Although recruiting is always unpredictable, Texas seems to be in a downward spiral right now. The Longhorns are once again witnessing the loss of valuable recruits, much like they did last year when they lost some high-profile targets before recovering. It’s beginning to feel like deja vu, but without the bright side. The hits are coming hard and fast, leaving fans wondering – what’s going on in Austin this time?

Despite the recent wave of recruiting setbacks, head coach Steve Sarkisian remains confident in Texas’ approach, especially with the complexities of NIL. “I think NIL has been good for the University of Texas. I think that we’ve managed it the right way. I think we’re fair with our players. We look at the value of the player on our roster and where he might sit. And then we put a number on it and it is what it is,” Sarkisian explained. But there’s more to just being ‘fair’ with the players, and in this case, the x-factor might be communication.

Havon Finney, the four-star cornerback from Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California, from the class of 2026, who Texas pursued (along with USC, Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon), is sticking to his pledge. Finney’s commitment to LSU in April was evidence of how connections and trust can influence a player’s choice. The way LSU’s defensive backs coach Corey Raymond kept in close contact with Finney and made him feel like family was what most impressed him during his recruitment.

“Just talking to coach Raymond a lot and the LSU staff, it really felt like I had a great connection,” Finney said. Even though USC was his first offer, and Donte Williams, the then-interim USC head coach, was deeply involved early on, things changed when Williams left the program. Finney explained, “They tried to build a connection late, but LSU has been talking to me ever since they offered me, and they stayed with that strong connection a lot.” Beyond the close relationship, Finney’s decision was greatly influenced by LSU’s track record of producing outstanding defensive backs like Derek Stingley Jr. and Elias Ricks.

“He put a lot of guys in the league like Derek Stingley, Elias Ricks, [and] many people that I really look up to. That means a lot because those people have done what I want to do,” Finney said. Even with offers and recruiting efforts from other top programs such as Michigan, Texas, Miami, and Auburn, Finney has remained committed. “Colleges are still trying to get at me, but I’m 100 percent committed still,” Finney said. “I love coach Raymond, I love the whole coaching staff, honestly. They show me a lot of love, and they keep the connection going, reaching out before games.”

Texas focuses on long-term goals, but it loses top recruits

Texas is battling dozens of schools, and money can quickly tip the scales in this arms race for recruits. It’s difficult for Texas to match every offer if Texas Tech invests a significant portion of its budget in one player or Alabama decides to go all in on a safety. Felix Ojo, a five-star offensive tackle, picked Texas Tech over Texas due to a “straight-up better NIL package,” which is a three-year, $5.1 million contract that is fully guaranteed. This was not the first time that money was involved. Texas made headlines last year when they used a late NIL boost to acquire five-star linebacker Justus Terry over Georgia, but they can’t use that tactic for every recruit.

Still, Texas isn’t throwing money around recklessly. Coach Sarkisian insists that their approach is more focused on long-term development. “I honestly think this is the best place in the country to come play football at,” Sarkisian said. He acknowledged that every Power Five school has the funds, so players need to look beyond flashy offers. “This is short-term money. I want to look at more the long-term money… I’ve got a lot more lanes to achieve that, just this spot over here that’s just got one avenue,” he explained.

Despite that message, Texas may still lose out on blue-chip prospects. Because Georgia, Clemson, and Texas A&M offered a better fit, scheme, or development plan, players like defensive lineman James Johnson, edge rusher De Quinn, safety Chace Calicut, and Jermichael Finley’s son, Kaydon Finley, all chose other programs over Texas. Johnson told On3 that “Georgia is DLU.” Texas’ refusal to participate in bidding wars comes with a price. In today’s fiercely competitive recruiting world, integrity does not always translate into success, as seen by the fact that for every Justus Terry victory, others, like Ojo or Calicut, fall through the cracks.