prospects to become even more intense, with major programs across the country vying for the chance to land the state’s next wave of football superstars. Whether they end up at a powerhouse like Texas or Texas A&M, or choose to venture elsewhere, the 2026 recruiting class from Texas is poised to reshape the landscape of college football for years to come.