Breaking: Five-star DB flips from Texas to LSU
About six weeks after committing to the Texas Longhorns over the LSU Tigers, Fort Bend Hightower defensive back Kade Phillips flipped his commitment to LSU on Sunday, dealing a blow to the Longhorns’ 2025 recruiting class in the secondary.
“I chose Texas because of the opportunities they had for me,” Phillips initially told On3 when he committed to the Longhorns. “Being in Austin and surrounded by successful people was important to me. I liked how Texas saw me as versatile, able to play multiple positions, and get on the field quickly. Plus, the family atmosphere from all the staff and coaches, including coach Steve Sarkisian, really stood out. They were checking in on me every day.”
However, LSU’s persistence, led by defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, ultimately swayed Phillips.
“LSU has been on me ever since they first offered,” Phillips shared with On3. “Even after I committed to Texas, they were still texting and calling me almost every day. The coaching staff stayed locked in with me.”
Phillips is now the second Texas commit in the 2025 cycle to flip to LSU, following Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie defensive tackle Brandon Brown.
This loss leaves Texas with just one defensive back commit in the 2025 class, Fort Bend Marshall cornerback Caleb Chester, who is the lowest-rated of the 16 pledges for Texas. It’s another setback in what has been a disappointing cycle for Terry Joseph and Blake Gideon, especially considering last season’s on-field success and the upcoming move to the SEC.
BREAKING: Four-Star CB Kade Phillips has Flipped his Commitment from Texas to LSU, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’1 180 CB from Missouri City, TX had been Committed to the Longhorns since July
Ranked as a Top 65 Recruit in ‘25 (No. 7 CB) per On3https://t.co/jfZR1XOU70 pic.twitter.com/uHCEVOMWIi
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 18, 2024
However, the Longhorns have a chance to recover from Phillips’ departure with Ruston (La.) cornerback Aiden Anding set to announce his decision on August 24.