Texas Recruiting Surges Ahead in 2028 With Blue-Chip Targets

Texas football already has one of the nation’s top 2027 recruiting classes, but Steve Sarkisian and his staff clearly aren’t waiting around to attack the next cycle.

The Longhorns, currently ranked No. 6 nationally in the 2027 class, have already landed four-star 2028 quarterback Neimann Lawrence and are now positioning themselves with several high-level in-state prospects who could form the core of Texas’ next recruiting haul.

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Three names stand out: Kendrick Harris, Damarion Mays and David Dotson.

Rivals analyst Sam Spiegelman said Texas is in a strong position with all three.

“Texas is one of the frontrunners to keep No. 2 interior OL Kendrick Harris in-state,” Spiegelman said, adding that the Longhorns are battling SMU and have made a strong impression during multiple spring and summer visits.

Harris is one of the most important offensive line targets in the 2028 class. He’s ranked No. 36 nationally, the No. 2 interior offensive lineman and the No. 3 player in Texas in the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Texas offered Harris in April, and adding him would continue a strong run of offensive line recruiting after the Longhorns already secured commitments from five-star Ismael Camara and Brian Swanson in the 2027 class.

At wide receiver, Damarion Mays has been on Texas’ radar even longer.

The Longhorns offered Mays in March 2025, giving the staff a long runway in a recruitment that already includes Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.

Spiegelman said Texas is “in a great position” with Mays, who is ranked No. 84 nationally, the No. 10 wide receiverand the No. 9 prospect in Texas.

Then there’s David Dotson, a fast-rising edge rusher from Atascocita.

Texas offered Dotson on Monday after a strong camp performance, and Spiegelman said, “I like where Texas stands right now with Dotson.”

Dotson is ranked No. 112 overall, the No. 15 edge and the No. 13 player in Texas.

The bigger picture is straightforward.

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Texas already has its quarterback in Lawrence. Now the Longhorns are trying to surround him with elite in-state talent at premium positions.

If Sarkisian can close on Harris, Mays and Dotson, Texas’ 2028 class could get very serious very quickly.