The Texas Longhorns are heading into the 2025 season on the back of consecutive College Football Playoff berths.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has taken the Longhorns to the semifinal in both instances, but Texas did not get good news on one of its recruiting targets Thursday.
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On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that 2026 offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe committed to the USC Trojans over Texas, the Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs.
Texas was searching for offensive linemen after losing two of its tackles to the 2025 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints took Kelvin Banks Jr., and the Philadelphia Eagles took Cameron Williams.
Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. © Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Pepe is a four-star prospect, the No. 44 overall recruit and No. 5 offensive tackle in the On3 Industry Rankings. He attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The Longhorns had Pepe on campus for one visit before his commitment to USC. He also visited Miami, the Oregon Ducks, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia, the Oregon State Beavers, USC, and Florida.
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Texas has the 12th overall 2026 class via On3 Sports. The Longhorns have commitments from five-star quarterback Dia Bell, four-star receiver Chris Stewart, four-star offensive tackle Max Wright and three-star inside offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson.
The Longhorns’ first season in the SEC was a successful one. Texas reached the SEC Championship Game after going 11-1 in the regular season. The Longhorns lost to Georgia in overtime, 22-19, but were still the No. 5 seed in the 12-team playoff.
Texas beat the Clemson Tigers and the Arizona State Sun Devils to reach the semifinal round. The Longhorns’ season ended with a 28-14 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, who went on to win the national title.
Texas’ 2025 season opener is with Ohio State on Aug. 30.
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