John Meredith ended up choosing the Longhorns over the Aggies, their home state rival. The second best prospect from the Class of 2027 saw the perfect fit in Steve Sarkisian’s program with the advantage of playing for his home state. In this process, he had to omit the team he loves. So, after choosing his recruiting winner, Meredith stepped in to clarify his feelings about why he chose the Longhorns over the Aggies and sent a message to the rival.

“I love A&M to death. It’s nothing personal. It’s business,” said Meredith to Rivals, as reported by Sam Spiegelman on June 26.

Sarkisian’s Texas offered the CB during his freshman year of high school. A&M followed with their own offer in June 2024. Despite that, Texas and Texas A&M both made the cut as finalists in the recruitment for the nation’s No. 1 CB.

Even ON3’s Steve Wiltfong called it a “two-team” race. However, the June 5 official visit to Austin changed the CB’s mindset, and he ultimately committed to Texas on June 19.

“After that visit, Me and Coach Sark, Coach O [Mark Orphey] got closer,” said Meredith. “They were keeping it real with me. I want to be the best DB in the world, and Texas will help me through it. I believe that Texas can do it.”

The Lone Star State rivalry reached a fever pitch as both Mike Elko’s Aggies and Sarkisian’s Longhorns threw immense resources into securing the elite lock-down corner. Meredith announced his commitment live on the Pat McAfee Show. Meanwhile for the Aggies, losing out on the nation’s best corner to their chief rival is a tough blow, but Mike Elko’s staff has immediately pivoted. They are pouring their defensive focus into completing their secondary class with fellow five-star target Joshua Dobson, who announces in early July.

If you look at last season’s performance, A&M had outscored Texas. But Meredith prefers challenge over comfort. A&M was in a good position in his recruitment, and he also took an official visit to College Station from May 29-31. But he chose his development opportunity above all, which he found in Austin. But making this decision was tough for the 2027 CB prospect.

“It was hard,” said Meredith. “I really wanted to go to A&M. I always felt the love in Texas. I was comfortable at A&M, but in reality, you can’t settle where you’re comfortable.”

Despite cementing his college future, Meredith is currently dealing with an off-field hurdle. A district athletic committee recently ruled him ineligible for his upcoming high school season, declaring his offseason transfer from Euless Trinity to North Crowley was done for purely athletic purposes. Meredith and his family are actively appealing the ruling.

Though the CB is ineligible to play his senior season at high school, when he does come to Texas, he will bring his elite cornerback skills with him. As a junior, he led the Euless Trinity to an 8-3 season and earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honors. The two-way player was outstanding in track and field at his high school. Analysts often compare him to NFL CB Christian Gonzalez. He also possesses prototype length, a blazing 4.3 speed, and massive closing burst, drawing heavy comparisons to NFL star Jalen Ramsey.

What helped Texas to close the deal?

Though John Meredith called it a “business” decision, connection played a huge role in choosing the Longhorns. Texas CBs coach Mark Orphey, the primary recruiter in the CBs’ recruitment, has built a strong relationship with Meredith since extending an offer. That connection finally paid off for Texas despite the Aggies’ strong push.

“It’s all about the development part. I put all my trust and all my beans in their hands,” said Meredith to Rivals. “I can call Coach O in the morning, at night, whatever it is. He watches my reps, and he tells me what was wrong. He has a great protocol.”

For the Longhorns, landing Meredith vaults their 2027 class securely into the top 10 nationally. He serves as the definitive “alpha” defensive anchor of a class that already boasts five-star wide receiver Easton Royal.

Sarkisian’s Texas beat programs like Alabama, Texas A&M, and OSU, among others, to secure this blue chip talent. He had more than 40 scholarship offers before he narrowed down his list for top schools. It’s a big recruiting achievement for Sarkisian and the Longhorns who are firmly in their championship winning window.