Texas beats Texas A&M for 5-star CB John Meredith III, No. 2 player in Class of 2027

For months, Texas and Texas A&M have been competing for five-star cornerback John Meredith III, the nation’s No. 2 prospect and one of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2027.

We now have a winner.

Meredith, the five-star phenom out of Fort Worth, Texas, committed to Texas on Friday afternoon, giving head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns not only their biggest recruiting win of the year, but also one at the expense of their rivals.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Meredith also picked the Longhorns over fellow finalist Alabama, but this ended up being an in-state battle between the Longhorns and Aggies.

Meredith took an official visit to Texas A&M late last month and was in Austin the following week as he closed in on a decision.

He originally had a top six that also included Notre Dame, Ohio State and Miami in March, but he trimmed his list during official visit season, laying the groundwork for an intriguing battle in the Lone Star State.

In landing Meredith, the Longhorns now have their highest-rated recruit since quarterback Arch Manning committed in the Class of 2023.

Meredith joins wide receiver Easton Royal as the second five-star prospect in Texas’ class.

Should he sign, Meredith would be Texas’ highest-rated defensive back prospect of the modern era, just two cycles after the Longhorns signed five-star safety Jonah Williams.