Texas Flips Clemson Linebacker RJ Hudson In Major Recruiting Win

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns picked up another important victory over the weekend, and this one came away from the football field.

Texas secured a commitment Monday from three-star linebacker RJ Hudson, flipping the Richmond, Virginia, standout from Clemson and adding another defensive prospect to the Longhorns' growing 2027 recruiting class.

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The announcement came just two days after Hudson attended Texas' dramatic 34-27 victory over Ole Miss at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Apparently, the visit made quite an impression.

Hudson, a 6-2, 210-pound prospect from Varina High School, had been committed to Clemson since June before reopening his recruitment Oct. 9.

Texas offered Hudson a scholarship in September, and the Longhorns quickly became serious contenders for his commitment.

Following his official visit to Austin, Hudson decided to make the switch.

"They not for the weak or timid, they chose right," Hudson told Rivals recruiting analyst Hayes Fawcett while announcing his decision.

The commitment gives Texas its first linebacker pledge in the 2027 recruiting cycle and brings the Longhorns' class to 22 players.

Hudson is rated the nation's No. 511 overall prospect, No. 42 linebacker and No. 15 player in Virginia according to the Rivals industry rankings cited in Monday's recruiting coverage.

However, those rankings don't fully illustrate his production.

As a junior at Varina, Hudson recorded 45 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks while helping his team capture the Virginia Class 4 state championship.

He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, broke up two passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two more.

Those numbers demonstrate the versatility that attracted programs across the country.

Hudson has experience playing both linebacker and defensive end, giving Texas flexibility as it evaluates where he best fits in its defensive system.

His combination of speed and pass-rushing production could make him especially valuable in a conference where defending mobile quarterbacks and explosive offenses remains a weekly challenge.

Hudson reportedly runs the 100-meter dash in under 11 seconds, adding another intriguing element to his athletic profile.

Texas wasn't the only major program interested.

Penn State, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Syracuse were among the schools that offered Hudson before he ultimately chose the Longhorns.

His commitment strengthens a Texas recruiting class that includes 13 four-star or better prospects and ranks ninth nationally and fourth in the SEC according to the Rivals industry rankings.

For Sarkisian, the timing couldn't be much better.

Texas is coming off a critical victory over Ole Miss and preparing for another SEC matchup against Mississippi State.

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Meanwhile, the Longhorns continue building toward the future.

And after taking Hudson away from Clemson, Texas has another reason to celebrate a productive weekend in Austin.