Five-star DT Justus Terry signs with Texas over Georgia, others

Kenny Baker and the Longhorns land an impact interior defensive lineman on the final day of the early signing period.

The Texas Longhorns have likely solidified the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class with Friday’s commitment of Manchester (Ga.) defensive lineman Justus Terry in a huge coup for position coach Kenny Baker and head coach Steve Sarkisian class as the consensus five-star prospect chose the Longhorns over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, and Georgia Bulldogs.

The Longhorns announced the official addition of Terry shortly after his announcement.

It’s the type of signing that truly heralds the arrival of Texas as a power in SEC recruiting — going into Georgia and pulling one of the nation’s best prospects away from the Bulldogs and other national powers is unprecedented in the modern recruiting era.

Just as impressively, it took a late surge by the Longhorns to even receive serious consideration from Terry, a 6’5, 275-pounder who is ranked as the No. 10 prospect and the No. 2 defensive lineman, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The other four finalists all received official visits from Terry — Alabama, Florida State, and Georgia in the summer and Auburn along with Texas in the fall as Baker and the staff were able to get Terry on campus for the Georgia game.

“They kind of made an improvement,” Terry told Horns247 after his official visit. “Just coming out here, they answered a lot of my questions. When I came out here I was just opened-minded. They made a big jump on my recruitment.”

Terry originally committed to Georgia in early 2023, but remained open enough to visit some other schools, eventually leaving the Bulldogs class last March when he flipped to USC. The pledge to the Trojans lasted less than three months.

Now Terry is set to officially join the Longhorns class at a need position where Texas has struggled to sign impact high school players with the Georgia product projecting as a potential instant-impact contributor with at least five interior defensive linemen moving on after the 2024 season.

Here’s the evaluation of Terry from 247Sports:

Big, rugged run-stopper with the length and athleticism to play in a variety of different alignments up front. Measured 6-foot-5, 275 pounds spring before junior season and came in with some longer arms. Constantly moves people at the line of scrimmage, winning with strength and power. Plugs gaps with quick-shed capability and can frequently defeat double teams. Has tested exceptionally well for someone of his stature and that short-area quickness shows up under the lights as he can redirect and make stops while in pursuit. Pushes pockets and has created plenty of pressure while facing inferior competition, but needs technical refinement and to improve plan of action as a pass rusher. Must also embrace the idea of bringing it every snap and boost play awareness. Overall, should be viewed as one of the top interior defensive lineman in the 2025 cycle given his brawny build and fluid movement patterns. Must keep progressing and soak up coaching, but has what it takes to be a true difference-maker at the point of attack and a future pro.