The Texas Longhorns secure elite defensive talent Elijah Ali, solidifying a 2026 class already boasting top quarterbacks and game-changing playmakers.
Texas football continues to build serious momentum on the recruiting trail, and the 2026 class is quickly shaping up as one of the most balanced and talent-rich groups in the country.
The latest addition came this week with the signing of defensive tackle Elijah Ali, pushing the Longhorns’ 2026 haul to 24 total signees.
Ali, a 6-4, 285-pound interior lineman from Downey, California, brings size and upside to the defensive front. Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals, Ali is ranked among the nation’s top 170 defensive linemen and transferred to St. Pius X–St. Matthias Academy for his senior season. His frame and strength project well in the trenches, giving Texas another developmental piece along the interior.
While Ali adds depth up front, the headliners of the class give it national star power.
Quarterback Dia Bell stands out as one of the premier signal callers in the country. A consensus five-star recruit, Bell is ranked as high as the No. 3 quarterback nationally and is coming off an Elite 11 MVP performance.
During his junior season, he threw for 2,560 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding more than 550 rushing yards. Bell’s polish, arm talent, and football pedigree — he’s the son of former NBA player Raja Bell — make him a cornerstone of the class.
On the defensive side, Texas is stacking difference-makers.
Linebacker Tyler Atkinson, a five-star prospect and the 2025 High School Butkus Award winner, headlines a group loaded with speed and physicality. Atkinson posted 77 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks as a senior, following a junior season where he racked up 153 tackles.
Edge rusher Richard Wesley adds explosive pass-rushing ability after recording 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a senior at Sierra Canyon.
The Longhorns also addressed the secondary with impact athletes like Samari Matthews, North Carolina’s Mr. Football, and Hayward Howard Jr., a four-star corner who helped Edna Karr to a state championship.
Matthews brings versatility and playmaking, finishing his senior season with interceptions, fumble recoveries, and return touchdowns.
Offensively, Texas added weapons at every level. Running back Derrek Cooper, ESPN’s No. 1 back in the class, averaged over 10 yards per carry as a senior.
Jett Walker piled up nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, while wide receivers Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Chris Stewart bring elite production and explosiveness.
With elite stars, depth across the roster, and balance on both sides of the ball, Texas’ 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to be more than impressive ... it’s built to compete immediately and sustain success long term.