Texas earns spot on exclusive list of one of the most-sought after blocker in the 2026 recruiting class
The Texas Longhorns are used to pumping out elite recruiting classes, but the energy around the program is at a high, unlike we've seen in more than a decade. Steve Sarkisian has prospects interested more than ever, and their upcoming 2025 season will give him the chance to win his first title in Austin. Going […]
The Texas Longhorns are used to pumping out elite recruiting classes, but the energy around the program is at a high, unlike we've seen in more than a decade. Steve Sarkisian has prospects interested more than ever, and their upcoming 2025 season will give him the chance to win his first title in Austin.
Going after Hawaii's second-best prospect, four-star tackle Malakai Lee, is a bit of a heat check for Sarkisian and the Longhorns. The 6-foot-7, 320-pounder fits the mold Cameron Williams and Kelvin Banks just left, and Texas could use another top blocker in their 2026 class.
This week, Lee dropped his final four list and dates for official visits. Texas is in the thick of the race.
The 10th-ranked tackle in the class is also considering Michigan, Alabama, and Georgia. He'll be in Austin on June 6, following his trip to Alabama, and before his journey to Michigan.
He's previously been quite complimentary of Michigan and Alabama, but hasn't made many statements about Georgia and Texas. Industry experts thought he was headed to USC, but the Trojans fell off his final list, so something changed in the race.
Since then, Michigan has picked up a crystal ball prediction, but there seems to be quite an open pathway for Texas to make up ground and secure Lee with a home run visit.
Here is 247Sports' scouting report on Lee:
From a traits standpoint, offensive linemen don’t come much better looking than Lee. He’s all of 6-6, 325 pounds with verified 36” arms and an 85”+ wingspan. He’s a fluid mover as well and has the feet, balance and frame to project as a tackle and could line up on either side, right or left in college. He plays a little hoops as well and checks off the multi-sport box for us. He uses his length well and has the ability to slide and mirror opposing edge rushers. He has added some physicality in the run game over the last year. He’s putting guys on their backs more but playing with a more aggressive edge to him is an area we think Lee can still improve on. Saying that, he’s an easy high Power 4 prospect and if he hits his ceiling, he will be playing football for a very long time.
