​Texas has three five-star prospects committed as part of its 2027 recruiting class, and the first five-star to pledge to the Longhorns was wide receiver Easton Royal. The New Orleans native, a Brother Martin High School product, is widely regarded as a five-star talent and the consensus No. 6 player in the class. Yet, it is increasingly plausible that Royal may not end up in Burnt Orange.
Royal commitment to Texas came in late November, but even then he never appeared fully invested in Steve Sarkisian’s program in Austin. Following his cycle of official visits, the SEC power in his home state has begun to look more and more like a potential destination as the Longhorns’ hold weakens. It’s a pattern that has become familiar for a player who grew up within a half-hour of New Orleans—initially targeted by Alabama, Florida State, and Miami, among others, but ultimately signing with LSU.
Locked On Recruiting’s Brian Smith notes that LSU made a substantial jump during Royal’s official visit to Baton Rouge and has him in decision mode with a final verdict expected later in the month. Royal himself acknowledged the mounting pressure from peers at school, where friends are pushing him toward flipping to the LSU Tigers. He emphasized that he is committed to Texas but remains open to the possibility that the move could be the best path for him and his family. He described ongoing communication with Lane Kiffin, who has been messaging him with encouragement, sharing videos, and continuing to recruit him to be an LSU Tiger.
In essence, will Easton Royal flip to LSU? Smith believes the outcome is increasingly likely. “I know the kid and he really does like Texas. But his tune has changed quite a bit since that official visit. I have a feeling he’s going to be a Bayou Bengal,” Smith suggested.
Royal might be the crown jewel of what looks to be one of Texas football’s best wide receiver hauls under coach Steve Sarkisian. Yet the possibility looms that the program could also lose him, marking one of Sarkisian’s most significant potential missteps in securing top-tier talent. As the 2027 cycle advances, Royal’s decision could redefine the Longhorns’ receiver depth chart and alter the recruiting narrative around Texas’s ability to close out elite prospects in-state and nearby.
This piece originally appeared on Longhorns Wire, examining whether Texas commit Easton Royal could flip to LSU. As new information emerges, the window for a final decision remains fluid, and the assumption that Royal is locked in is continuing to be challenged by insider reporting and Royal’s own remarks about his evolving fit and priorities.