Four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland, one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, is moving closer to making a final decision about his college future—and the Texas Longhorns are right in the thick of the race.
Cleveland, a dominant force on the defensive line, has been a highly sought-after recruit, drawing interest from many of the nation’s top programs. After an extensive recruiting process, he has officially narrowed his choices to six schools: Georgia, Florida, Miami, Texas, North Carolina, and Auburn. This announcement, first reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett, signals that Cleveland is nearing the final stages of his decision-making process.
One of the most surprising developments in his recruitment has been his decision to leave Alabama off his final list. The Birmingham, Alabama, native originally committed to the Crimson Tide in October 2024 but later decided to decommit in December. Since then, he has reopened his recruitment and shifted his focus elsewhere, with Auburn now standing as the only in-state program still in the mix. This suggests that Cleveland is looking for a fresh start and an opportunity to make an impact outside of Tuscaloosa.
At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Cleveland is an elite talent with the potential to be a game-changer at the collegiate level. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is the No. 9 defensive lineman in the country, the No. 9 overall player from Alabama, and the 101st-ranked prospect nationally. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism has made him one of the most highly coveted defensive prospects in the 2026 class.
As of now, Cleveland has not announced a commitment date or scheduled official visits, but all signs point to his recruitment reaching its final stages. While a verbal commitment in the coming months would be a major milestone, the reality of modern recruiting means that programs will likely continue their efforts to flip him until he signs his national letter of intent. Schools that miss out on his initial commitment will still have a window of opportunity leading up to December’s Early Signing Day.
For the Texas Longhorns, Cleveland’s interest is an encouraging sign as they continue to build momentum in the 2026 class. While Texas currently has just three commitments for this cycle, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are expected to ramp up their recruiting efforts in the coming weeks. Adding a player of Cleveland’s caliber would be a significant victory for the Longhorns as they continue to compete at the highest level in the SEC.
As Cleveland’s recruitment nears its conclusion, Texas fans have plenty of reason to be excited. With his elite talent, physicality, and upside, he has the potential to be a difference-maker at the next level. Now, the wait begins to see where this top-tier defensive lineman will ultimately choose to play.
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