The Texas football team secured a significant commitment from four-star running back James Simon on Wednesday. Simon is the second running back to join the Longhorns from the 2025 recruiting class and the 10th overall commit. To date, Texas has not yet signed any five-star recruits but has obtained seven four-stars and three three-stars. Their 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked 13th in the nation, though it’s still early in the cycle, leaving ample time for rankings to change.
“BREAKING: Four-Star RB James Simon has Committed to Texas, he tells me for @on3recruits,” Hayes Fawcett said in a tweet. “The 6’0 197 RB from Shreveport, LA chose the Longhorns over LSU and Notre Dame.”
This is a significant acquisition for Texas football, and James Simon is already excited about the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns have a longstanding rivalry with Oklahoma football, and Simon took a jab at the Sooners with his commitment announcement.
“SEC takeover sucks to be a Sooner HOOK EM,” Simon declared.
Both Texas and Oklahoma are transitioning to the SEC this upcoming season, which explains Simon’s SEC remark. This move is part of a series of major shifts in the college football landscape. Conference realignment is causing significant changes, with the Pac-12 dissolving and the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and SEC all undergoing transformations. The move of the Longhorns and Sooners to the SEC is particularly noteworthy.
According to 247 Sports, Simon is a four-star recruit, ranked as the #200 player in the 2025 recruiting class, the #13 running back, and the #4 player in Louisiana. He currently attends Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. Simon received offers from many prestigious schools but ultimately chose Texas.
Year one in the SEC is going to be big for Texas
Texas football is gearing up for a significant year as they transition to the SEC. The Longhorns are anticipated to be one of the top teams in college football next season, returning much of the talent from last year’s College Football Playoff team. They concluded their final season in the Big 12 as champions and now need to demonstrate their capability in the SEC.
Next season is crucial for Texas, as this is one of the best teams they’ve had in years. Dominant in the Big 12, the Longhorns must now prove they can compete with the elite in the SEC.
Life in the SEC will undoubtedly be more challenging than in the Big 12. Although the Longhorns faced a relatively easy schedule last year and excelled, this season’s conference slate is filled with tough opponents. Additionally, they will face the defending national champions, Michigan, on the road in week two.
Winning games in 2024 will be much harder for Texas compared to 2023. Their schedule is daunting, but the Longhorns have the talent to compete with any team.
