Texas struck another big win on the 2021 recruiting trail.

After visiting Austin for the Texas-LSU game, Denton Ryan athlete Ja'Tavion Sanders decided to shut things down and pick Texas. The four-star prospect chose the Longhorns over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.

Sanders' commitment to head coach Tom Herman was captured on video and posted to Twitter by one of his high school coaches, who confirmed to Horns247 that it Sanders did indeed make a verbal pledge.

After Texas landed Denton Ryan athlete Billy Bowman earlier in the summer, they turned their attention to his teammate. Sanders exploded onto the scene as a sophomore in Denton Ryan’s playoff run. Sanders played both wide receiver and defensive end for the Raiders, and he logged 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 touchdowns on 378 yards receiving.

247Sports Midlands regional recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks compares Sanders to Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley. Brooks calls Sanders, “(A) Power Five-caliber recruit on both sides of the ball as an edge defender and flex tight end. Adequate height with enough frame space to add some bulk. Flashes straight-line athleticism to run by much smaller players, including as a wideout in the passing game. Quick off the line when playing in a three-point stance. Not just an edge-bender but a corner-turner when rushing the passer. Strong tackler. High-motor player who's active and engaged against the run. Shows encouraging hands catching ability for a two-way player with ample defensive experience. Dangerous against the screen pass because of that. Will need to expand pass-rushing repertoire if playing off the edge in college. Relies on athleticism to beat high school OT's. Might be a bit of a 'tweener as an edge defender. If playing tight end, will need to hone technique as a blocker in the box as he's often asked to play as a wideout, rather than an in-line TE or H-back. Very intriguing prospect thanks to physical potential, athleticism, and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Possesses long-term early-round NFL Draft ceiling.”

At 6-foot-3.5, 220 pounds, Sanders is ranked as the No. 3 athlete in the nation and No. 6 overall prospect in Texas for the 2021 class, according to 247Sports Composite.

Texas finished with the No. 3 recruiting class in the 2019 cycle, highlighted by big-time out-of-state recruits like four-star tight end Brayden Liebrock, four-star linebacker De'Gabriel Floyd and four-star wide receiver Jake Smith. The Longhorns also had success in-state, landing five-star athlete Jordan Whittington and four-star offensive lineman Tyler Johnson.

Texas also finished with a Top 3 class in the 2018 cycle as the Longhorns brought in a historic defensive back haul during Herman's first full recruiting cycle at Texas.

The Longhorns currently hold the No. 6-ranked class in the nation for the 2020 cycle with 18 total commitments. Sanders joins a 2021 class that currently ranks No. 2 nationally with 8 total commits – Bowman, Katy Tompkins quarterback Jalen Milroe, Dallas Skyline wide receiver Quaydarius Davis, Katy Taylor offensive lineman Hayden Conner, New Caney linebacker Derrick Harris Jr., Lake Travis tight end Lake McRee, and Everman athlete Juan Davis.