Texas football, Steve Sarkisian land elite in-state running back Landen Williams-Callis
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Keeping elite in-state talent home has been one of Steve Sarkisian's biggest priorities since he was hired as Texas' head coach in January 2021.
Sarkisian hasn't had much problem doing just that and those successes continued on Saturday, Aug. 1 as Randle (TX) Richmond five-star running back Landen Williams-Callis announced his commitment to the Longhorns. He chose Texas over Missouri, SMU and Texas A&M.
According to 247Sports, the 5-foot-7.5, 190-pounder is ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect, the No. 3 running back and No. 3 prospect out of Texas for the 2027 cycle.
However, the USA TODAY Sports composite ranks him as the No. 27 overall prospect in the country and the No. 3 running back, trailing only Georgia commit Kemon Spell and Tennessee commit David Gabriel Georges.
There weren't many running backs in the country who had a better year statistically than Williams-Callis in 2025. In 16 games, he led the Lions to a 15-1 record, averaging 218.9 rushing yards per game and rushing for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns on 324 carries.
Entering his senior, Williams-Callis is closing in on a number only three other backs before him have touched. Sitting at 7,554 yards, he needs rush for 2,446 yards to hit 10,000 career yards and 3,679 to break the state record.
Another 5-star in-state pledge for the Longhorns
One of Sarkisian's biggest factors in this cycle has been keeping the five-star talent in Texas home.
Cornerback John Meredith III was one of the previous five-stars committed to the Longhorns' 2027 class but after being ruled ineligible for his senior year, Meredith reclassified to the 2026 class and is set to enroll this fall.
With Meredith no longer in the class, the Longhorns now have a trio of five-star commitments, including two from the Lone Star State. Williams-Callis joins a class headlined by Gilmer (TX) offensive tackle Ismael Camara.
Texas' other five-star commitment is Brother Martin (New Orleans, LA) wide receiver Easton Royal.
According to 247Sports, since 2022, the Longhorns have landed commitments from nine in-state prospects that rank as five-star prospects.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas football, Steve Sarkisian land elite in-state running back Landen Williams-Callis
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