Top WR Recruit Reveals LSU's Intense Push to Flip His Texas Commitment

Easton Royal, the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2027 class, remains committed to Texas but is weighing options after heavy recruitment from LSU.

Mar. 7, 2026 at 9:34pm

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New Orleans five-star wide receiver Easton Royal, the top-ranked pass-catcher in the 2027 recruiting class, remains committed to the Texas Longhorns but is being heavily pursued by the LSU Tigers. Despite his verbal pledge to Steve Sarkisian's program, Royal has revealed that LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and the Tigers are making an intense effort to flip his commitment, with Royal's friends at school constantly pushing him to join the Bayou Bengals.

Why it matters

Landing elite wide receiver talent is a top priority for both the Texas Longhorns and LSU Tigers as they look to build championship-caliber offenses. The back-and-forth recruitment of Easton Royal highlights the fierce competition between these two powerhouse programs to secure commitments from the nation's top prospects.

The details

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Royal is ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver and the 5th best player overall in the 2027 recruiting class. He has earned offers from a host of top programs, including LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee, and his current commitment, Texas. Royal plans to take official visits to each of those schools this summer as he continues to evaluate his options, despite being verbally committed to the Longhorns. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has made Royal a top priority, frequently texting the elite prospect to build their relationship and recruit him to join the Tigers.

  • Royal verbally committed to the Texas Longhorns last fall.
  • Royal plans to take official visits to LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas this summer.

The players

Easton Royal

A five-star wide receiver from New Orleans (La.) Brother Martin, ranked as the No. 1 wideout and 5th best player overall in the 2027 recruiting class.

Lane Kiffin

The head coach of the LSU Tigers, who is making a strong push to flip Royal's commitment from Texas.

Steve Sarkisian

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who currently holds Royal's verbal commitment.

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What they’re saying

“All day at school all of my friends are pushing me to flip to the LSU Tigers. You only get this process once - so I'm committed to Texas, but I'm still trying to figure out if that's the best decision for me. The ultimate end goal is to make the best decision for me and my family.”

— Easton Royal (Fox 8 New Orleans)

“Me and Coach Lane [Kiffin] are building a relationship. He texts me often just telling me to have a good week - sending me videos, motivating me, and recruiting me to be an LSU Tiger.”

— Easton Royal (Fox 8 New Orleans)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the intense competition between top college football programs to land elite talent, with the recruitment of Easton Royal serving as a prime example. Both Texas and LSU are making a full-court press to secure the commitment of the nation's top-ranked wide receiver, underscoring the high stakes involved in landing blue-chip prospects.