Steve Sarkisian adding five-star DL Justus Terry likely clinches No. 1 ranking for Longhorns 2025 recruiting class
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was still thinking about Saturday’s loss to Georgia when he spoke with reporters by Zoom on Sunday. But his voice picked up when asked about Justus Terry. The Longhorns were able to steal one of the nation’s top defensive recruits right out from under the Bulldogs’ nose. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder from […]
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was still thinking about Saturday’s loss to Georgia when he spoke with reporters by Zoom on Sunday. But his voice picked up when asked about Justus Terry.
The Longhorns were able to steal one of the nation’s top defensive recruits right out from under the Bulldogs’ nose.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder from Manchester, Ga., told DawgNation he made a “business decision” to sign with Texas over Georgia. The five-star prospect likely cemented UT’s status of having the No. 1 ranking in the recruiting class of 2025.
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“Justus Terry is a great signee for us,” Sarkisian said. “Obviously, and we and y’all are seeing, the impact that defensive linemen have in the Southeastern Conference is critical. I talk about big humans. Think most people always assume I'm talking about offensive lineman, but I'm talking about defensive lineman as well.
“I thought we signed a really nice defensive line class with (Josiah) Sharma, (Myron) Charles, and then obviously our edge players coming in,” the coach added. “So it was a nice ending to the early signing period for us.
“I think it made us feel really good about this is a balanced class, but yet we address some real needs. And obviously in our conference, it starts up front, most notably the defensive front.”
Terry was long thought to be going to Georgia. Most in the Peach State assume Terry landed a bigger NIL deal with Texas than he did UT. But the Horns can also point to a string of player development success the last two years under two different defensive line coaches, too.
“I kind of finalized it this week,” Terry told DawgNation. “You know really just doing some hard thinking and praying on my decision. I really didn’t want to focus on it too much. I’m trying to make a state championship run with the guys.
“I really didn’t want to worry about it too much but later this week I decided to take two days and clear my mind and talk to God. When I had my decision, I felt good about it and then slept on it, woke up and then I was ready.”
Terry added, “I just made my decision (Wednesday).”
