Texas Among Top Four Teams for Coveted 2025 In-State Pass Rusher

Smith Orogbo is set to announce his commitment on July 1st, with the Longhorns solidly in the running.
Steve Sarkisian pulled off a top-10 recruiting class for 2022 despite going 5-7 in his first season as Longhorns coach.

Sark
Steve Sarkisian pulled off a top-10 recruiting class for 2022 despite going 5-7 in his first season as Longhorns coach. Sark / Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman / USA TODAY
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Four-star Smith Orogbo, one of the Texas Longhorns best pass-rushing targets in the 2025 class, has named Texas in his final four teams ahead of his July 1 commitment date.

On Sunday, Smith narrowed his decision down to the Longhorns, Washington, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. Jordan Scruggs, a lead expert at 247Sports, submitted a Crystal Ball prediction last week, with Orogbo expected to commit to Texas Tech. Scruggs has yet to miss on a 2025 prediction, but can Texas change the tide?

Texas hosted Orogbo over the weekend of June 14 and has made a strong case for the 6A First Team All-District Defensive End. Orogbo stands at 6’4, 220 pounds, and is 247Sports 25th ranked player in the entire state. Hailing from Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Orogbo has the chance to be Texas’ third defensive lineman in the class of 2025.

Texas’ defensive class is headlined by edge rusher Lance Jackson, the 12th-ranked player in the state who would have the chance to share the defensive line with Orogbo.

Orogbo will visit Oklahoma next weekend for his final official visit, giving the recruit one week to mull over his options. With a reportedly strong visit in Austin, the Longhorns may be able to steal away a pass rusher from both former and current college football rivals.


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Evan Vieth
EVAN VIETH

"Evan Vieth is a contributor covering the Texas Longhorns for Sports Illustrated and a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin, studying journalism and sports media. Since joining SI and On SI in May of 2024, Evan has dedicated his efforts to providing in-depth coverage of Texas athletics. He also serves as the sports editor for The Daily Texan, where his commitment to Texas Sports began in 2021. In addition to his work with SI and The Daily Texan, Evan has written for On SI, The Texan, and Dave Campbell's Texas Football. He created his own Texas Sports podcast, The 40 Yard Line, during his time at UT Austin. His reporting has taken him to locations like Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and The Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Originally from Washington, DC, Evan has been surrounded by sports his entire life, playing baseball and soccer and writing sports stories since high school. Follow him on Twitter @evanvieth or contact him via email at evanvieth@utexas.edu."