SEC Earthquake: Five-Star DL James Johnson Flips from Georgia to Texas — Bulldogs Stunned as Longhorns Win High-Stakes NIL Showdown
In a seismic shift that could redefine the landscape of SEC recruiting battles, five-star defensive lineman James Johnson has officially flipped his commitment from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Texas Longhorns, sending shockwaves across the college football world. Once thought to be a cornerstone of Georgia’s future defensive line, Johnson’s last-minute reversal marks a massive win for Texas — and a painful loss for Kirby Smart’s powerhouse program.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing over 280 pounds, Johnson is widely regarded as one of the top defensive linemen in the Class of 2025. The Georgia native had been committed to the Bulldogs since early spring and had appeared locked in with the program. He visited Athens multiple times, attended games, and built close ties with UGA coaches, including defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.
Recruiting analysts long believed it was a done deal. Johnson had publicly praised Georgia’s tradition, development track record, and NFL pipeline — all reasons he cited for his original commitment. But beneath the surface, pressure was quietly mounting.
Texas had remained in the shadows for months, never fully giving up on the elite prospect. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and his recruiting staff — particularly defensive line coach Bo Davis — continued communicating with Johnson’s camp, methodically working to change the narrative. According to multiple insiders, the Longhorns ramped up their pursuit over the last few weeks, leading to a crucial final visit to Austin.
Johnson was reportedly “blown away” by the Texas pitch — not just the facilities or the coaching staff’s vision, but also by the NIL structure in place. The Longhorns have been aggressive and strategic in their NIL efforts, especially in the trenches. Several sources confirm that Texas boosters presented a compelling and legally structured NIL package that dwarfed what Johnson had been expecting elsewhere.
While NIL deals have become an unavoidable part of modern recruiting, few flips have so clearly highlighted the influence of these financial opportunities. Georgia, long considered a dominant force in recruiting, was outmatched in this battle not on tradition or development, but in monetary backing. According to reports, the NIL offer presented by Texas exceeded Georgia’s by a substantial margin — enough to prompt Johnson and his family to reconsider their long-standing loyalty to Athens.
This isn’t just a recruiting loss. It’s a signal that even the best-run programs in college football must evolve quickly or risk losing top-tier talent. Georgia’s staff was said to be “blindsided” by the decision, with one source describing the loss as “devastating” considering how close Johnson was to enrolling early.
For the Longhorns, this is nothing short of a triumph. Texas is entering its first season as a full-fledged SEC member, and flipping a blue-chip recruit from a two-time national champion like Georgia sends a message to the rest of the conference: Texas is here, and they’re not backing down.
Sarkisian has already assembled a promising 2025 class, but Johnson becomes the crown jewel — a player who can anchor the defensive front from Day 1. His combination of size, speed, and technique makes him one of the most college-ready prospects in the country. Bo Davis, known for developing NFL-level talent, now gets another elite pupil.
As for Georgia, this loss will sting — not just because of Johnson’s talent, but because of how late and dramatic the flip was. It’s a reminder that even the strongest relationships can be tested in the NIL era. Kirby Smart and his staff will now have to double down on retaining the rest of their elite class while possibly reopening their pursuit of several top-tier defensive linemen still on the board.
