Texas landed a 5-star DB on the Pat McAfee Show and the SEC should be nervous.

Texas just pulled off one of the biggest recruiting wins of the 2027 cycle, and they did it with a little help from Pat McAfee. Five-star cornerback John Meredith committed to the Longhorns live on the show Tuesday, picking Steve Sarkisian’s program over a list of SEC suitors that included Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M.

Meredith is the No. 2 overall recruit in the country and the top-ranked cornerback in the 2027 class. He’s the kind of player who can change the trajectory of a defense. At 6-foot-1 with elite closing speed and a nasty streak in press coverage, he projects as an instant-impact guy whenever he steps on campus.

But there’s a twist. According to Greg Riddle of the Dallas Morning News, Meredith was recently ruled ineligible for his senior season at North Crowley after transferring from Euless Trinity in January. The UIL determined the move was for athletic purposes, which means he won’t play varsity football this fall. His family plans to appeal the decision, but for now, the immediate focus shifts to his college future.

That future is in Austin. Meredith becomes the second five-star commit in Texas’ 2027 class, joining wide receiver Easton Royal, the No. 1 receiver in the nation. Together, they anchor a class that currently sits at 16 commitments and ranks No. 7 nationally, according to 247Sports. In the SEC, Texas is fourth, behind Florida, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. That’s not where Sarkisian wants to be long-term, but landing a player of Meredith’s caliber is a statement.

The Longhorns needed this. After missing on a few top targets earlier in the cycle, the staff has been grinding. Defensive backs coach Terry Joseph and co-defensive coordinator Jeff Banks were heavily involved in Meredith’s recruitment, and it paid off in front of a national audience on McAfee’s show.

Texas now has 11 blue-chip recruits in the fold, including two five-stars and four four-stars. The other 10 commits are rated three stars or higher. It’s a solid foundation for a class that still has eight months until signing day.

Meredith won’t suit up for Texas until 2027, but his commitment gives the Longhorns a centerpiece in the secondary for years to come. For a program that’s been trying to reclaim its place among college football’s elite, this is the kind of win that puts everyone on notice.