There’s just something about Austin that screams football royalty. Maybe it’s the sea of burnt orange, the roar of 100,000 fans at DKR Stadium, or the longhorn steer staring you down from midfield. Whatever it is, the Texas Longhorns have been a magnet for five-star studs, jaw-dropping high school highlights, and future NFL dreams.
Let’s dive into the top 10 highest-rated recruits in Texas Longhorns history—from national champs to potential future stars.
Top 10 Texas Longhorn Recruits of All Time
1. QB Vince Young (Class of 2002)
You can’t talk about Texas recruiting without starting with the guy. Vince Young wasn’t just the top recruit in the country in 2002—he was a once-in-a-lifetime talent from Houston Madison, standing 6’5″ with wheels and an arm that defied logic. His high school tape looked like a video game.
He didn’t disappoint. Young’s 467-yard masterpiece in the 2006 Rose Bowl—where he led Texas to a national title over USC—remains one of the greatest performances in college football history. He finished second in the 2005 Heisman race and left Austin a living legend.
“Vince changed our program forever,” coach Mack Brown once said. No argument there.
2. QB Arch Manning (Class of 2023)
The last name says it all. Arch Manning, the crown jewel of the 2023 class and the No. 1 player in the nation shocked the college football world when he chose Texas over Alabama and Georgia. Grandson of Archie, nephew to Peyton and Eli, and the face of a new Longhorn era.
He’s yet to start a full season as of 2025, but his presence alone has changed the recruiting momentum in Austin. Arch is the future, and if his bloodline and prep career are any indication, Texas fans might be in for something special.
3. LB Sergio Kindle (Class of 2006)
A five-star wrecking ball from Dallas Woodrow Wilson, Kindle could hit like a freight train and move like a safety. Texas beat out Oklahoma for his commitment, which made fans cheer even louder.
Though injuries slowed him early, Kindle became a dominant force by 2009, helping the Horns reach the national title game. He tallied 17 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in his career and was a consensus All-American his senior season.
4. DE Jackson Jeffcoat (Class of 2010)
A legacy recruit—son of former NFL star Jim Jeffcoat—Jackson was a five-star defensive end from Plano West and one of the top overall players in his class. He was long, explosive, and built to wreak havoc in the Big 12.
In 2013, he did just that: 13 sacks, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and All-American honors. He went undrafted but later became a CFL standout with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
5. WR B.J. Johnson (Class of 2000)
Before Jordan Shipley, there was B.J. Johnson. A five-star WR from South Grand Prairie, he was part of a 2000 class that helped put Texas’ passing attack on the map.
Johnson played as a true freshman—unheard of at the time—and finished with 152 career receptions for 2,389 yards and 16 TDs. He helped pave the way for future Texas receiver greats like Roy Williams and Quan Cosby.
6. RB Johnathan Gray (Class of 2012)
How do you top a high school career with 10,881 rushing yards and a national record of 205 touchdowns? You commit to Texas, of course. Gray was a legend from Aledo High and the top running back in the nation in 2012.
Injuries were a cruel twist, especially the torn Achilles that hampered his junior year. But Gray still rushed for 2,607 yards and 17 TDs at Texas. He remains one of the most electric high school backs the state has ever seen.
7. DT Rodrique Wright (Class of 2002)
One of Mack Brown’s best recruiting steals, Wright came in the same class as Vince Young and became an anchor on the 2005 national championship defense. Big, fast, and smart, he started as a freshman and never looked back.
Wright finished his Texas career with 42 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks and was named a consensus All-American in 2005. He was later drafted by the Dolphins and now coaches the D-line at Miami.
8. S Jonah Williams (Class of 2025)
The newest name on this list, Williams, is a five-star safety out of Galveston, Texas, and the cornerstone of the 2025 class. He’s big (6’3″, 203 pounds), athletic, and projects as a future star in the secondary.
He’s expected to push for early playing time, and scouts already compare his build to some of the best DBs Texas has produced. Keep your eyes on him—he could be the next great one in burnt orange (he even plays on the diamond as well!).
9. LB Jordan Hicks (Class of 2010)
A rare pull from Ohio football country, Hicks was the No. 1 LB in the nation and turned down Ohio State to come to Texas. He battled injuries but bounced back in a big way as a senior in 2014, posting 147 tackles and leading the defense.
He was drafted by the Eagles and helped them win Super Bowl LII. His story is one of perseverance and patience paying off.
10. OL Tray Allen (Class of 2007)
Allen was once called “the most physically gifted OL prospect in years.” A five-star recruit from South Grand Prairie, he had offers from everywhere but chose Texas with huge expectations.
Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. Allen struggled with injuries and position changes, never locking down a full-time spot. Still, his recruitment showed Texas’ national pull during the Mack Brown era.
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Being a top recruit at Texas isn’t just about stars next to your name — it’s about pressure, pride, and playing for one of the most tradition-rich programs in college football. Some, like Vince Young and Rodrique Wright, became legends. Others, like Arch Manning and Jonah Williams, still have time to write their stories.
What these 10 all shared was the spotlight—and the weight of carrying Longhorn Nation’s hopes. Their careers remind us that potential is just the start. It’s what you do with the opportunity in Austin that defines your legacy.
And as Texas heads into a new SEC era, the next wave of five-star stars is already lining up—ready to chase history, glory, and maybe even another crystal trophy.
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