Longhorns land Top 30 2026 elite safety commitment

Texas Longhorns staff land big 2026 recruit in safety Zelus Hicks, beating out Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State and USC.

The Texas Longhorns have been on a recruiting roll. Recent additions to the 2025 class have boosted the team’s recruiting ranking into the Top 10, according to ESPN.

Today, the Texas staff got a big name for the 2026 class. 2026 safety Zelus Hicks, from Carrollton (GA), picked the Longhorns over a host of offers from the likes of Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and USC.

The 6-3, 180-pound Hicks is ranked as the No. 30 prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle, according to Rivals, who rank as the nation’s No. 4-ranked safety.

Hicks’ becomes the Longhorns’ third commitment in the 2026 class, joining QB Dia Bell and WR Chris Stewart.