Steve Sarkisian and Texas beat out Michigan and others for first 2028 commitment

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Steve Sarkisian and Texas beat out Michigan and others for first 2028 commitment

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jun 25, 2026 9:23 PM ET

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are on the board for 2028, and they've gotten on the board in fashion.

Texas' first 2028 commitment is a big one, as 4-star quarterback Neimann Lawrence from Plantation, Fla., (American Heritage High School) committed to the Longhorns on Thursday.

Notably, Texas beat out the Michigan Wolverines, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas A&M Aggies and Miami Hurricanes for this commitment.

That's a big-time recruiting battle if there ever was one, and Sarkisian and the Longhorns came out on top because of their perceived ability to develop the quarterback.

"The rich quarterback development history that they have with coach [Steve] Sarkisian and [quarterbacks] coach [AJ] Milwee," Lawrence told 247Sports when asked why he committed to Texas. "They have a long list of guys they developed over the past couple of years at Alabama and Texas as well. Being a part of that group and knowing that I'm going to be developed by a staff to go to the next level is the ultimate goal."

BREAKING: Four-Star QB Neimann Lawrence has Committed to Texas, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6'1 210 QB chose the Longhorns over Texas A&M, Miami, Notre Dame, and Michigan

“Everything's BIGGER in Texas!”https://t.co/Bqj6XcBzNQ pic.twitter.com/ilA1ZgutU5
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 25, 2026

Texas Longhorns land first 2028 recruit in QB Niemann Lawrence

When it comes to 2028 quarterbacks, Lawrence is among the top tier. In fact, according to the 247Sports Composite, he's the No. 5 quarterback in the 2028 class.

Lawrence has more than 30 offers already, but that's not surprising, because he's been getting action on the recruiting trail since middle school.

He technically still has a ton of time before he needs to make a decision. Heck, he's not even played his junior year of high school ball yet. He made this decision early so he can take an active role in helping Sarkisian and the Texas staff build up their 2028 class, though.

"I've been in this process for a long time, since my seventh-grade year," Lawrence said. "I wanted to get ahead of my recruitment so I can recruit for my class. I feel like I am a strong resource in the class of 2028, and I will be able to recruit a lot of guys to the University of Texas."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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