Steve Sarkisian has recruited 4-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland to the Texas Longhorns from Birmingham, Alabama, which is a big hit for the SEC power schools.
The 6’3″, 325-pound player has preferred to play for the Longhorns over Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina, which has been a surprising win for the programme.
Vodney Cleveland Shocks College Football World with Texas Commitment
Hayes Fawcett broke the news on his Twitter page with a tweet: “BREAKING: Four-Star DL Vodney Cleveland has Committed to Texas.”
Cleveland quickly retweeted the announcement with his own caption: “HOOK’EMMM”.
HOOK’EMMM🤘🏿❗️ https://t.co/2hn1UIcTs0
— Vodney Cleveland (@Vodney_Clev) June 21, 2025
The commitment came after Cleveland officially visited several top programs, including Florida, Georgia, and Texas. His final visit to Austin on Jun. 13-15 proved to be the deciding factor.
Cleveland told reporters, “Texas is definitely different from any atmosphere I’ve seen. Everyone is together, everybody is on the same page, and there are strong family vibes. That’s what you want in a program.”
He had been committed to Alabama since his sophomore season but reopened his recruitment in December 2024. The Birmingham Parker High School star had over 20 Division I offers, making Texas’s victory even more impressive.
Dominant High School Performance Sets Stage for College Success
Cleveland’s high school stats are evidence of his No.52 ranking in the top high school prospects list and the No. 4 player in Alabama. During his sophomore and junior seasons at Parker High School, he had 69 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 22 games.
The 6’3 “305-pounder was the Parker D-Lineman. For Parker, he had been the center and the most important player regarding the gain of the first state championship in 2024 by marking his first championship ring. They made it to this highlight after they demolished Saraland 28-17 in the Class 6A title game. Cleveland’s place is such that he can even move to other positions on the defensive line and be a nose tackle in the process.
Parker High School head coach Frank Warren praised Cleveland’s potential, telling reporters, “He’s a hard-working kid. He’s a quiet giant, but when he gets on that field, he turns it up another notch. He’s going to be one of those kids who’s successful. He’s a lottery pick if he keeps getting better.”
Among a group of talented recruits, Cleveland is one of the biggest names recently pledged to the Texas Longhorns for the class of 2026. Joining defensive line commitments Dylan Berymon and Corey Wells, he contributes to this class’s No. 12 overall national ranking.
