Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are fresh off a number one overall recruiting class this offseason, and the momentum is beginning to build for the 2026 cycle now. The team already has their quarterback (five star, Dia Bell), a wide receiver, and an offensive tackle committed for next spring. But now they’re looking close to landing an elite edge defender too.
Jamarion Carlton, a Top 50 edge defender recruit (via the national recruiting services), continues to make the rounds this spring, visiting several of the top programs in the nation, but Texas still looks like they’re leading.
Carlton has already visited with Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns more than any other program and is likely to lock in an official visit with Texas this summer alongside in-state rivals Baylor, SMU and Texas A&M. Now, Texas is getting yet another unofficial visit this spring with USC, Michigan, and the Aggies too.
Carlton will be heading to USC March 28th, Michigan April 4th, Texas April 12th, and Texas A&M April 19th. This marks Carlton’s second visit with the Longhorns this spring, and now nearly a half dozen unofficials in total. All recent momentum outside of these upcoming visits has suggested that Carlton is looking to stay in-state, barring some surprising result with USC or Michigan.
If that is the case and he stays in state, Texas certainly has a massive advantage on multiple fronts: on-field success, NFL Draft success, and talented pedigree to build around him. And they’ll need him to help build around the rest of their talent up front too given that Ethan Burke and Trey Moore (two key edge players this year) will both be gone after 2025.
For those unfamiliar with Jamarion Carlton he’s been climbing the recruiting boards for over a year as an obvious Top 100 (or better) prospect thanks to his impressive production and wild physical traits. He’s already nearly 6’5″, 240 pounds and has the frame to play virtually any position along the defensive front if he wanted to continue bulking up.
Texas will likely best utilize him at true defensive end or mix and match with he and Colin Simmons in the “buck” role standing up outside here and there. He has the speed and bend to get around the edge in one-on-ones, but also sufficient strength to cut inside and win with power. Needless to say, this would be a huge win if Sarkisian landed Carlton.
We’re still waiting on official word for his final visit date with Texas (possibly May 30th), but if things go well in Carlton’s unofficial this spring he may just go ahead and commit to the Longhorns given all the recent momentum with the program. If that happens, Texas will immediately join a few other elite programs on pace to put together one of the best recruiting classes in the nation once again.
