Newest Texas five-star commit already showing traits of being a Longhorns ambassador and face of Steve Sarkisian's program
The recruitment of elite five-star pass-rusher Richie Wesley could be one of the biggest defining moments for Steve Sarkisian's tenure at Texas. Only four signed players in Texas' history ranked higher than Wesley as a prospect, and the toolsy edge defender will usher in the next era of scary presences after Colin Simmons. After reclassifying […]
The recruitment of elite five-star pass-rusher Richie Wesley could be one of the biggest defining moments for Steve Sarkisian's tenure at Texas. Only four signed players in Texas' history ranked higher than Wesley as a prospect, and the toolsy edge defender will usher in the next era of scary presences after Colin Simmons.
After reclassifying from 2027 to 2026 and then subsequently flipping from Oregon to Texas, Wesley had a lot to say about what drew him to Texas instead of Eugene. The most important thing for Sarkisian right now is that Wesley is closing his recruitment.
Wesley told Jason Suchomel of OrangeBloods.com, "My recruitment is 100 percent, 1,000 percent shut down. I'm going here in January."
The Los Angeles native explained that visiting Texas was about much more than just what happens on Saturdays.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound EDGE talked to Rivals National recruiting director Adam Gorney about his decision. Wesley opened up a novel's worth of information.
"I knew Texas was a great school. Not only for football, but academically. They have great degrees. Great business school. Great every school. I felt like the decision was the best of both worlds. I get to play in the SEC but I also get to walk out with a great degree. God forbid, football's not forever. So if I do get hurt, in the long run I still walk out with something good. It was all the coaches combined. But what really convinced me was from the academic standpoint."
Of course, enjoying his football career and becoming an established winner is part of the formula. He was asked about his main goal, and it's not a surprising one.
"My goal is to win the natty. You know, I want to win a state championship this high school season. I want to win one my college season. It's great knowing my team is going to be very elite when I get there and I'm going to continue the legacy."
The surprising part of his flip was how he committed to Oregon on May 10, but quickly decommitted two weeks later. He said his family was concerned about the speed of his decision, and his reevaluation period brought him to Texas for an official visit.
Having someone go through a strenuous recruitment period with so much change but ultimately be intimately familiar with Texas' strengths can be a tremendous asset when it comes to talking to recruits on campus and being a spokesperson and leader.
Here's what 247Sports had to say about Wesley:
"Wesley was a top five overall prospect in the ’27 class before re-classifying to the ’26 class. A very talented player and the best edge prospect to come out of California since at least Kayvon Thibodeaux from the class of 2019. Has actually been comped to Thibodeaux in terms of frame and play style but at the same stage in their development, might looks further along from a size, strength and toughness standpoint."
"Shows off natural pass rush ability and can dominate the run game as well. Flashes a quick get-off, uses his hands well and can bend, dip and explode off the corner. Strong at the point of attack and shows off a nice physical edge in his game. Loves the weight room and has the multi-sport background we like to see in an edge rusher as well. When you combine his size, natural athleticism, motor and work ethic, his ceiling is as high as any player out West."
