Horns hook another top QB recruit for ’25 class

• Blake Baumgartner, ESPN Personnel WriterJun 3, 2023, 05:52 PM ET

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian protected a big win on the recruiting front Saturday after quarterback K.J. Lacey became his first dedication for the 2025 class.Lacey, who is

No. 47 in the 2025 ESPN Junior 300, joins Arch Manning (No. 5 total in 2023) as extremely ranked quarterbacks to sign with the Longhorns in three hiring cycles.Lacey, who is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plans to register early in January 2025. He also had offers from Alabama, Oregon, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

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“Really just a stable, offensive-minded head coach. Love that,” Lacey informed ESPN last month about what he was focusing on in the process. “Then likewise having a really great quarterbacks coach and offending coordinator, so I understand when I go there I’m going to get developed.

“The neighborhood beyond [football], make sure I’m comfortable with everyone outside of [football] Get a little bit familiar. Be dedicated and whatever. Go up there, have my check outs, go to the games all the time, so feeling in one’s bones I’m committed, healthy in right now.”

Lacey made his statement on social media Saturday.

“They asked me, ‘Why Texas?’ I say, ‘Why NOT Texas?'” he stated in the post.Texas averaged 429.5 yards per game last season– 5th in the Big 12. Quinn Ewers(2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns in 10 games in 2022)and Manning will be competing for the starting task in the fall as the program wants to finish its time in the Big 12 with a flourish.The Longhorns, who will begin SEC play in 2024 together with Oklahoma, have not won 10 games in a season because 2018. Lacey, a colleague of Alabama wide receiver dedicate Ryan Williams(No. 3 overall in 2025)at Saraland High School (Alabama), was checking out Austin this weekend when the choice was made.The 6-foot, 175-pound Lacey finished 63.7%of his passes for

3,177 yards and 40 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022.” I play actually calm,”Lacey stated.”I do not actually get rattled while I’m out there. Getting the ball to the open man, getting the ball to the playmakers and I go out there and win.”