News Summary
Kosi Okpala, a 4-star linebacker from Mayde Creek High School, has named the Texas Longhorns among his top five college options as he prepares for a decision on July 3. The Longhorns are up against Baylor, Houston, North Carolina, and Penn State for his commitment. With impressive stats and growing rankings, Okpala’s decision has drawn attention from fans and analysts alike, particularly given his positive experiences with the Texas coaching staff.
Katy, Texas – Kosi Okpala, a highly-coveted 4-star linebacker from Mayde Creek High School, has placed the Texas Longhorns among his top five choices for college as he prepares to make a decision on July 3. The Longhorns are competing against Baylor Bears, Houston Cougars, North Carolina Tar Heels, and Penn State Nittany Lions for the talented recruit’s commitment.
According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Okpala stands out as the No. 19 linebacker in the 2026 class and the No. 35 recruit overall in Texas. His skill set and performance on the field have attracted significant attention from major college programs, and he is expected to make a substantial impact wherever he plays.
Recent predictions show strong support for Texas, as the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Longhorns a favorable edge in securing Okpala’s commitment. Additionally, recruiting insiders have expressed confidence in Okpala choosing Texas, further intensifying anticipation around his announcement.
Okpala’s admiration for the Texas coaching staff plays a crucial role in his decision-making. He has highlighted his positive interactions with Coach Johnny Nansen and Coach Steve Sarkisian. The linebacker believes that the University of Texas would enhance his skills and personal growth due to the high level of talent on the team.
Despite leaning towards Texas, Okpala also acknowledges the strength of Penn State’s program, particularly in regards to producing top-tier NFL linebackers like Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter. This aspect of Penn State’s reputation has drawn Okpala’s interest as he evaluates his options.
In his junior year, Okpala recorded impressive statistics, tallying 121 total tackles, 7 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss. These accomplishments have solidified his status as a formidable defensive player within high school football. He is primed to continue this trajectory as he leads the Mayde Creek defense into his senior season.
Recently, Okpala conducted an official visit to Texas, which seemingly had a positive impact on his recruitment, as evidenced by a notable rise in the 247Sports rankings, increasing to the highest three-star rating of 89. Despite being primarily recruited as a linebacker, multiple programs, including Miami, have seen potential in Okpala’s abilities at the EDGE position.
With a physical stature of 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Okpala possesses the traits that college scouts often seek. Notably, he has an impressive wingspan of over 7 inches relative to his height and has demonstrated exceptional athleticism through outstanding scores in broad and vertical jumps. His versatility has been highly regarded, as he has the potential to perform effectively either as an edge rusher or in a traditional off-ball linebacker role, with many projecting him to be a high-major defensive player in college football.
Throughout the 2024 season, Okpala’s contributions included 55 tackles, with 17 of those resulting in losses, 5 sacks, and 21 quarterback hurries. His ability to impact games from various positions has made him one of the sought-after recruits in the state. As the commitment date approaches, predictions suggest that Texas is currently the frontrunner for his services, with the 247Sports Crystal Ball showing a 100% consensus in favor of the Longhorns.
As Kosi Okpala prepares to announce his decision, college football enthusiasts and recruiting analysts alike await the outcome, eager to see where this highly regarded linebacker will take his talents for the next stage of his athletic career.
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Additional Resources
- Burnt Orange Nation
- Wikipedia: Kosi Okpala
- Katy Times
- Google Search: Kosi Okpala
- On3
- Google Scholar: Kosi Okpala
- SI
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kosi Okpala
- 247 Sports
- Google News: Kosi Okpala
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
