Four-star IOL John Turntine III commits to Texas over Michigan and Texas A&M

The pledge from the elite Fort Worth lineman marked an Independence Day recovery for the Horns after missing on Felix Ojo.

The Texas Longhorns are putting together one of the elite offensive line groups in the country with the addition of consensus four-star guard John Turntine III on July 4.

A recruitment featuring many twists and turns for the services of the elite lineman out of Fort Worth North Crowley with Texas locking up with the Texas A&M Aggies, the Michigan Wolverines, and the Stanford Cardinal. Turntine narrowed his field of 36 offers down to those four finalists, with Texas getting the last shot during the summer visit window on June 20.

Turntine is the No. 36 player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, the No. 3 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 3 player in the state of Texas — position coach Kyle Flood has added a championship-level cornerstone to his room. The commitment of Turntine helps lessen the blow of missing on No. 2 offensive tackle Felix Ojo, who committed to Texas Tech on Friday after reportedly signing a three-year, $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal with the Red Raiders that is fully guaranteed.

The Longhorns now boast 17 commitments for the 2026 cycle, vaulting Texas to No. 11 overall in the team rankings. Perhaps more importantly, the Longhorns are putting together a solid offensive line class in front of consensus five-star quarterback commit Dia Bell with Turntine becoming the third commitment for Flood in the offensive trenches.

Analysis (by Daniel Seahorn):

John Turntine III is a bit of a polarizing prospect to watch due to the fact that he lacks the ideal measurements you look for in a player you are trying to project to offensive tackle at the next level. He is listed at 6’3.5 and 285 pounds with good arm length, but there has been some mention over the previous months of him dropping some weight for reasons unknown at this time. Recruiting services have begun listing him as an interior offensive line prospect, but he’s been courted by Power Four programs like a guy who is going to begin his career at tackle.

When you get past the measurables for Turntine, you get to the athleticism that jumps off the screen from snap to the finishes of plays. Turntine is one of the most nimble, agile, and athletic offensive line prospects I have watched this cycle, and it really shows up when he is operating in space as a puller and on screens. He shows the ability to navigate space and bodies very fluidly and consistently executes his assignment by walling off and finishing blocks at the second and third level. Shows adequate play strength and power in his hands which shows up both as a run blocker and pass protector. Shows the ability to displace defenders from the LOS both on solo and combo blocks. Does a good job of bringing his feet with him when he makes contact with defenders as a run blocker.

Shows good patience in his pass sets, and his athleticism shows up with his ability to mirror pass rushers and prevent them from pushing the pocket. Shows the ability to recover when defenders try to redirect and go underneath him in pass protection. I would like to see him get a little more depth in his sets, as it will benefit him down the road against better pass rushers who can threaten him more than the guys he sees at the high school level.

I think Big John is going to get a legit shot at tackle at the next level because his athleticism and length will absolutely play up, and I believe he will get the weight conundrum figured out. His athleticism and intelligence will be plus-plus additions regardless of where he ends up beginning his career and I think he has a bright future both on and off the football field.