Bryce Young 2.0? Longhorns QB Commit K.J. Lacey Has 'More Upside' Than Heisman Winner

The Texas Longhorns could be getting a special one in 2025 QB K.J. Lacey.

@kjlacey7 - Twitter

On June 3, the Texas Longhorns landed a commitment from four-star quarterback KJ Lacey, making him the first commitment of the 2025 class for Steve Sarkisian.

And that commitment was a major one for the Longhorns as well, giving them a bonified leader and elite talent at the most important position on the field for the foreseeable future. 

The number 80 overall recruit in the 2025 class (No. 5 quarterback), per On3's industry composite ranking, Lacey committed to Texas over schools such as Alabama, Texas A&M, Oregon, Tennessee, and Auburn, giving the Longhorns a major win over some of the countries top recruiting bluebloods. 

And even as just a sophomore, he is being compared as one of the best to ever do it, former Alabama QB and No. 1 NFL Draft pick, Bryce Young.

“He reminds me of Bryce Young,” QB Country founder Dave Morris told AL.com. “The way he’s real instinctive in the pocket. He never panics, always moves the right way. I told (Ole Miss coach) Lane (Kiffin) when they offered him that I thought he was like Bryce Young with more upside because he’s already bigger."

This upcoming season, Lacey has his eyes set on becoming back-to-back state champs. Saraland will open its 2023 season against Daphne high school on Friday, August 28.

So what will the Horns get in in their new gunslinger? 

Checkout LonghornsCountry.com's scouting report below:

Lacey is undersized at 5 '11, 180 lbs, but makes up for it with his incredible arm talent. In 2022, he threw for 3177 yards and 40 touchdowns to just five interceptions, while completing 63 percent of his passes. He also added four more scores on the ground. 

Lacey thrives under pressure and is elusive in the pocket, similar to quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Bryce Young. He was able to lead Saraland high school to its first-ever state championship, with an impressive 14-1 record. 

The best part about Lacey though, is that he was only a sophomore last season. He still has two more years of high school football to continue to grow and improve his game before he enrolls at Texas. 

Lacey is a gifted athlete, running a 4.7 40-yard dash, and squatting over 400 pounds as just a sophomore. 

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