The Texas Longhorns football program continues to make waves on the recruiting front, both in high school recruiting and through the transfer portal. One of the standout commitments from the 2026 class, five-star long snapper Trott O’Neal, recently confirmed his upcoming official visit to Austin, which is scheduled for the weekend of June 6-8.
O’Neal, who plays for Prestonwood Christian Academy, is regarded as one of the top specialists in the country. According to Kohl’s Kicking recruiting rankings, he is currently ranked as the No. 6 long snapper nationally in the 2026 class. His decision to commit to Texas over other programs, including the Air Force Academy, marked a significant win for the Longhorns’ special teams unit.
This commitment adds to a growing list of talent in the Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class. Among the notable names already committed are five-star quarterback Dia Bell and five-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., alongside three-star recruits like wide receiver Chris Stewart, cornerback Hayward Howard Jr., offensive tackle Max Wright, and offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson. With each commitment, Texas continues to build a strong foundation for the future of its program.
O’Neal is expected to compete for a starting position after the current long snapper, Lance St. Louis, exhausts his eligibility in 2026. This provides O’Neal with a clear path to becoming a key contributor in the Longhorns’ special teams unit shortly after his arrival on campus.
Scouting reports on O’Neal praise both his physical attributes and his technical skills. At the 2024 Kohl’s Spring Texas Showcase, he posted the third-highest charting score nationally, demonstrating not only his accuracy but also his consistency and power. Evaluators have taken notice of his performance at national events, such as the 2025 Kohl’s Underclassman Challenge, where he continued to showcase excellent ball rotation and reliable snapping under pressure.
“O’Neal is easily one of the most exciting prospects in the 2026 class,” read a scouting summary from Kohl’s. “He has impressive size and uses it extremely well in his snapping motion. His consistency and physicality give him the tools to be a starting long snapper at the next level. Every coach looks for these traits when recruiting for that position.”
Beyond his individual talents, O’Neal’s commitment symbolizes Texas’s growing emphasis on securing high-level special teams contributors—often an overlooked part of college football rosters. With his skills and ranking, O’Neal could be a game-changing addition in years to come.
In addition to O’Neal’s June visit, Texas is preparing for a busy summer on the recruiting trail. The Longhorns have lined up another key recruiting weekend on June 13, just one week after O’Neal’s visit. This upcoming period will be crucial for building momentum as the coaching staff looks to secure more commitments for the 2026 cycle.
Looking ahead, Texas fans won’t have to wait long for meaningful action on the field either. The Longhorns will kick off their 2025 season with a massive road test, traveling to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, August 30, in a nationally televised matchup on FOX.
As the Longhorns gear up for a competitive 2025 campaign, the commitment of Trott O’Neal highlights their focus on depth, development, and excellence across all units. With elite recruits like O’Neal leading the charge, the future in Austin appears very bright.
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