Well, recruiting has turned into a high-stakes poker game, and when a blue-chip recruit is on the table, everyone goes all in. Plus, when top programs battle for the same prize, clashes are irresistible. And this time the heat is on Steve Sarkisian. With a major ACC team circling Sark’s four-star crown jewel, things looked shaky for Texas. But his $10.1B NFL turnaround completely changed the game. Instead of scrambling, he now holds the upper hand just like Tony Stark, locking in on his next move.

Who would’ve thought turning down the Dallas Cowboys coaching offer would end up as a massive win for Steve Sarkisian? But here we are. Currently, Texas and Sark are synonymous; his impact transcends mere coaching, embodying a belief system that draws in recruits. And Forney’s four-star running back Javian Osborne? He’s all in on Sark. Talking about his interest, Josh Newberg says on On3 Recruits, “As soon as the Osbornes learned that Sark’s choice was staying in Austin and not taking the job with the Dallas Cowboys, that kept Texas right in the mix.” 

Now here’s where it gets tricky. No wonder Texas is the first runner in recruiting Osborne, but there’s another team that might be a threat to Steve Sarkisian’s future aspirations. As Newberg says, “But SMU is being sneaky good in this recruitment. They’ve done a tremendous job, and if it weren’t for those first two schools, I think SMU would be the choice.” Well, there’s no doubt that Mustangs are stacked up on high-rated recruits like Dramodd Odoms, Jalen Cooper, or Ty Hawkins, which gives them an upper hand, but then let’s not forget Texas history with running backs.

Well, let’s not forget Longhorns produced talented pro-league backs like Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Jonathan Brooks. Plus, Steve Sarkisian has turned Texas into a playoff regular, leading the Longhorns to back-to-back CFP semifinal appearances. In the process, he’s delivered Texas’ first consecutive 10-win seasons since 2008-09. With a 38-17 record at UT through year 5, Sark shows no signs of slowing down. Most importantly, their recruiting class stands at no. 1 nationally, whereas SMU’s is at the 31st position.

Moreover, Javian Osborne has always been a Texas fan, especially his love for Steve Sarkisian, which makes them his priority. As he said, “Texas, they’ve been in the picture since freshman year. I love how Coach Sarkisian utilizes running backs in the pass game and in the run. Just being able to utilize them in different situations. Coach Choice as well; he’s been in the picture since my freshman year.” Now you can understand what Newberg meant when he said Sark’s presence in the team changed things for Javin. But SMU is not the only team that’s running behind this No. 5 ranked running back in his class.

Sherrone Moore becoming a threat to Steve Sarkisian

Well, Steve Sarkisian’s recent move in the NFL has placed him right in contention for Javian Osborne, but he’s not the only one in pursuit. Alabama, FSU, and Georgia are all making strong efforts, but the real threat comes from Sherrone Moore’s Michigan. Osborne has shown interest in Alabama, visited Georgia, and received an offer from them, but Michigan stands out as a significant competitor.

And it’s no wonder why–Osborne has proven to be a dominant force as a sophomore, showcasing his explosive burst, sharp vision, and exceptional cutting ability that gives defenses nightmares. He’s not just quick; he’s also strategic, skillfully setting up defenders before leaving them in the dust. Although not blazingly fast, his 11.05-second 100m sprint in Spring 2024 is still very impressive. With such a remarkable skill set, it’s no wonder teams are fighting for him.

Even Newberg highlights the same thing, saying, “At the same time, he really likes Michigan and what they’re building in Ann Arbor. And for good reason—they’re coming off a national championship two years ago. Look, it’s still Texas vs. Michigan. He’s going to pick one of those two schools, in my opinion.” So for now the catfight is between Michigan and Longhorns.

Moreover, Osborne and five-star Savion Hiter are forming a dream duo for Tony Alford in 2026, and Michigan is on the brink of making that a reality. Both recruits have already visited the campus multiple times and are expected to return this spring, solidifying Michigan’s position in the race for their commitments. Even Osborne is inclined towards Tony’s constant push towards him as he says, “(Running backs) coach TA (Tony Alford), ever since he stepped into office from Ohio State, he’s just been recruiting me hard,” Now with Michigan playing its card and Steve Sarkisian pulling strings let’s see which team ultimately lands Osborne!