Five-star cornerback John Meredith III has committed to Texas, opting for the Longhorns over in-state finalist Texas A&M following official visits with both universities in recent weeks, Yankee Scores reports.
Meredith, ESPN’s No. 1 cornerback prospect in the class of 2027, announced the news Friday on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show.
Breaking: John Meredith III, the No. 2 ranked recruit in the 2027 SC Next 300, has committed to Texas, he announced on the @PatMcAfeeShow. pic.twitter.com/bbB6WIOLxZ
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) June 19, 2026
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Fort Worth defender is the No. 2 overall prospect in SC Next 300 and currently the highest-ranked among eight top-300 talents committed to Texas in coach Steve Sarkisian’s recruiting class.
A Blow to the Aggies
The commitment is a major blow to Texas A&M, which had Meredith as one of its top remaining targets in the 2027 class, and a big swing for Texas after the Longhorns apparently beat the Aggies in their season opener before earning this recruiting victory as well, according ESPN.
Meredith is the second five-star in the 2027 class for Texas, joining No. 1 wide receiver Easton Royal. He joins the third top-100 defender to join the Longhorns’ class since June 11, including the recent pledge of outside linebacker Jabarrius Garror.
Coaches Behind the Chase
Sources stated Texas cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey and first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp were at the forefront of the university’s chase for Meredith, who had his official visit with the program from June 5-7.
The Longhorns were ranked No. 10 in ESPN’s class rankings for the cycle going into Friday and should move even higher with the addition.
Uncertainty Off the Field
Meredith’s off-field situation remains difficult, his college future is already resolved, but the status of his last prep season remains unclear after he was ruled ineligible for his senior season in a 5-2 decision at a district executive committee meeting in January after moving from Euless Trinity to North Crowley.
With Meredith and Royal, Sarkisian continues to construct one of the nation’s top classes — and protect one of the state’s finest talents from leaving Texas.
