Heading into Early Signing Day, one of the biggest needs in the 2026 class for the Texas Longhorns was a difference-maker at edge, a gap filled by the signing of late-cycle flip Jamarion Carlton.
The No. 10 defensive lineman made a mildly-surprising commitment to Baylor over the summer after Texas was considered a longtime favorite coming out of his visit to the Forty Acres. However, many considered this a player the Longhorns would recruit until Early Signing Day and that’s exactly what happened as Texas secured multiple late-season visits from Carlton, who announced his decision last Saturday, adding another key piece to a class with a clear focus on building the defensive trenches.
Calrton, ranked No. 89 overall, according to the 247Sports Composite, reported 27 offers after a highly-productive high school career. In his final two seasons with Temple, Carlton turned in 125 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles, anchoring the defense. He’s a multi-sport athlete for the Wildcats, playing basketball, as well as throwing the shotput and discus in the spring.
Carlton’s frame and profile mean he may stick at edge or potentially add weight and move inside, depending on his development once he arrives on campus. He is one of two top-100 edges in the 2026 class, joining Sierra Canyon five-star edge Richard Wesley in the group. Five of the Longhorns’ 25 commitments for the class of 2026 are players along the defensive front, all but one of which rank inside the top 250, with Petal (Miss.) interior lineman Corey Wells sitting not far outside of it at No. 280 overall.