Quick briefing: I track who signed, who didn’t, and who treats commitments like a dating app swipe. This is the weekly pulse for fans who want the “what changed” and the “why it matters” in one sitting.
Why care? The early national signing period is the key window before National Signing Day (Feb. 4). The 2026 haul looks like a program-best, capped by the first-ever four-star, Lakeyleon Graves.
Names to watch: Lakeyleon Graves, Easton Webb, and key trench adds. Portal pieces like Shaker Reisig add subplot drama. I use composite context from 247Sports as a weather report with shoulder pads — useful, not gospel.
How this column runs: snapshot → class ranking context → position-by-position → portal → what to watch next. Expect a concise weekly rhythm and clear takeaways for the coming season and each game plan.
This Week’s Texas State Football Recruiting Snapshot
Quick take: Pen hits paper, promises wobble, and the three-day signing window makes every move feel urgent.
Candidly: a couple of three-star recruits left earlier in the week, which is a blunt reminder that until a letter is signed, optimism is provisional.
What changed since the last update
We saw LOIs filed for QB Easton Webb and OT Jayden Luckett. A handful of DL/edge pieces and portal transfers also popped into public view.
At the same time, two three-star names vanished from the board. One notable unsigned to watch is Tavon Bell, whose decision could still tilt the front seven.
Quick hits: commits, transfers, and paperwork to watch
- Signed (LOI): Easton Webb (QB), Jayden Luckett (OT).
- Portal adds: Multiple experienced pieces bolstering depth along the line and skill spots.
- Still a commit, not a signature: Commits remain non-final until the LOI is lodged.
- Late additions & swings: JUCO and transfer windows produced last-minute flips and new options.
Bottom line: The class moved forward, but volatility stays baked into the calendar. Expect more swings before February — that’s not paranoia, just process.
Where the 2026 Class Stands Right Now
Rankings don’t make a season, but they do tell a useful story about trajectory.
The 2026 class sits 62nd nationally and third in the Pac-12 per the 247Sports composite. That positioning signals real progress for texas state while leaving room for growth.
Program-best? Call it cautious optimism. This class looks built to change roster math over several years rather than deliver instant parade-level acclaim.
San Marcos momentum is measurable: a first four-star signee, clearer wins in the trenches, and smart portal additions. Those are the proof points that back the ranking.
- Composite rank = depth and hit-rate proxy, not a game-day guarantee.
- Development beats star-count here: multi-year starters matter most.
| Metric | Value | Why it matters | Near-term timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| National rank | 62 | Shows national competitiveness | Class grows through Feb window |
| Conference rank | 3rd (Pac-12) | Beats regional rivals for talent | Helps recruiting runs next cycle |
| Breakthrough | First four-star | Signaling boost for talent pipeline | Influences in-state recruiting |
| Roster impact | Depth-focused | Improves rotational quality | Translates across seasons |
Next: a position-by-position tour that explains how each group underpins this ranking and the wider plan for the coming season.
Texas State Recruiting News Today
This week the pen becomes the final arbiter — promises meet paperwork on a tight timeline.
Early signing period momentum and what “nothing is set in stone” means
Wednesday begins the early signing period, and recruits have three days to file LOIs. That compresses drama into very little time.
Nothing is set in stone until pen hits paper. Momentum matters, but it can evaporate between a handshake and a signed letter.
Tracking the three-day window and what could still shift before February
Treat this as a living file: confirmed names now versus handshake-level commitments is the core distinction I track.
- Late swings: unsigned prospects and flip risks can change a class in a single day.
- Portal and JUCO moves: last-minute entrants rarely announce politely.
- Coaching optics: staff chatter and visits still influence decisions in real time.
My monitor list will highlight unsigned players, flip-risk spots, and thin groups. I’ll report changes as they hit the ledger — because belief without a signature is just optimism on credit.
Headliner Watch: Lakeyleon Graves and the Four-Star Breakthrough
One player can change perception—Lakeyleon Graves did that. He isn’t just a high grade on a sheet. He’s the program’s first four-star, a visible sign that the class has higher ceilings now.
Position is fluid. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Graves projects as a matchup piece. Coaches can line him up as a wide receiver, a modern space linebacker, or a defensive back who covers and tackles.
Projection notes: WR vs. LB vs. DB at 6-foot-2, 185
Pick your chess metaphor. As a receiver he adds contested-catch length. As a DB he offers man-coverage length and tackling bulk. As a space LB he brings sideline-to-sideline range without needing a full conversion.
Speed marker: 22.22 in the 200 meters and how it translates to the field
A 22.22 200m isn’t just a number. It signals sustained top-end speed and the ability to finish routes or chase down ball carriers. In football terms: quick separation, late burst, and open-field tackling range.
| Attribute | Measurement | Football implication |
|---|---|---|
| Height/Weight | 6’2″, 185 | Length for WR/CB, frame for modern LB packages |
| 200m | 22.22 s | Good straight-line speed; ideal for separation and pursuit |
| Role fit | WR/LB/DB | Flexible usage: special teams, sub-packages, situational snaps |
How to use him early: start small. Special teams reps, gadget packages, and clearly defined snaps let him contribute without forcing a full position move in year one.
Recruiting ripple: one four-star changes optics. Future prospects see higher ceiling and feel momentum. Still, projection is messy. Elite athletes tend to make coaches look smart, no matter where they line up.
Quarterback Room Adds: Easton Webb and the Bigger Picture
Adding a 6-foot-4 passer with volume production is the kind of quiet flex coaches love.
Webb’s profile: 6-4, 205; three-star; 42nd-ranked QB in the 247 composite. Offers include Georgia Tech and Iowa State. Those offers are context, not confetti. They show evaluation and interest from Power Five staffs.
Prep production: 8,605 passing yards, 83 TDs, 26 INT over four years. That volume suggests reps, durability, and comfort standing tall in the pocket. Coaches buy that currency because it maps to in-game experience.
Why this matters to the room and the offense
QB recruiting is roster math. One signee can shift reps, redshirt plans, and depth-chart timelines.
Webb fits an offense that values decision-making and the ability to stress defenses vertically and in intermediate windows. He is a project with clear tools.
Reality check: QB development is long. The portal accelerates churn. Treat Webb as a foundational piece for the class, not a guaranteed starter this season.
Skill Positions in the 2026 Class: Playmakers on the Way
This group of skill players is designed to solve problems more than chase hype. The haul mixes youth, production, and a few body-types that answer specific offensive needs.
Xavier Warren: upside and the in-state pipeline
Xavier Warren (6-0, 165) is the second-highest rated receiver in the class and sits as the 60th-best WR nationally. He’s raw but projectable.
Route polish and suddenness will unlock his ceiling. The in-state pipeline matters here — local ties act like recruiting compound interest.
Blake McLane: a red-zone answer
Blake McLane (~6-2.5, 190) brings size and contested-catch ability. Listed near the 200s among WRs, his real value is finishing in tight windows.
When defenses compress the middle, McLane becomes a clear target on jump balls and fade packages.
Dameon Crowe: production over profile
Dameon Crowe (5-6, 140) averaged 18.5 yards per catch over two prep seasons. Small? Yes. Useful? Absolutely.
Think motion, screens, slot sneaks, and special teams. Speed and production let undersized players carve out roles fast.
Juntavious Harris: the change-of-pace back
Juntavious Harris (5-8, 175) rushed for 982 yards on 100 carries in seven senior games with nine TDs. He’s the archetypal change-of-pace runner.
High efficiency and burst mean he can complement a bell cow by flipping defenses and creating mismatches in space.
Russell Crawford: lone tight end and roster math
Russell Crawford (6-3.5, 210) is the only TE commit and sits 146th at the position. TE scarcity makes this spot interesting.
This could be intentional roster math — or a place the staff plans to supplement via the portal later.
- Bottom line: The class loads the offense with answers, not just highlights. That balance matters for immediate depth and long-term growth.
Offensive Line and Trenches: Building for the Next Season
The quiet truth: good football begins with good blocking, not highlight reels. The trenches are where teams earn the right to call plays and keep quarterbacks upright.
Jayden Luckett (6-6, 280) isn’t a flashy header — he’s the practical kind of signing. As the 7th-ranked JUCO offensive lineman nationally, he offers a shorter runway to meaningful snaps. That ranking matters because it signals immediate depth and a possible plug-and-play option for the next season.
Amari Smith’s path and what it signals
Amari Smith (6-6, ~325–330) followed a modern detour: Mississippi State to Northwest Mississippi C.C., then to us. That arc is scenic, fast, and pragmatic. JUCO routes like his give programs experience up front without the full wait-and-develop timeline.
High school linemen to watch
Three high-school commits bring size and projection: Eric Perkins (6-5, 330), Teagan Lindsey (6-4, 280), and Terrance Brown (6-4, 320). All are three-stars and top-300 linemen. The bodies are present; coaching must convert length into technique and consistency.
- Roster lens: mixing JUCO readiness with high-school upside buys both present and future.
- Season impact: better protection, cleaner run lanes, and more playbook flexibility.
| Player | Size | Role timeline | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jayden Luckett | 6-6, 280 | Immediate depth / potential starter | JUCO rank signals quicker path to snaps |
| Amari Smith | 6-6, 325–330 | Power tackle; plan to add strength and technique | Transfer JUCO path brings experience and size |
| Perkins / Lindsey / Brown | 6-5/6-4/6-4; 280–330 | Development window over 1–3 years | Body-type diversity; long-term lineup depth |
Bottom line: This mix of JUCO readiness and high-school projection is how mid-tier programs buy both immediate protection and future growth. Want a comparable recruiting puzzle? See how other schools chase JUCO tackles, like baylor closing in on a commitment.
Defensive Front Reload: Edge Rushers and Defensive Linemen
Pressure wins plays; a disruptive front changes the scoreboard in real time. I mean it — sacks and tackles for loss rewrite drives faster than a schematic tweak.
Edge anchor: Cullen Thompson’s telltale numbers
Cullen Thompson (6-2, 210) closed his junior year with 17 TFL and 9 sacks. That production signals a quick first step and relentless motor. Those are the traits that show up every game.
DL group: complementary fits and the Tavon Bell question
The interior mix—Cameron Christian (5-11, 275) and Braylon Young (6-3, 251)—brings gap control and pursuit. Tavon Bell (6-3, 260) is the high-upside chess piece. He’s got offers from big programs and did not sign in the early window, opting for February. That choice is a storyline, not a scandal.
JUCO strength and late transfer depth
Jussiah Ali (6-2, 303) checks in ranked 12th among JUCO DLs. He’s a plug-and-play rotational piece, not a long-term project.
Nathan Baudry (6-6, 262), a transfer from Garden City C.C., adds length and depth. Think of him as injury insurance and a developmental gap-filler rolled into one scholarship.
- Quick take: Front pressure changes coverage outcomes.
- Watch: Bell’s February decision and how it alters the class balance.
| Player | Size | Immediate role |
|---|---|---|
| Cullen Thompson | 6-2, 210 | Edge producer (TFL/sacks) |
| Jussiah Ali | 6-2, 303 | JUCO rotation / quick snaps |
| Nathan Baudry | 6-6, 262 | Transfer depth / developmental |
Linebackers and Defensive Backs: The Secondary Storylines
Depth charts with gaps in space rarely forgive; the secondary tells that story this cycle.
Small numbers, big implications. The LB/CB room here is compact, which means each snap magnifies mistakes and rewards.
San Marcos retention: Darius Davis
Darius Davis is a local win worth framing. At 6-2, 220, the three-star from san marcos brings size and coverage tools.
That frame suggests modern usage: he can thump in the box and drop into zones without being a liability in space. Keeping him home is symbolic and practical for the class.
Cornerback picture after a flip
After Marrel Davis flipped, Jayden Flournoy now becomes the lone incoming corner. Ranked 151st at the position, he matters a lot more than his spot on a ratings board implies.
One corner can’t cover everything. The flip is a reminder: commitments are conditional until signed, and secondary recruiting gets chaotic late.
- Why it matters: LBs and DBs turn occasional explosive plays into weekly trends.
- Practical take: retention of local talent and smart developmental reps will be key on game days.
| Player | Position | Size / Rank | Immediate impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Davis | LB | 6-2, 220 / 171st LB | Coverage-capable thumper; local retention |
| Jayden Flournoy | CB | — / 151st CB | Primary incoming corner; increased snaps and responsibility |
| Room note | LB/CB depth | Small group | Errors amplified on game days; depth matters |
Transfer Portal & College-to-College Moves Affecting 2026
Short version: the portal is an express lane for roster fixes. It supplies experience now while high school recruits grow into roles later.
QB Shaker Reisig arrives from Boston College with game reps and four years of eligibility. He threw for 141 yards, one TD and two interceptions across three 2025 appearances. The headline here is the eligibility clock, not the stat line.
WR Davian Jackson comes from Mississippi State with no catches in 2025. That zero is context, not a verdict. Fresh system, new coaches, and opportunity can flip a quiet year into usable snaps.
K Dylan Cunanan (Toledo) brings reliable scoring history. Coaches love improved accuracy. Cunanan’s jump to 72.7% and a full slate of extra points is the kind of small upgrade that saves games.
KR/WR Zechariah Sample transfers from Arizona State with limited touches but useful return yards. Think special-teams primary, with gadget snaps on offense as a secondary role. Arizona State tape shows explosiveness on returns more than target volume.
- Treat the portal as pragmatic roster insurance.
- Reisig’s four-year eligibility resets a timeline for the QB room.
- Jackson and Sample need coaching and reps to translate to production.
- Cunanan’s accuracy is an immediate points-per-game asset.
| Player | From | Key 2025 note | Projected role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaker Reisig | Boston College | 141 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; retains 4 years eligibility | QB depth; developmental with long runway |
| Davian Jackson | Mississippi State | No catches in 2025 | Fresh start in offense; depth target |
| Dylan Cunanan | Toledo | 2025 accuracy 72.7%; strong XP totals | Primary kicker; reliability upgrade |
| Zechariah Sample | Arizona State | 99 kick-return yards; one target | Return specialist; gadget WR snaps over time |
Bottom line: these moves make the 2026 class steadier. Short-term fixes plus multi-year eligibility buy breathing room for coaches and the roster.
Special Teams and Hidden Yardage: Punter and Kicking Updates
Field position is the sport’s slipperiest stat: boring until it flips a game. Special teams feel minor until they change a fourth-quarter mood. Then everyone remembers punts and kicks like they were destiny all along.
Tom Flintoff and the punting picture
Tom Flintoff arrives from Australia at 6-3, 205 and immediately adds competition and scholarship clarity. Size matters for hang time and directional power. A bigger punter can force offenses to start drives farther from the end zone.
Kicking stability: Dylan Cunanan
Cunanan’s resume helps too. He made 15 FGs in 2024 and improved accuracy in 2025. That converts drives into points and shortens comeback math late in the season.
- Hidden yardage: better punts reduce opponent starting position.
- Roster impact: one scholarship for a reliable punter frees staff to allocate elsewhere.
- Season payoff: swing drives and fewer short fields equal more wins per year.
| Player | Role | Immediate effect |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Flintoff | Punter (6-3, 205) | Longer punts, better field flips |
| Dylan Cunanan | Kicker | Higher FG conversion; fewer blocked comeback attempts |
| Team impact | Special teams unit | Steals possessions; controls game script |
Wink: nothing says “serious program” like caring about punts before the fourth-quarter panic does it for you.
Commitments, Decommitments, and Flip Risk to Track
Commitment flips happen; the trick is reading what they actually change. I track movement like a market analyst, not a soap-opera critic.
What recent changes mean for closing the class
We lost two three-star prospects this week and Jiwaun Brock decommitted, which shrank athlete depth. Marrel Davis flipped to Oklahoma State, leaving Jayden Flournoy as the lone corner incoming.
That matters because losing a DB and an athlete creates immediate holes coaches must fill. Options: chase the portal, offer late high-school targets, or reallocate scholarships.
How late-cycle moves reshape ranking and roster math
Flip risk is a numbers game, not a moral failing. One late decision can change positional balance and nudge the class ranking up or down.
| Risk area | Impact | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary depth | High | Portal target or late HS offer |
| Athlete spots | Medium | Redirect reps or recruit multi-role players |
| Tavon Bell timing | Potential ranking swing | Wait until February signature |
Fan takeaway: watch signatures, not promises. Signed LOIs and February choices will tell the real story for this class and how it affects the next season and each game plan.
How Recruiting Ties Into Game Results and Momentum
Wins on a big stage sell faster than any brochure. The Armed Forces Bowl was that exact billboard — a 41-10 beatdown of Rice that gave the program national visibility in one tidy afternoon.
The headline performance was Brad Jackson: 17-for-24 passing for 173 yards and three passing TDs, plus 14 rushes for 52 yards and a rushing score. Those numbers let coaches point to a clear narrative: here’s a dual-threat QB who can win a bowl and close a season with momentum.
Receiver production amplified the message. Beau Sparks’ 69-yard TD and Chris Dawn Jr.’s two TDs turned highlight reels into recruiting evidence. When skill players make game-changing plays on national tape, prospects watching at signing time notice.
The recruiting truth nobody likes admitting: winning on TV is the best brochure money can’t buy. A dominant bowl win compresses storylines. Recruits prefer programs trending up over those stuck in neutral.
| Why the bowl matters | Proof point | Recruiting effect |
|---|---|---|
| National visibility | 41-10 scoreline | Raises program profile during signing time |
| Quarterback showcase | Jackson: dual-threat efficiency | Helps land QB-targeted prospects |
| Receiver evidence | Sparks and Dawn big-play tape | Attracts skill recruits seeking fit |
Momentum is real, but it’s not permanent. Wins buy attention; roster depth turns attention into sustained success. For more on the program’s identity and recruiting approach, see this about the athletics department.
Offense Outlook: What the New Class Could Add Around Brad Jackson
Brad Jackson is the engine; everything signed around him is the fuel map. His 2025 line—71.3% completions, 3,223 passing yards, 21 TDs and just seven INTs, plus 744 rush yards and 17 rushing TDs—sets clear priorities for roster construction.
What Jackson’s production demands
Protection first. High completion rate and vertical work require clean pockets. That means recruits and transfers who can sustain pass sets and finish blocks.
Separation next. Jackson needs receivers who can get open quickly and win 50/50s in the red zone.
Run credibility matters too. His rushing numbers force defenses to respect the ground game. Without reliable carries, pass lanes narrow and play-action evaporates.
WR room context and the standard set by proven targets
Beau Sparks (84 catches, 1,200 yards, 10 TD) and Chris Dawn Jr. (65 catches, 1,006 yards) are the production bar. Incoming commits—Xavier Warren and Blake McLane—must offer functional roles, not just highlight potential.
RB transition and depth notes
Lincoln Pare’s 1,128 yards and 12 TDs suggest he will leave a tangible void. Greg Burrell (590 yards, 3 TD) is the immediate internal candidate to expand his workload.
The 2026 skill group (Warren, McLane, Crowe, Harris, Crawford) maps to defined needs: slot quickness, contested targets, change-of-pace back, and a blocking/tight-end type. That mix preserves Jackson’s ceiling when veterans depart.
| Need | Why it matters | Players addressing it | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Keep Jackson clean for reads and deep shots | Jayden Luckett, JUCO line pieces | Immediate to 1 season |
| Receiver separation | Create targets for high completion rate and red-zone success | Sparks/Dawn (veterans); Warren, McLane (incoming) | Depth now; development 1–2 seasons |
| Reliable rushers | Force defenses to honor run; open play-action | Pare (if retained) / Burrell (next-man-up) | Short-term; snaps available in 2026 |
Pragmatic note: continuity is rare. The staff must recruit players who keep the floor high when stars graduate or the portal shuffles the roster. In short: design an offense that survives turnover and still lets Jackson be Jackson.
San Marcos Recruiting Angle: Local Roots, Regional Battles, and Fit
Keeping local talent close is more than nostalgia; it’s roster medicine. When a player from San Marcos signs and stays, the program nets more than one scholarship. You get family proximity, community goodwill, and a signal that the pipeline works.
Darius Davis is a useful example. He’s a San Marcos product who brings size and coverage tools. That kind of hometown retention anchors a class and steadies depth charts when the portal spins.
Why in-state wins matter long-term
Local commits improve retention. They visit more, engage with alumni, and often stick through coaching churn.
Compound effect: better local classes lead to better results, which then make the next cycle easier. It’s a momentum game, not a miracle.
Regional competition and Arizona State cues
Not every battle is in-state. Programs like Arizona State show up in the same conversations because offers and portal moves cross regional lines.
Think of recruiting regions like maps of influence: borders blur, and portal arrivals — such as a player from Arizona State — sharpen the need to sell fit, usage, and development.
- Local roots = retention and culture.
- Regional rivals push staff to clarify scheme fits.
- Fit matters more than logos: recruits pick usage and growth paths.
| Point | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Homegrown retention | Stability and community support | Darius Davis (San Marcos) |
| Regional overlap | Shared targets and portal competition | Arizona State offers; portal arrivals |
| Fit over flash | Player usage and development | Scheme and role clarity during recruitment |
What to Watch Next: Dates, Decisions, and Weekly Update Checklist
Timing is a weapon—coaching staffs use it to win recruits and manage scholarships. The three-day early signing LOI window compresses drama. Pen-to-paper confirmations are the only ones that count.
Early signing follow-through and late additions
Action items:
- Confirm LOIs filed during the three-day window. Signed paperwork > chatter.
- Watch for late JUCO surprises that plug immediate holes on the line.
- Track position-balance fixes if a recent commitment flips or holds.
February signing window watchlist
Key name: Tavon Bell—he delayed to February. One signature there shifts interior depth and class rank.
Transfer portal monitoring
Portal moves already include Reisig (QB), Davian Jackson (WR), Dylan Cunanan (K), and Zechariah Sample (KR/WR). I’m watching positions that typically add experience late: QB depth, DL rotation, DB bodies, and specialists.
| What to check | Why it matters | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Signed LOIs | Locks roster decisions | Now (3-day window) |
| Tavon Bell | Alters DL balance and class makeup | February |
| Portal targets | Add experience where depth is thin | Ongoing until spring |
If you only check three things this week, make it these: LOI confirmations, Tavon Bell’s February decision, and any late portal DL or QB adds. That’s the cleanest sanity check for this class and the limited time before February signs the next chapter.
Conclusion
You can feel a shift: this class now reads like tangible progress — 62nd nationally and third in the Pac-12 on the composite, a first four-star in Lakeyleon Graves, and purposeful trench bets that suggest depth, not just flash.
Important note: commitments are interesting; signatures are real. The early window moved names, but February still matters. I’m watching the LOIs and the portal moves that act as short-term fuel.
On-field proof helps sell the program. Bowl tape and offensive production make conversations easier with prospects and families. Webb gives QB equity, the OL/DL haul provides a backbone, and transfers speed the timeline.
I’ll keep tracking the shifts so you don’t have to untangle rumor from fact. One question remains: are we building a class, or building a program?
