KJ Lacey, No. 47 pick in 2025 football, commits to Texas

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian secured a big win on the recruiting front Saturday after quarterback KJ Lacey became his first commitment in the 2025 class.

Lacey, ranked No. 47 in the 2025 ESPN Junior 300, joins Arch Manning (No. 5 overall in 2023) as highly regarded quarterbacks to sign with the Longhorns in three recruiting cycles.

Lacey, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plans to enroll in early January 2025. He also held offers from Alabama, Oregon, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

“Really just a solid, offensive head coach. I love that,” Lacey told ESPN last month about what he prioritized in the process. “Then I also have a really good quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, so I know that when I go there, I’m going to improve.

“Community Outside [football]make sure I’m comfortable outside of everyone [football]. Get to know each other a little. Be committed and all. Go there, go on my visits, go to games all the time, so just knowing that I’m committed, go right ahead.”

Lacey made the announcement on social media on Saturday.

“They asked me, ‘Why Texas?’ I say, ‘Why NOT to Texas?’, he said in the message.

Texas averaged 429.5 yards per game last season – fifth in the Big 12. Quinn Ewers (2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns in 10 games in 2022) and Manning will compete for the starting spot in the fall when the program appears to be winding down. In the Big 12, booming.

The Longhorns, who will begin SEC play in 2024 along with Oklahoma, haven’t won 10 games in a season since 2018.

Lacey, a teammate of Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (3rd overall in 2025) at Saraland High School (Alabama), was visiting Austin this weekend when the decision was made.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Lacey completed 63.7% of his passes for 3,177 yards and 40 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022.

“I play really calm,” Lacey said. “I don’t freak out when I’m out there. Getting the ball to the open guy, getting the ball to the playmakers and going out there and winning.”