When it comes to recruiting, Texas sets the bar high, and sets it early.

That mindset gets a real stress test this weekend as five-star quarterback Jayden Wade, the No. 1 QB in the 2028 class, announces his commitment on Sunday, Nov. 16.

The Longhorns made his final six alongside Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington, giving Steve Sarkisian and staff a prime shot to plant the flag at the very top of a future cycle.

Wade's profile has been building for years despite the fact that he's just a high school sophomore. Originally from California and now starring at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Wade delivered a polished first season as a starter in 2025 on 73-of-120 passing for 1,383 yards, 20 touchdowns against just two interceptions, plus 243 rushing yards and three scores on 33 carries.

The arm talent pops, but so does the maturity ... efficient processing, clean ball placement, and enough mobility to punish soft edges or extend plays when protection frays.

For Texas, landing Wade would be more than a splashy headline.

A blue-chip quarterback at the top of a class often becomes the class, attracting elite receivers, tackles, and skill defenders who want to grow with a marquee signal-caller.

That's been a modern recruiting reality in Austin and across the SEC ... secure the QB early, then let the class build outward around him. With Wade already holding 25-plus offers, the optics of beating national brands for the cycle's No. 1 QB would echo across multiple position rooms and multiple years.

There's no public lean from Wade, and that matters.

His circle has kept things tight, and in today's landscape, an early commitment doesn’t slam the door on future conversations. Still, the school that earns his pledge Sunday will grab something priceless in the long game.

That would mean time to build relationships with his family, time to align NIL and development plans, and time to architect an offense and class identity that fits his profile.

Texas has recruited quarterbacks aggressively under Sarkisian and prides itself on quarterback development and NFL translation.

Add in the Longhorns' SEC stage and momentum, and this is precisely the kind of early-cycle swing the program expects to connect on. Whether Wade chooses burnt orange or not, his announcement is a mile marker for the 2028 race.

If it breaks Texas' way, the Longhorns won't just be off to a hot start, they’ll be holding the match.