Texas beats Oklahoma for 4-star DE recruit Smith Orogbo

Cam Smith

Texas beats Oklahoma for 4-star DE recruit Smith Orogbo image

Great news for Texas fans: Even when Oklahoma is winning, it’s losing. 

On Monday, the Longhorns captured a commitment from 4-star Alief (Texas) Hastings High School defensive end Smith Orogbo. The elite edge prospect is seen as a ready-made SEC body who could make a difference for Texas’ defense at an area in need of future depth. 

While Orogbo is a major pickup for Texas’ 2025 class, his commitment is also a win in a Schadenfreude sense: The Hastings star picked the Longhorns over fellow finalists Washington, Texas Tech and perceived runner-up Oklahoma. The Sooners picked up a commitment themselves on Monday with a pledge from Florida wide receiver Cortez Mills, but Orogbo was the head-to-head battle between the two schools. 

As Inside Texas broke down -- and as you can see in the highlights above -- Orogbo’s strengths include his versatility and athleticism, particularly with regard to his first step and his ability to slip around larger offensive tackles. 

Another strength, at least for Texas fans? Having the good sense to choose a future in Austin over one in the Sooner state. 

 

Cam Smith

Cam Smith Photo

Cam Smith is a 20-year sports journalism veteran whose career includes time writing for Yahoo Sports, The Washington Post, USA TODAY and contributions at The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, the Associated Press, Boston Herald and many others. He was born and raised in Texas, but later went to college in the Northeast and never moved back. Now based in Boston, he returns home to Austin as often as he can.