Texas football secured a significant commitment from four-star running back James Simon on Wednesday. Simon is the second running back to join the Longhorns’ 2025 recruiting class, making him their 10th commit overall. So far, Texas has signed no five-star recruits, but has secured seven four-stars and three three-stars. The Longhorns’ 2025 class is currently ranked 13th nationally, though this could change as the cycle progresses.
“BREAKING: Four-Star RB James Simon has Committed to Texas, he tells me for @on3recruits,” tweeted Hayes Fawcett. “The 6’0”, 197 lb RB from Shreveport, LA, chose the Longhorns over LSU and Notre Dame.”
This is a notable acquisition for Texas, and Simon has already expressed enthusiasm for the Red River Rivalry. In his commitment announcement, Simon took a jab at Oklahoma: “SEC takeover sucks to be a Sooner HOOK EM,” he said.
Both Texas and Oklahoma are set to join the SEC next season, prompting Simon’s SEC comment. This move is part of significant conference realignment, with the Pac-12 dissolving and major shifts occurring in the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and SEC. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC is a major development.
According to 247 Sports, Simon is a four-star recruit, ranked #200 overall in the 2025 class, the #13 running back, and the #4 player in Louisiana. He currently attends Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, and received offers from several prestigious programs before choosing Texas. The upcoming season in the SEC is pivotal for Texas.
Texas is set for a significant year as they transition to the SEC. The Longhorns are expected to be among the top teams in college football, returning many key players from last year’s College Football Playoff team. They won the Big 12 in their final season in the conference and now need to prove their competitiveness in the SEC. This season is crucial, as it will test whether they can compete with top-tier SEC teams.
Life in the SEC will be tougher than in the Big 12. Texas had a relatively easy schedule last year but managed to perform well. This season, they face a challenging conference schedule and must play the defending national champions, Michigan, in week two.
Winning games in 2024 will be much harder for Texas compared to 2023. The schedule is daunting, but the Longhorns have the talent to compete with any team.
