Texas Longhorns Closing In on Top 2026 CB Justice Fitzpatrick

Texas Longhorns Closing In on Top 2026 CB Justice Fitzpatrick

 

The Texas Longhorns are inching closer to making a significant splash in the 2026 college football recruiting cycle, and the name at the center of that momentum is none other than Justice Fitzpatrick. The four-star cornerback from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has long been on the radar of elite programs across the country. As one of the premier talents in the nation at his position, his recruiting profile reads like a who’s who of college football royalty. Yet as the process continues to take shape and official visits begin to define the path forward, the Longhorns find themselves steadily gaining ground, positioning themselves as a frontrunner in what is quickly becoming one of the most high-profile recruitments in the nation.

 

Justice Fitzpatrick, listed at 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, isn’t just another talented defensive back. He’s a refined athlete with exceptional instincts, elite footwork, and a mature football IQ that belies his age. Having been raised in a football family, he’s the younger brother of NFL All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, currently a star with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That bloodline matters, not just because of the name recognition it brings, but because of the pedigree, discipline, and expectation of excellence that has followed him throughout his high school career. It’s clear that Fitzpatrick is not only used to the spotlight — he thrives in it.

 

At St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the nation’s premier high school football programs, Fitzpatrick has been battle-tested against elite competition since his freshman year. He plays with a confidence and physicality that translate seamlessly to the next level. He’s not just a boundary corner with size; he’s someone who can line up across from the opposition’s top receiver, lock them down in press coverage, and then turn around and disrupt passes in zone concepts. His instincts are sharp, his tackling is sound, and he’s constantly studying the game in the film room. Coaches laud his competitiveness, his leadership, and his relentless drive to get better. He’s the type of player who doesn’t just elevate a secondary — he transforms it.

 

The national recruiting services are in agreement about his potential. Fitzpatrick is currently ranked No. 47 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite and is considered the No. 3 cornerback in the country. That kind of recognition has drawn attention from college football powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, USC, LSU, and Miami. And while many of those programs have a long-established tradition of producing elite defensive backs, it’s the Texas Longhorns who have made the most noticeable push in recent weeks, turning what was once a wide-open race into a heated contest that the Longhorns may now be leading.

 

Much of that momentum can be attributed to the aggressive and calculated efforts of the Texas coaching staff, particularly cornerbacks coach and defensive backs recruiter Mark Orphey. Orphey, who joined Steve Sarkisian’s staff with a reputation as a relentless recruiter and technician in player development, has made Justice Fitzpatrick one of his top priorities in the 2026 cycle. It’s clear that Texas has circled Fitzpatrick as a cornerstone for their future secondary, and the effort behind the scenes reflects that level of commitment. Orphey recently made a pivotal in-person visit to St. Thomas Aquinas to watch Fitzpatrick compete during his spring game. While college coaches are limited in what they can do during these evaluation periods, the visit itself was a clear signal of intent. The Longhorns are not casually involved in Fitzpatrick’s recruitment — they are making him feel like a top priority.

 

That message seems to be resonating. Fitzpatrick has already taken a visit to Austin, attending a spring practice session that gave him a closer look at the culture, coaching staff, and facilities that define the Texas program. Reports from that visit indicate that both Justice and his mother were extremely impressed with what they saw. The visit wasn’t just about watching drills or touring the weight room; it was about connection. The Texas staff went out of their way to make Fitzpatrick feel like he belonged, spending meaningful time explaining how he’d be developed in their system and how the program was evolving into a legitimate national contender. And unlike other schools where official visits can sometimes feel transactional, Texas offered a genuine atmosphere — one where relationships, not just rankings, took center stage.

 

The familial connection also adds an intriguing element. While head coach Steve Sarkisian was the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2016, Minkah Fitzpatrick was a rising star in the Crimson Tide secondary. Sarkisian, while not directly coaching the defense, was familiar with the elder Fitzpatrick’s work ethic, leadership, and elite talent. That brief overlap has created a bridge between coach and family — a bridge that could be crucial as Justice looks to find a home that offers both top-tier football and the character development his family values. Sarkisian has reportedly spoken about Minkah with high regard, and the idea of Justice forging his own path under the mentorship of coaches who once admired his brother is a compelling narrative.

 

Justice is said to be extremely methodical in how he’s approaching the recruiting process. He’s not someone who’s looking to make a splashy early decision or chase media hype. Instead, he’s taking his time to thoroughly evaluate programs based on culture, development, trust, and fit. He’s been quoted as saying that relationships are more important than facilities, and development matters more than jersey colors. For Texas, that’s good news. Because while other programs may lean on tradition or NIL deals, the Longhorns have something different to offer — a program on the rise, with a clearly defined identity, elite SEC positioning, and a staff that’s going to invest in him both as a player and a person.

 

It’s not hard to see why Fitzpatrick fits what Texas is building. In 2023 and 2024, the Longhorns made major strides defensively under Pete Kwiatkowski and his staff, especially in the secondary. With names like Terrance Brooks, Malik Muhammad, and others developing into high-level contributors, the pipeline is clearly forming. Justice Fitzpatrick would not only fit into that system — he could eventually be the centerpiece of it. Texas runs a defense that blends press-man principles with disguised zone looks, requiring corners who can be both physical and cerebral. Fitzpatrick checks every one of those boxes. He’s already shown an ability to shadow receivers in man coverage while also being instinctive enough to jump routes and create turnovers when asked to drop into zone.

 

Moreover, the move to the SEC adds another layer of urgency and opportunity to Texas’s pitch. As they now compete week in and week out with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida, having elite defensive backs isn’t optional — it’s a requirement. The SEC is known for its high-powered offenses and deep receiver rooms, and if Texas wants to compete for championships, they need players like Justice Fitzpatrick patrolling the back end. Texas isn’t selling a dream anymore — they’re building a contender, and recruits are noticing.

 

As of now, Fitzpatrick hasn’t named a definitive list of top schools or scheduled a commitment date. But the tea leaves suggest that Texas is in as strong a position as anyone. The coaching staff’s consistency, the success of recent visits, and the growing rapport between Justice and the Longhorns have all pointed toward Austin gaining serious traction. His relationship with Coach Orphey in particular has been noted as one of the strongest connections he has with any position coach in the country. And while schools like Alabama, Ohio State, and Miami will continue to push hard, Texas appears to have built something more substantial — a foundation of trust, vision, and opportunity.

 

The recruitment is far from over. Fitzpatrick is expected to take more visits over the summer and into the fall, and the possibility of official visits during the 2025 season looms large. The chance to see Texas in action in SEC play — especially against high-powered offenses — could provide the kind of in-game insight that further cements their position. Texas will also be banking on player development, continued defensive success, and locker room culture to help close the deal.

 

Justice Fitzpatrick is the kind of recruit who can change the narrative for a class. His commitment would not only elevate the Longhorns’ defensive backfield — it would send a message to the rest of the SEC and the country that Texas is officially back in the national recruiting elite. For years, fans and analysts alike questioned whether the Longhorns could once again become a destination for elite defensive prospects. With each passing cycle, Sarkisian and his staff are answering that question emphatically. And if they can land Justice Fitzpatrick, it may become the signature moment in Texas’s resurgence on the national stage.

 

There’s still a long road ahead. Other programs won’t go quietly, and Fitzpatrick’s recruitment will continue to be one of the most closely watched stories of the 2026 cycle. But make no mistake — the Longhorns are closing in. And if the momentum continues to build, Texas may very well land one of the crown jewels of the class, a game-changing cornerback who already plays like a pro, thinks like a coach, and carries the quiet confidence of someone born for the spotlight. Justice Fitzpatrick isn’t just a prospect. He’s the future — and the Longhorns are doing everything in their power to make sure that future runs through Austin.