Texas Longhorns Lose Major Recruiting Battle .

The Texas Longhorns have endured a stinging loss in the recruitment of elite in-state talent as four-star running back KJ Edwards announced his commitment to Texas A&M on June 17, shutting down his recruitment and ending any Texas hopes .

🏈 The Edwards Buzz

Edwards, a standout from Carthage, Texas, emerged as a priority target for both Longhorns and Aggies during the 2026 cycle. With an explosive junior season—tallying over 1,700 rushing yards and a remarkable average exceeding 10 yards per carry—he was ranked among the top backs in the state .

Though Texas had hoped to secure this homegrown talent, their official visit plans fell apart when Edwards “slipped from Texas’ grasp” and declared for Texas A&M, citing strong connections with the Aggies’ coaching staff . Yardbarker noted the flip as a “massive recruiting win for Texas A&M” and a costly blow to the Longhorns .

📉 Strategic Fallout

This loss comes at a sensitive time for Texas, still reeling from the departure of running backs coach Tashard Choice, who left for the Detroit Lions earlier this year. His exit prompted recruit Ezavier “EJ” Crowell to reconsider Texas and ultimately cancel a planned June visit . The coaching instability may have contributed to Edwards’s decision and shaken the program’s recruiting momentum.

Edwards’s commitment deepens A&M’s strength in the backfield and signals a win in the critical Texas vs. Texas A&M recruiting rivalry. For Texas, missing out on a premier in-state talent—already embedded in A&M’s plans—highlights the consequences of internal staff turnover and the importance of relationship management.

🔍 What It Means for Texas

Recruiting Image: Struggling to close key in-state targets undermines Texas’s narrative as the premier destination for Texas high school athletes.

Class Deficit: Edwards would’ve filled a vital role in the Longhorns’ backfield, complementing players like Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter. Now Texas must pivot quickly to fill that hole.

A&M Advantage: This decisive win further boosts A&M’s recruiting credibility and intensifies the rivalry’s dynamic as the Aggies continue to poach top Lone Star State talent .

🚨 Final Take

The loss of KJ Edwards marks a pivotal recruiting failure for Texas—a combination of coaching turnover and faltering site visits that ultimately allowed A&M to capitalize. As they regroup, Texas must accelerate recruitment of high-upside RB prospects and stabilize their coaching pitch ahead of upcoming official visit weekends.

This setback offers a sobering reminder: Texas’s in-state talent pipeline is competitive, and rivals are ready to pounce when cracks appear. The Longhorns must address these cracks swiftly if they hope to regain recruiting dominance.