While Saturday marked another major win for the Texas Longhorns, it also marked a major recruiting loss. Five-star Kavian Bryant, who is ranked as the second-best quarterback in the 2027 class, chose Texas Tech over the Longhorns. While the Red Raiders had been seen as the favorites the last two months, the Longhorns were hoping to surprise the college football world.
Over the last few months, the Red Raiders have made major investments in NIL, and it is starting to pay off. Just a few months ago, they were able to secure a commitment from Felix Ojo, who is ranked the second-best offensive tackle in his class. The Longhorns were also in the running for his services down to the wire.
With Bryant off the table, Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff will have to be creative. The other top quarterback options in the 2027 class, Peyton Houston and Brady Edmunds, have both committed to other programs. Bryant was also the only in-state quarterback that Texas, which is selective about who it pursues, extended an offer to.
Although Bryant would have provided a massive boost, the Longhorns still have options. They have already secured a commitment from five-star quarterback Dia Bell in the 2026 class. Assuming he reaches his ceiling, the Longhorns will have a star leading the way, and they could focus on a signal caller who needs time to develop. One player who falls into that category is Ty Knutson, who received offers this summer from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU.
If Knutson does not end up in Austin, Texas could also turn to the transfer portal. While Texas Tech has taken its recruiting to another level, Texas still has a bright future. The Longhorns are still talking to some of the top prospects in the 2027 class as they look to build a championship-level pipeline of talent.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football loses another huge recruiting battle to Texas Tech
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
