• Football
  • Texas Beats Out Late Pushes From Mizzou, Texas A&M, And SMU, To Land Four Star RB

Texas Beats Out Late Pushes From Mizzou, Texas A&M, And SMU, To Land Four Star RB

Details
Football

Texas secured one of the nation’s top running backs Saturday with the commitment of four‑star rusher Landen Williams‑Callis, 247 Sports' No. 3 running back, and No. 3 overall prospect from the state in the 2027 class.

The 5‑foot‑8, 185‑pound standout from Richmond, Texas, becomes the second‑highest‑ranked pledge in Steve Sarkisian’s 2027 class, joining five‑star receiver Easton Royal, the No. 8 overall recruit who committed in November. Williams‑Callis chose Texas over late pushes from Missouri and Texas A&M, with Houston and SMU also among his finalists.

The reigning Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year, Williams‑Callis arrives with a deep football pedigree. He is a cousin of former Oregon State stars Jacquizz and James Rodgers, both All‑Americans in 2009, and his uncle, Michael Lewis, was a Colorado All‑American who spent nine seasons in the NFL and earned first‑team All‑Pro honors in 2004.

Williams‑Callis has produced staggering numbers at Thomas E. Randle High School, rushing for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns as a junior while leading his team to a state runner‑up finish. Entering his senior season, he holds career totals of 7,551 yards and 125 touchdowns, putting him within 3,828 yards of the Texas high school career rushing record.

Texas has been one of the nation’s hottest programs on the recruiting trail, landing 14 pledges since June 1, including 10 prospects from the SC Next 300. The Longhorns entered the weekend ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s latest class rankings.

Williams‑Callis’ commitment also comes as Texas overhauls its running back room after losing four of its top five rushers from last season. The Longhorns added transfers Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, two of the highest‑rated portal backs available, along with five‑star freshman Derrek Cooper, ESPN’s No. 1 running back in the 2026 class.

With Williams‑Callis and No. 4 running back Noah Roberts (No. 51 overall) now committed, Texas is positioned to sign two of ESPN’s top five running backs in the same class for the first time in program history.

Williams‑Callis had been the top uncommitted prospect in the 2027 SC Next 100 before his decision. With his commitment, four‑star linebackers Brayton Feister (No. 190) and Trace Washington (No. 191) are now the highest‑ranked uncommitted blue‑chip prospects in the cycle.