Steve Sarkisian, Longhorns Add Two Top Players to Class of 2026

AUSTIN – Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the defensive coaching staff are already beginning to see results after finishing the last weekend of official visits before the recruiting dead period begins.

Vodney Cleveland commits

On Saturday, the Longhorns landed a commitment from 4-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland out of Birmingham, Alabama.

Cleveland originally committed to Alabama in October last year, but that didn’t last long as he eventually decommitted from the Crimson Tide a short time later in December.

Although he still considered Alabama in his recruitment, he ultimately chose the Longhorns over Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, and Miami.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, Cleveland recorded 38 total tackles, 28 solo tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and 5 sacks in his junior year at Prattville High School. Those stats earned him the ranking as the No. 120 player in the nation, No. 11 defensive lineman in the class, and No. 8 player in the state of Alabama.

Richard Wesley commits

Almost 24 hours later, Sarkisian got his second commit of the weekend in 5-star defensive end Richard Wesley out of Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles.

Wesley is ranked as the No. 24 player out of the entire 2026 class, also ranked as the No. 4 defensive end and No. 5 player out of California.

Last season, he recorded 44 total tackles, with a stunning 16 going for a loss, while also managing to acquire an impressive nine sacks.

Standing at 6-foot-4 but only 250 pounds, Wesley’s frame helped him attain the stats he did that are making him the highly valuable player Texas will eventually have on its roster.

Wesley, like Cleveland, was also previously committed to another school, having been committed to the Oregon Ducks for a total 17 days before rescinding that pledge. 

Ultimately, he chose the Longhorns over Ohio State, Oregon, USC, and Texas A&M.

Perhaps the most impressive fact may be that he was originally part of the class of 2027, but he chose to reclassify to 2026 — and he still stayed at the top of the rankings.

The Texas Longhorns now hold the No. 10 ranked recruiting class for 2026 with more commitments likely on the horizon.