Texas Misses Out on Top 2026 Offensive Tackle Prospect as Ohio State Lands Major Commitment — Another Recruiting Gut Punch for Longhorns

In a painful blow to the Texas Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting ambitions, elite offensive tackle prospect Jaylen Woods has officially committed to Ohio State, sending ripples across the college football recruiting landscape and dealing yet another setback to Steve Sarkisian’s program. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound lineman out of Katy, Texas, was widely regarded as one of the top offensive line targets in the country — and a must-land for a Longhorns program seeking to dominate in the trenches as it prepares for the rigors of the SEC.

Instead, the Buckeyes continue to flex their national recruiting power, prying away a premier Texas talent from the Lone Star State’s flagship university. It’s a familiar — and frustrating — narrative for Longhorn fans: a homegrown blue-chip prospect slips away to a traditional Big Ten power just when momentum seemed to be turning in Austin’s favor.

Woods, who ranks among the top five offensive tackles in the 2026 cycle and is a consensus top-50 national player, had long been a focal point of Texas’s recruiting efforts. His blend of size, footwork, and raw power made him an ideal fit for Kyle Flood’s offensive line scheme. Texas hosted him multiple times on campus, including a recent visit that many insiders believed had turned the tide in their favor.

But despite the positive signs and the in-state pull, it was Ohio State that ultimately sealed the deal. Offensive line coach Justin Frye led the charge for the Buckeyes, selling Woods on the program’s longstanding NFL pipeline, consistent playoff contention, and a clear development plan. According to sources close to Woods, Ohio State’s messaging was persistent, professional, and persuasive.

Losing a top Texas talent to a blueblood program like Ohio State is nothing new, but that doesn’t soften the blow for a Longhorn fan base that has grown increasingly sensitive to recruiting missteps. Just last cycle, Texas lost several high-priority targets to Alabama, Georgia, and LSU — and Woods’s decision now adds another layer of disappointment.

It’s particularly painful given the Longhorns’ recent offensive line momentum. Texas had begun to rebuild its “big man” reputation under Flood and Sarkisian, landing five-star Kelvin Banks Jr. in the 2022 class and stacking depth in subsequent cycles. Many believed Woods could be the next foundational piece, especially with a future left tackle vacancy looming in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes once again prove that geographic boundaries mean little in the modern recruiting arms race. With NIL opportunities, NFL track records, and a near-automatic shot at the College Football Playoff every year, Ohio State continues to invade southern territory — and win.

This commitment is a huge win for head coach Ryan Day and his staff, who have now secured their second top-tier offensive lineman in the 2026 cycle and continue to out-recruit SEC powers across key positions. The Buckeyes are assembling yet another class that looks poised to finish in the top three nationally, and Woods’s commitment could attract even more elite talent to Columbus.

Despite the disappointment, it’s not time to panic in Austin — at least not yet. The Longhorns are still in the mix for several other top 2026 offensive linemen, including national names like Micah Brewster and in-state standout Chris Bolden. Additionally, Sarkisian has made it clear that Texas will stay aggressive in both high school recruiting and the transfer portal to meet its roster needs.

Still, optics matter. Losing a prized local lineman — one who many assumed would eventually wear burnt orange — stings. It signals to fans and recruits alike that while Texas is on the rise, it still hasn’t locked down its own backyard.

For now, the Longhorns will regroup and attempt to rally for a strong close to the summer recruiting cycle. But the pressure is on. Every recruiting miss — especially one this visible — becomes ammunition for rival programs and adds urgency to Texas’s efforts as it aims to reestablish itself as a national powerhouse.