Texas flips 2028 backfield: former Oklahoma pledge Micah Rhodes commits to the Longhorns

Texas has added a new piece to its 2028 recruiting class, securing a commitment from high school running back Micah Rhodes. Rhodes, listed as a four-star prospect and ranked No. 11 at the running back position in the 2028 class by Rivals and On3, previously pledged to Oklahoma. The move changes the direction of a spot that had been built around the Sooners’ recruiting pipeline.

Rhodes attended Klein Oak High School, a background that helps explain why he drew early attention from major programs. In recruiting circles, Klein Oak has produced prospects who can handle high-volume backfield workloads and run with power, qualities that Texas typically looks for when recruiting premium tailbacks.

The commitment also represents a recruiting shift between two conference rivals who have frequently evaluated the same talent pools in Texas. For the Longhorns, adding an RB prospect of Rhodes’ caliber is not just about filling a future roster spot. It is also about reinforcing the identity of their offense, which depends on explosive running plays and credible downhill rushing threats.

For Oklahoma, Rhodes’ departure means the Sooners will need to reshuffle their recruiting plans at a position where they had already invested in a top-tier prospect. While commitments do not always forecast final recruiting class outcomes, flips like this can have downstream effects on the remaining targets on staff boards.

Texas’ recruiting pitch in the 2028 cycle is now boosted by Rhodes’ status as a nationally ranked back. As programs build classes years in advance, a player’s ranking can influence how other recruits view the depth chart and the program’s ability to attract and develop talent at the position.

It is still early in the process, and recruiting classes can change as prospects take visits, assess depth chart realities, and evaluate coaching development. But with Texas now holding Rhodes’ commitment, the Longhorns have gained leverage in their long-range plan for the backfield.

What to watch next is whether Texas follows this commitment with additional running back targets who fit Rhodes’ profile, and whether Oklahoma responds by pursuing another prospect in the same recruiting window. For both programs, the next steps will indicate how aggressively each staff is trying to control its momentum in the 2028 class.