The Texas Longhorns finished the 2024 season with high expectations. Despite losing some players to the 2025 NFL Draft, including quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns hit it out of the park with the transfer portal and are now building for the future, entering their Arch Manning era.
Texas is still very aggressive in trying to land some recruits and is doing a great job of continuing to build for the future. We saw this with the commitment of the 6-foot-3 four-star cornerback, Hayward Howard Jr.
Texas Lands 6’3’’ Hayward Howard Jr
The 6-foot-3, four-star cornerback commits to the Texas football program. In doing so, he brings his size, speed, and a relentless drive that has Longhorns fans buzzing and excited for his anticipated debut in 2026.
Texas came on strong with the 2026 cornerback and made a lasting impression. The four-star cornerback committed to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns on Friday as the spring winds down and more and more recruits pick their next homes.
Texas edged out LSU, Florida State, and Miami for the No. 33-ranked cornerback out of The Boot. He’s been trending upwards for Howard since his first visit out of the Forty Acres in April.
“The Texas coaching staff made a huge impression on me this spring. They didn’t waste time — they showed belief in my abilities and made it clear that I fit into their vision,” Howard told Rivals. “That level of confidence, support, and connection made me feel ready to pull the trigger. I’m not just choosing a school, I’m choosing a culture and a program that sees my value.”
Howard was on campus in April for Longhorn City Limits, getting a closer look at the Longhorns’ football program. They are perennial championship contenders with a winning culture that he’s accustomed to.
“Everything is bigger in Texas — and that includes expectations, energy, and opportunity,” he detailed. “What stood out to me most is how their practices remind me of home. The intensity, the structure, the pace — it felt a lot like Edna Karr, and that made me feel like I already belonged.”
“My visit to Austin opened my eyes to how much Texas invests in their players — from the top-tier facilities to the relationships the coaches build with each athlete,” Howard continued. “Talking to Coach Sarkisian was real. He spoke about growth, not just as a player, but as a man. That hit home. I also loved seeing so many Louisiana natives on the staff and team — it reminded me that my roots still matter.”
Texas has many players, coaches, and staff members with ties to Louisiana. The Longhorns’ general manager, Brandon Harris, is from The Boot, as is Texas’s starting quarterback, Manning, and safety Derek Williams.
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Similarly, Howard found his fit in Austin from Louisiana. “I’m choosing Texas because they’re about development, family, and doing it big,” he said. “I’m ready to be a Longhorn because they see my potential, and I see a future in Burnt Orange.”
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