Texas Emerging as Heavy Favorite for 2026 Four-Star DL

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cami Griffin | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 12:30 AM ET

The Texas Longhorns are on track to land one of the top defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class.

On Wednesday, Texas received two important recruiting predictions for four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland. On3's Steve Wilfong and Chad Simmons each entered a prediction for the Longhorns to land Cleveland with a 60% confidence level.

The Parker High School (Birmingham, AL) product is ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in Alabama and the No. 11 defensive lineman for the 2026 recruiting class, according to On3's industry ranking. Cleveland is ranked a bit higher for 247Sports as the No. 5 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 4 recruit in Alabama.

In 2024, Cleveland recorded 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

On3’s @SWiltfong_ and @ChadSimmons_ have logged expert predictions for Texas to land 4-star DL Vodney Cleveland

Intel: https://t.co/ZATPzC8tVa pic.twitter.com/hgDend0u9E
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 18, 2025

Cleveland initially committed to Alabama on Oct. 31, 2024, but his pledge lasted a little under two months. He decommitted from the Crimson Tide on Dec. 16 and has since taken official visits to Florida, Georgia, Auburn, UNC, Texas and Miami.

Earlier in the week, Inside Texas' Eric Nahlin submitted a 85% confidence level in Texas to land Cleveland as well. On3's recruiting prediction machine now shows the Longhorns as the heavy favorite in Cleveland's recruitment with a 93.8% chance of landing him.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are preparing for a big recruiting weekend over the next few days. It wouldn't come as a shock to see a couple of commitments follow shortly after.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: