In a stunning turn of events, five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, one of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s top remaining targets for the 2025 recruiting class, made his commitment decision on Friday morning, leaving fans and analysts alike in shock. Terry, widely expected to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs—his in-state team—delivered a surprise announcement when he pledged to the Texas Longhorns instead. This news came as a major surprise, especially with Georgia and Alabama being the front-runners in his recruitment.
Terry, a standout at Manchester High School in Georgia, is ranked as the No. 10 overall player in the nation by the 247Sports Composite rankings and is considered the No. 2 defensive lineman in the class. His decision to choose Texas over his home-state Bulldogs, as well as other powerhouses like Alabama and Auburn, has certainly made waves in the recruiting world. As the No. 3 overall player in Georgia, Terry’s commitment to a program outside of his home state adds an unexpected twist to the competition among the top teams for 2025.
The commitment to Texas is a significant boost for the Longhorns, who have been making waves in recruiting recently. With Terry now part of their class, the Longhorns have solidified their place as a major contender in college football recruiting. Despite this loss, Alabama’s 2025 class remains strong, sitting at No. 2 nationally with 22 total commitments, trailing only Texas, who now holds the top spot.
The decision also leaves Alabama with an important gap to fill on the defensive line, where Terry’s elite skills and potential would have been a huge asset. While the Crimson Tide are still heavily involved in recruiting top-tier players across the country, the departure of Terry from their list of recruits forces them to shift their attention to other highly-ranked defensive prospects. The coaching staff will likely refocus their efforts on securing additional commitments in the coming months to round out a class that still holds immense promise.
BREAKING: Five-Star Plus+ DL Justus Terry has Committed to Texas!
The 6’5 275 DL from Manchester, GA chose the Longhorns over Georgia, Auburn, & Alabama
Ranked as the No. 2 DL in the ‘25 Class (per On3)https://t.co/8kwvYtKOYt pic.twitter.com/6TvnXJVGOF
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 6, 2024
Terry’s commitment marks a key moment in the ongoing battle for dominance in college football recruiting, with Texas gaining significant momentum. His decision is a reminder of how unpredictable recruiting can be, with high-profile players making surprise choices that shake up the landscape and prompt shifts in strategy among the nation’s top programs.