Longhorns snag one of 2026's top safety recruits in Zelus Hicks.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns landed one of the best defensive back recruits in the country Thursday.

Zelus Hicks, a 5-star safety from Carrollton, Georgia, is a 2026 recruit and is the third-ranked safety in the country for his class. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, which include rankings from Rivals and ESPN, Hicks earned a fifth star while 247Sports alone has him at a 4-star.

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The recruiting service awards 32 5-star ratings for each recruiting class since there are 32 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Texas now has a No. 7 2026 recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports. Hicks joins quarterback Dia Bell and wide receiver Chris Stewart as verbal commitments so far. The 2025 class for Texas is ranked No. 6 in the country.