The College Football Playoff news isn’t positive for the Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff aren’t in the mix to sign the nation’s top recruiting class again in 2026, but those realities should only be minor dampers on Early Signing Day, a time for optimism about the program’s future with the hope that at least 25 prospects ink on Wednesday.

Texas remains in the mix for LSU offensive tackle pledge Brysten Martinez after hosting the Louisiana product on multiple visits between the termination of Brian Kelly and the hire of Lane Kiffin, making the nation’s No. 10 offensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite rankings the primary flip target to watch for the Longhorns.

Fort Bend Travis cornerback Josiah Vilmael visited the Fort Acres for the win over Arkansas, but after the Tuesday flip of safety Toray Davis from UCLA, it’s questionable whether there’s still a spot left in the class for the nation’s 1,643 prospect.

From the anxiety-inducing perspective, there are concerns about the status of Petal (Miss.) defensive tackle Corey Wells with Auburn pushing for the Texas commit prior to firing Hugh Freeze and a renewed effort from new head coach Alex Golesh in the hours before Early Signing Day.

While the big-framed Wells is a promising prospect, the larger concern regards Birmingham (Ala.) Parker standout Vodney Cleveland, who has reciprocated interest from North Carolina with multiple recent visits and has an announcement set for 8:30 a.m. Central that could feature some unsavory drama from the Texas perspective.

Following the November decommitment of Monroe (La.) Ouchita Parish defensive tackle Dylan Berymon, the potential to lose one or both of Wells and Cleveland would represent a significant blow to the efforts of position coach Kenny Baker in this cycle and force the Longhorns back into the NCAA transfer portal to land defensive tackles for a third consecutive offseason.

More secure are some of the top pledges in the class — Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage quarterback Dia Bell, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson linebacker Tyler Atkinson, Chatsworth (Calif.) edge Richard Wesley, and Willis athlete Jermaine Bishop.

Beyond those standouts, a significant longterm storyline in the 2026 class is how the late flips fare as four of the five lowest-rated non-specialists in the class were added in the last month.

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage QB Dia Bell — 6:32 a.m. Central

Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna RB Derrek Cooper

Portage (Mich.) Central TE Charlie Jilek — 6:56 a.m. Central

Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon EDGE Richard Wesley

Cornelius (N.C.) Hough CB Smoke Matthews — 6:45 a.m. Central

Ringgold (Ga.) Heritage K Jake Collett — 7:06 a.m. Central