5-star WR Easton Royal reaffirms commitment to Texas despite LSU push

Soon after witnessing the Texas Longhorns beat rival Texas A&M at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in November, five-star wide receiver Easton Royal announced his commitment to Steve Sarkisian and UT. But since that day, other SEC coaches have been relentlessly trying to get Royal to flip, especially Lane Kiffin and LSU.

Kiffin has intensified his efforts to flip the New Orleans native. Tigers fans typically take it personally if a top in-state prospect doesn't play at LSU. The program has even formally adopted the phrase "Keep the best in the Boot."

LSU's top 2026 recruit, Lamar Brown, has taken a lead role in trying to keep Royal in state, highlighting Louisiana pride on social media and to forego his pledge to Texas.

Royal does continue to visit the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, which has only encouraged Kiffin to keep trying to flip the elite wide out. Royal's commitment to Texas came one day before LSU hired the former Ole Miss coach. Kiffin has been trying to flip Royal minute he landed in Baton Rouge.

“All day at school, all of my friends are pushing me to flip to the LSU Tigers,” Royal told Fox 8, New Orleans, last month. “You only get this process once – so I’m committed to Texas, but I’m still trying to figure out if that’s the best decision for me. The ultimate end goal is to make the best decision for my family and me. Coach Lane [Kiffin] and I are building a relationship. He texts me often, just telling me to have a good week—sending me videos, motivating me, and recruiting me to be an LSU Tiger.”

The Tigers hope to offer a bigger NIL package than Texas and LSU has been leaning on connections at Royal's high school Brother Martin HS. Royal is scheduled to take an official visit to LSU later in May.

Royal has "reaffirmed" his Texas pledge several times as suitors continue to press. In late December, the New Orleans native said he would continue to take visits, but he was sticking with the .