Texas Secures 5-Star WR Easton Royal, Flips DE Jamarion Carlton

The University of Texas made significant strides in its football recruiting efforts over the weekend, securing the commitment of five-star wide receiver Easton Royal for the 2027 class. Royal, ranked No. 16 in the ESPN Junior 300, announced his decision on Saturday, bolstering the Longhorns’ roster as they finalize their 2026 recruiting class, currently ranked seventh according to ESPN.

Shortly after Royal’s announcement, Texas flipped the commitment of four-star defensive end Jamarion Carlton from Baylor. Carlton, who is ranked as the No. 96 overall prospect in the 2026 class, has been a target for Texas coaches, including head coach Steve Sarkisian. Carlton visited the Longhorns multiple times in recent weeks, culminating in his decision following Texas’ 27-17 victory over No. 3 Texas A&M.

Royal, a 6-foot, 195-pound athlete from New Orleans, has emerged as a top prospect, ranked as ESPN’s No. 3 wide receiver for the 2027 cycle. He chose Texas over a competitive field that included Ole Miss, LSU, Oregon, and other major programs. His commitment came a day after his visit to the campus, where he was impressed by the Longhorns’ performance against Texas A&M.

At Brother Martin High School in Louisiana, Royal had an outstanding season, recording 53 receptions for 1,151 yards and 17 touchdowns. His commitment marks the first addition to Texas’ 2027 class, positioning him as one of the highest-ranked prospects alongside five-stars Jamier Brown of Ohio State and Jalen Brewster of Texas Tech.

Texas’ recruiting efforts continue as they also pursue three-star safety commit Toray Davis from UCLA, who visited the campus during Week 14 of the season. Additionally, the Longhorns remain in discussions with two top-100 prospects from LSU: offensive tackle Brysten Martinez, ranked No. 84, and defensive tackle Richard Anderson, ranked No. 90, ahead of the early signing period.

As it stands, four-star wide receiver Chris Stewart, ranked No. 185, is the only ESPN 300 pass catcher set to sign with Texas for the 2026 class. The recent commitments and ongoing recruitment highlight Texas’ ambition to strengthen its football program as it looks ahead to future seasons.