Texas The Longhorns got off to a somewhat slow start to the summer, adding just four players since the beginning of June, but things may be starting to pick up after the addition of the four-star defender.
Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley four-star outside linebacker Jonathan Cunningham has committed to Texas.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound man chose Texas over the finalists. TCU and Utah.
Cunningham is the second linebacker to join Texas’ 2025 class but the first outside backer of the group, while four-star recruit Elijah Barnes will play inside at 230 pounds.
Rivals is a highly-rated North Crowley prospect and is the only recruiting service to give Cunningham four-star status.
He has recorded 82 total tackles and 17 tackles for loss so far in his high school career.
Cunningham’s addition helped Texas move up from No. 33 to No. 26 in the 2025 recruiting team rankings.
What will Texas get in Cunningham?
Steve Sarkisian and his staff add a very interesting piece to their defense, filling a need at a position and skill set that is not yet in the 2025 class. Cunningham is a great mold for a new era of ultra-athletic back player. A true 6’3″ tall athlete with 34.5″ arm length and a wingspan of almost 80″. Playing a true off-ball outside back position at North Crowley, he has shown versatility to play on the outside as well in coverage and is a force at the line of scrimmage in run defense. His athletic profile, which should also add weight in the future, makes him a fun piece for Texas to have on their defense.
There’s a lot to like about Cunningham that we don’t see in the game. When you watch film, he’s a very instinctive player with a natural flow to the way he moves on the field and in pursuit. He’s a agile athlete, which shows in his pass rushing ability. I think there’s a lot of potential in his game both as a blitzer and in chasing the quarterback in key situations. He’s a strong back-end player, protecting the pass and being a physical tackler.
Linebacker MVP Rival Camp Series This spring in Dallas.
