The incoming seniors for next fall are locking in their college decisions earlier than ever. With many wanting to shift their focus to enjoying their final season under the Friday night lights, verbal commitments are rolling in ahead of kickoff. Today, we take a closer look at which college programs are winning the recruiting battles for some of the top linebacker talent in Texas high school football’s class of 2026. So, which school is leading the charge at the position so far?

Photo: Tulsa vs. East Carolina on Nov. 14, 2024 at H.A. Chapman Stadium. credit: BRETT ROJO/For the University of Tulsa

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane might not be the first program that comes to mind when talking about recruiting dominance in Texas, but that narrative is quickly shifting. Under the direction of Head Coach Kevin Wilson, Tulsa has made a major splash in the Lone Star State with its 2026 recruiting class—particularly at the linebacker position. While many Power Five programs are still jockeying for commitments, Tulsa has already locked in two of the most versatile and promising defensive prospects in Texas high school football. So, who are the recruits helping Tulsa win the battle at linebacker in the class of 2026?

Enter Reilarean Phillips, a hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline linebacker out of Alief Elsik. Standing at 6-foot-1.5 and weighing in at 190 pounds, Phillips is a three-star recruit who held 18 Division I offers before choosing Tulsa. Programs across the country had their eyes on Phillips, including several Group of Five and lower-tier Power Five schools, but Tulsa emerged victorious in landing his commitment. Known for his explosiveness, leadership, and ability to diagnose plays quickly, Phillips is the type of prospect who brings both production and upside. His versatility as a second-level defender, combined with his athleticism in space, makes him a perfect fit for Tulsa’s evolving defensive scheme.

Phillips isn’t coming alone, either. Joining him in the linebacker corps is another elite Texas product—Alonzo Welch out of Mesquite Horn. Like Phillips, Welch measures in at 6-foot-1.5 and 190 pounds and brings a unique hybrid skillset to the field. While listed as a linebacker, Welch’s game tape shows his ability to thrive in multiple roles—whether it’s dropping back in coverage like a safety or coming downhill to fill gaps and make stops in the run game. That kind of flexibility is exactly what modern college defenses covet, and Tulsa saw the value early. Welch is considered one of the more underrated defenders in the class, with the potential to make an early impact in multiple packages.

Extremely blessed to have this opportunity. With that being said I’m committing to the University of Tulsa @CoachMorrisLOE1 @CoachRobertt @Only1MarcusBag @Shaun_Graham_DB @ReardonCoach @CoachTreLamb9 @Coltonts12 @Tulsa #Regincane? pic.twitter.com/hjCL7TASpQ

— Alonzo Welch (@alonzo_welch6) April 30, 2025

What makes these two commitments even more impressive is the level of competition Tulsa beat out. Phillips had attention from nearly 20 D-I programs, and Welch was on the radar for schools looking for hybrid defenders who could keep up with today’s fast-paced offenses. By locking in both early, Tulsa has sent a clear message: they’re not just trying to compete—they’re trying to build.

With recruiting battles heating up all across Texas, Tulsa is proving they can punch above their weight class when it comes to identifying and securing talent. The Golden Hurricane aren’t just focusing on filling roster spots—they’re being strategic, targeting players who can develop into game-changers within their system. And in Phillips and Welch, they may have found two of the most underrated gems in the 2026 class.

If this trend continues, don’t be surprised to see Tulsa’s name pop up more frequently when discussing the top recruiting hauls in Texas. For now, when it comes to linebackers in the class of 2026, the Golden Hurricane are clearly out in front—and their momentum is only building.

(featured photo: Alonzo Welch out of Mesquite Horn High School, 2026, S/LB, X.com)