DONE DEAL JUST NOW: Five-star safety commits to Texas over Clemson, Ohio State, others
The Texas Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class got a significant upgrade on Thursday as five-star safety Zelus Hicks from Carrollton, Georgia, committed to the program, choosing Texas over Auburn, Clemson, and Ohio State.
BREAKING: Elite 2026 Safety Zelus Hicks has Committed to Texas, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’3 185 S from Carrollton, GA chose the Longhorns over Georgia, USC, & Ohio State
Ranked as a Top 25 Recruit in ‘26 🤘🏼
“Just the beginning.”https://t.co/aWFLAuTaIC pic.twitter.com/XQXyWUxWrz
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 12, 2024
Standing at 6’2 and weighing 190 pounds, Zelus Hicks chose Texas after visiting the Forty Acres twice this year, once in the spring and again in the summer. A highly sought-after national prospect, Hicks boasts over 30 offers from top programs like Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, and Washington.
“Things moved fast with Texas,” Hicks told On3. “They offered me in the spring, really came after me, and after my visit, I felt great about the school. I connected with Coach Blake Gideon, and they kept pursuing me harder than any other school. That’s when I made my decision.
“They’ve made it clear I’m No. 1 on their board, and Texas is No. 1 on mine. After talking it over with my dad, I made my choice earlier this week.”
Before transferring to Carrollton, Hicks had an impressive sophomore year at Parkview in Atlanta’s metro area, with 67 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
247Sports’ evaluation of Hicks highlights him as a modern boundary safety with strong football instincts and athleticism. At 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds, Hicks showcases a plus wingspan and ideal testing data. His high football IQ and decisive mentality help him take excellent angles, making him a reliable tackler who can handle both slot receivers in open space and bigger targets. Though still developing as a man-to-man defender, he has high upside as a blitzer and projects as a boundary safety, with potential to grow into a nickel role.
Ranked No. 25 nationally by the 247Sports Composite, Hicks is the No. 3 safety and the fifth-best player in Georgia. Texas currently has two other commitments in the 2026 class—five-star quarterback Dia Bell and four-star wide receiver Chris Stewart—but Hicks could potentially reclassify to the 2025 class. This possibility is enticing for the Longhorns, who recently lost safety Kade Phillips. Five-star prospect Jonah Williams is the only other safety committed to Texas in the current cycle.
The additions of Hicks and Williams, along with the flip of Xavier Filsaime from Florida, have boosted the reputation of Texas safeties coach Blake Gideon, proving his ability to land top talent at the position.