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Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian surprisingly in mix to land elite defensive recruit and brother of NFL All-Pro amid visits

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Travis May | Last updated May 24, 2025 12:33 AM ET

Steve Sarkisian and his Texas Longhorns staff got off to quite a slow start on their 2026 recruiting class but it's ramping up quickly amid several key visits. They've added four high pedigree recruiting commits in the month of May alone, and that momentum doesn't look to be slowing.

Every single one of the Longhorns staffers are pushing hard with official visits coming up throughout the next month, including Mark Orphey the cornerbacks coach. Orphey and company have already landed one elite cornerback this month stealing Hayward Howard away from LSU territory. Now Orphey's on the trail again hoping to land the brother of a three-time All-Pro defensive back.

Justice Fitzpatrick, Four Star CB Recruit

Justice Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of two-time college football national champion and three-time NFL All-Pro defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Minkah actually played for Steve Sarkisian back in 2016 when he was as Alabama, so there's already a family connection. Mark Orphey made sure there was another highly invested coaching connection this week by visiting Justice in person (as you can see in the post below).

Texas coach Mark Orphey visited elite CB Justice Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick ranks No. 35 NATL. (No. 5 CB) in the 2026 On300.https://t.co/6tIuebDTZt pic.twitter.com/fpI8662VHz
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 23, 2025

Fitzpatrick is a highly rated four star cornerback recruit on the fringe of possibly rising into official five star status with one more strong season. He boasts elite track speed with a 10.7-second 100-meter track time, incredible production with nearly double digit passes defended last fall, and of course incredible pedigree thanks to his brother Minkah.

Texas wasn't really firmly in the mix to land Fitzpatrick at all until this spring when he visited unofficially. However, he then set an official with the Longhorns for June shortly thereafter. Many still believe the St. Thomas Aquinas product will still land with the Miami Hurricanes given the proximity, but he and his family's feedback towards Texas has been extremely positive since March.

It would still likely be a surprise if he lands with the Longhorns, but the ties with his brother, the professionalism of Texas' program mentioned on multiple occasions by his family, the fact Texas just sent a defensive back to the first round of the NFL Draft in Jahdae, and possible early opportunity look good for the Longhorns.

Texas is expected to send both cornerback Malik Muhammad and safety Michael Taaffe on to be selected in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft as well, so Steve Sarkisian and his CBs coach Mark Orphey certainly have a strong pitch for their ability to develop players into NFL talent. And given the mass departures expected via the Longhorns secondary (on to the NFL) next spring there should be ample opportunity for Fitzpatrick to start rather early on into his career. Hopefully Texas can push hard late and get Fitzpatrick to commit ahead of his final season here soon.

We'll be back with more Texas Longhorns coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

If you want to check out some of the best plays from Justice Fitzpatrick to see why Texas is pushing hard late to add him to their 2026 recruiting class enjoy his junior season highlights below.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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