TXST FOOTBALL
In what is regarded as the highest-rated recruiting class in program history, Texas State signed 19 players as part of early National Signing Day.
The Bobcats 2026 recruiting is currently ranked 62nd overall in the nation and second behind Boise State in the Pac-12, which Texas State will join in July 2026.
“Obviously it’s an exciting day,” Head Coach G.J. Kinne said. “A lot of work was put into this going back to last spring, all the junior days and spring practices. Bringing them on campus then fall camp and getting them here on game days. Just a lot of a lot of work that goes into this. So really excited about this group.”
This year’s recruiting class features four of the highest-rated recruits in program history according to 247 Sports.
The highlight of this year’s class is athlete Lakeyleon Graves of Kilgore High School, who is Texas State’s first-ever four-star recruit who Kinne believes has the potential to be the next Travis Hunter due to Graves versatility.
“Obviously the headliner of the class,” Kinne said. “My pitch to him throughout the process was ‘You can become the Travis Hunter in the Pac-12, come in here and be a freshman that can go both ways.’ Obviously I see him starting off as a receiver. He is 6’3”, and I really believe he’s a topfive player in the state.”
With Graves’ ability to play both ways at a high level, Kinne is excited to see the Kilgore native on the field for the Bobcats.
“He’s an unbelievable competitor,” Kinne said. “He doesn’t come off the field. It was really cool to go watch him play. He literally didn’t come off the field. He’s on offense, defense, punt return, kickoff. He really did everything. So I really like that about him. He’s a competitor and he’s physical. He really could play linebacker, safety and receiver. He really can do it all.”
In addition to signing Graves, the Bobcats also signed their highestrated defensive recruit in Cullen Thompson of Grand Oaks High School.
Kinne compared Thompson to Bobcat senior Kalil Alexander with the freshman’s potential being extremely high.
“Just unbelievable pass rush traits, and that’s really what stood out to us,” Kinne said. Almost reminds us film wise of Khalil [Alexander[ as far as just that knack to really get off the ball and attack the quarterback with great twitch, great speed. He is another one of those guys that has a super-high ceiling.”
Another offensive threat the Bobcats signed was wide receiver Xavier Warren of Georgetown High School.
Originally committed to UCLA, Warren decommitted before committing and then signing with Texas State, adding another potential offensive weapon to the Bobcats arsenal.
“Obviously in our offense, being able to stretch the field vertically is something that we really put a premium on and he can do that,” Kinne said. “Another one of those just great kids and fell in love with the kid, with the film, the speed. Now obviously, you know, we told him we’re going to start him on offense. He can play defense as well. We think he can play corner, but we see him as a receiver and we’re going to give him every opportunity to do that. He’s a guy that can really play and another guy that can probably come in here and play early.”
The Bobcats fourth highest-rated recruit for the 2026 class is quarterback Easton Webb of Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Webb is a two-sport athlete and is set to potentially play baseball for the Bobcats next spring.
We were able to bring him on a visit and Coach Trout did a great job,” Kinne said. “He’s going to be able to play both for us and that’s where I really sold him on. I said, ‘Man, God gave you that gift to play baseball. We want you to play and I want you to play baseball. I want to go out there and watch you pitch, and then, you know, come over here and do some spring ball later.’
“Obviously, we got Brad and a guy that he can learn from and develop. He’s 6’3”, 200 pounds. Plus, can really throw the ball and has unbelievable arm strength.”
Another addition to the signing is San Marcos’ own Darius ‘Diggy’ Davis, who led the Rattlers in total tackles while leading the Purple Thunder defense to one
PAGE 11A of their best performances in years.
Kinne said that Davis “might be the best guy we’ve signed” on defense this year. He said that Davis might be one of the rare true freshmen who get playing time – or even potentially start – from day one.
2026 Signing Class Jussiah Ali | DL | San Antonio, Texas | Trinity Valley CC Nathan Baudry | DL | Tours, France | Garden City CC Terrance Brown | OL | Killeen, Texas | Shoemaker Cameron Christian | DL | Kilgore, Texas | Kilgore Russell Crawford | TE | Marshall, Texas | Marshall Dameon Crowe | WR | Richardson, Texas | Richardson Berkner Darius Davis | LB | San Marcos, Texas | San Marcos Jayden Flournoy | DB | Burleson, Texas | Burleson Lakeyleon Graves | WR | Kilgore, Texas | Kilgore Juntavious Harris | RB | Euless, Texas | Trinity Teagan Lindsey | OL | Callisburg, Texas | Callisburg Jayden Luckett | OL | San Diego, California | Palomar College / Santa Fe Christian Blake McLane | WR | McKinney, Texas | Frisco Emerson Eric Perkins | OL | Marshall, Texas | Marshall Amari Smith | OL | Brookhaven, Mississippi | Northwest Mississippi CC / Mississippi State Cullen Thompson | DL | Spring, Texas | Grand Oaks Xavier Warren | WR | Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown Easton Webb | QB | Sand Springs, Oklahoma | Charles Page Braylon Young | DL | Denton, Texas | Denton
