Sources: Four-star CB Phillips flips back to Texas

Four-star cornerback Kade Phillips has flipped his pledge from LSU to Texas, multiple sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Phillips, No. 95 in the 2025 ESPN 300, initially committed to Texas in July before flipping into the Tigers’ 2025 class in August, where he remained as the third-ranked member of Brian Kelly’s incoming class before shifting his pledge again Tuesday. The defensive back from Missouri City, Texas, joins the Longhorns as the program’s sixth top-100 pledge in the 2025 cycle just before the start of the three-day early signing period Wednesday.

“[Texas] showed me constant love,” Phillips told ESPN. “I’m ready to come in and make an impact.”

A two-sport star with a prolific track and field background, Phillips projects as one of the most versatile defensive backs in the 2025 class. Ranked as ESPN’s No. 10 cornerback prospect, Phillips has the size and tackling ability to play safety and could become a special teams weapon at the next level.

Philips took official visits to Baylor, LSU and Texas in the spring before committing to the Longhorns on July 6. He flipped to LSU six weeks later, remaining as one of the cornerstones of the Tigers’ 2025 class through Tuesday morning.

Now back with the Longhorns, Phillips stands as the sixth-ranked of 16 ESPN 300 pledges headed to Texas in the 2025 cycle. He returns to a talented Longhorns defensive class that’s led by five-star athlete Jonah Williams (No. 8 in the ESPN 300) — expected to play safety at Texas — and also includes four-star safety Zelus Hicks (No. 72) and former four-star Clemson cornerback pledge Graceson Littleton (No. 101).

The Longhorns reach the late stages of Steve Sarkisian’s fourth recruiting cycle with the nation’s fifth-ranked class in ESPN’s latest team rankings for 2025. Texas remains in the mix for five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry (No. 7 in the ESPN 300) and five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi (No. 9), among others, ahead of the early signing period.