The competition for the top wide receiver recruit in the 2027 class is heating up, particularly among SEC teams. Easton Royal, who is currently committed to Texas, is making headlines with his decision to visit LSU officially.
Royal, ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 5 overall recruit by On3Sports, announced his upcoming trip to LSU, adding to a busy schedule that already includes visits to Tennessee and Florida. This week marks a significant moment for the New Orleans native, who verbally committed to Texas last November after an unofficial visit to Austin.
While he expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the LSU offense, Royal maintained that his connection with Texas “is stronger than ever, and it”s only getting stronger.” Despite this, his exploration of other SEC schools indicates a strategy that could benefit his recruitment process. The 5″11″ athlete is known for his impressive speed, clocking in at 10.3 seconds in the 100-yard dash, making him a formidable open-field threat poised for immediate playing time at the college level.
Texas has begun building a strong 2027 recruiting class, currently rated No. 9 by On3, with six commits, including standout players like Royal and EDGE prospect Cameron Hall. However, Royal remains the only wide receiver in this early commitment group.
Meanwhile, Tennessee holds the 17th spot in On3″s rankings for its 2027 class, although a recent decommitment from a defensive back may impact their standings. The Volunteers have secured two four-star recruits among their four commitments, yet they lack any wide receivers at this time.
As for Florida, the Gators are still looking to gain traction in the recruiting landscape, having only one commitment so far under head coach Jon Sumrall, which is a defensive back, leaving no immediate competition for Royal.
On the other hand, LSU has only two commitments, both four-star recruits, which currently does not feature any wide receivers. As Royal prepares for his visit to LSU, he still has one official visit remaining, with Ohio State and Ole Miss being considered options. The addition of LSU into the mix adds another layer of complexity to Royal”s recruitment, heightening concerns for Texas as they work to solidify their position.
