Steve Sarkisian has got his pen ready to ink a big 2025 for Texas, and with the Longhorns sitting at the top of the On3 recruiting rankings, it looks like the hype train’s already left the station. They have hunted down five 5-stars, thirteen 4-stars, and seven 3-stars. However, Sarkisian has yet to hit the ‘SETTLE’ button. Rather, his next mission is to add another player to his overflowing treasure trove of 5 stars for the 2026 class. And guess what? Texas is close to fulfilling their dream as the 5-star player also places them on a pedestal among his top choices. Meanwhile, Sarkisian and Co. have been hit with a limit when it comes to offering scholarships.

The Longhorns’ 2025 class comes off as an invincible force. They are now a big 5-star family with edge rusher Lance Jackson, safety Jonah Williams, and receiver Kaliq Lockett, among others. But being the perfectionist that he is, Sarkisian makes some early preparations to bolster his 2026 class. Right now, the hot target for them is the Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge 5-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo. Turns out that the attraction is mutual here. Ojo cherishes the effort that Sarkisian and Co. are putting into bringing him to Austin. This marks a major criterion in his choice of the next home. 

On April 5, On3 came up with Steve Wiltfong’s report from his interview with Ojo. “5-star OT Felix Ojo continues to feel like a top priority for Texas, he tells @SWiltfong_ 🤘.” The player was back in Texas on Thursday, April 3. The programs running to woo him are Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss. But amidst this crowd, Sarkisian’s program definitely has the edge as Ojo sees himself in Austin. “My latest visit was great. Always nice to go back and see the coaches and players.” Other than this, something else stands out when it comes to Longhorns’ chase….

“What continues to excite me about my opportunities is the ability to play early with the situation they have over there. Also just how the whole staff sees me as a top priority with Sark saying I’m their franchise player and the No.1 player they have to get in the class, and that means a lot to me.” Yes, the quintessential ‘make them feel good’ factor stands out, as always. Also, the cultural factor plays a big role here. Sarkisian’s boys made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. They have claimed the national titles four times. 

Ojo thus said, “What makes Texas a great program is just the culture they have there, and their ability to keep that culture as the years move on. And they’re having so much success because of that and the standard they hold the players too.” However, Sarkisian is yet to get a good night’s sleep until he gets to hear the ‘committed’ word from Ojo. A big test awaits the Longhorns….

During the April 5-6 weekend, he will be paying a visit to the reigning National Champions, Ohio State Buckeyes. His official visits start with Ole Miss on April 18, Ohio State on May 30, Michigan on June 6, Texas on June 13, and finally Oklahoma on June 20. While Sark is busy trying to land the massive 6’7″, 283-pound Ojo, he’s also got other things pulling his focus.  

Steve Sarkisian’s roster math just got trickier with limited scholarships

Moving into the spring portal, the Longhorns must be stocked up with some lucrative scholarship offers. While the House vs. NCAA settlement is still pending, more scholarships will be available to Texas athletes in the future. Back in February, Chris Del Conte, Texas athletic director, announced the addition of nearly 200 scholarships. From now on, they will be having 466. This is a big jump, almost double, compared to the 266.2 scholarships allocated for its 19 sports. However, when it comes to Texas men’s football, the share is thin. 

The Longhorns will have to operate with an 85-man scholarship limit in the 2025 season due to Southeastern Conference regulations. Right now the Texas 2025 class looks like this: quarterbacks (3), running back (6), wide receiver (8), tight end (5), offensive line (16), defensive tackle (8), EDGE (6), linebacker (7), and so on and so forth. However, while Sarkisian and other Texas sports head coaches get to avail themselves of a revamped scholarship structure, it comes with a cost. 

Del Conte estimated that this increase in scholarships will annually cost UT $9.2 million. Plus, the University of Texas plans on sharing its publicity rights with its athletes, and that’s another $20.5 million that will be added to the budget. The spring window will be open between April 16 and April 25. Steve Sarkisian might need more spreadsheets with the scholarship squeeze in play.