Utah adds Texas defensive back Brandon Richards to 2027 class
Oct 11, 2026, 11:33 AM | Updated: 12:05 pm
Port Arthur Memorial athlete Brandon Richards. Photo courtesy by Brandon Richards.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s recruiting weekend produced a commitment Sunday, as Texas defensive back Brandon Richards joined the Utes’ 2027 class.
The Port Arthur Memorial prospect made his decision during a weekend official visit to Salt Lake City, where Utah hosted Kansas for its whiteout game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Richards becomes Utah’s 21st commitment and its fifth from Texas, adding another prospect from the Lone Star State to Morgan Scalley’s future secondary. He also joins a familiar face in the class: Memorial teammate and safety Darrod Jacobs.
1000% committed #RNSB https://t.co/babAd7u5cQ
— Brandon Richards (@BRichWR1) October 11, 2026
Texas playing a significant role
Texas accounts for nearly a quarter of Utah’s current commitments, with Richards joining Jacobs, Coppell cornerback Jaden Bibbs, Brennan safety/linebacker Aiden Martin and Grand Oaks receiver Darnell Jackson Jr.
Three of those five prospects are defensive backs, making Texas particularly important to how Utah is building its secondary in this recruiting cycle. The group includes prospects from the Dallas area, San Antonio and Southeast Texas, giving the class representation across several of the state’s recruiting markets.
Richards’ commitment also gives Utah two players from the same Memorial program. Jacobs pledged to the Utes in June, and the pair now have an opportunity to continue their careers together in Salt Lake City.
Texas DB @BRichWR1 leaves his official visit as a Utah commit. The Rice-Eccles atmosphere and Sharrieff Shah’s vision for his development helped make Salt Lake City feel like home. https://t.co/8hOLjmAqEh
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 11, 2026
State championship speed
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Richards brings a track background that offers a measurable glimpse of his athletic ability. MileSplit lists personal bests of 10.84 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.37 in the 200.
Richards also helped Memorial win the Texas Class 5A state championship in the 4×400-meter relay this spring. He teamed with Matthew Christian, Cam’ron Roberts and Tyson Barnes to finish in 3 minutes, 14.69 seconds, edging Texas City by half a second.
That speed gives Utah an appealing athletic foundation to develop. Richards will still need to translate those physical tools into the coverage technique and consistency required at the college level, but his track résumé provides a clear starting point.
His football background includes playing receiver at Memorial, and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football lists scholarship offers from TCU, North Texas, UTSA and Louisiana. He joins Utah with experience on the offensive side of the ball as he looks toward a future in the defensive backfield.
Utah’s 2027 commitments
Richards’ addition brings the class to 21 prospects. Texas has the second-largest representation with five commitments, behind Utah’s nine. Arizona accounts for four, with California, Idaho and Oklahoma contributing one each.
- Ian Aloisio, OL: Timpview (UT)
- Damian Anyasodo, OL: St. Mary’s (CA)
- Jaden Bibbs, CB: Coppell (TX)
- Braxton Daniel, TE: Jenks (OK)
- Diesel Dart, S: Corner Canyon (UT)
- Kaleb Hall, S: Syracuse (UT)
- Jack Henderson, EDGE: Bishop Kelly (ID)
- Jaxton Itaaehau, ATH: Davis (UT)
- Darnell Jackson Jr., WR: Grand Oaks (TX)
- Darrod Jacobs, S: Port Arthur Memorial (TX)
- Jonah Lubno, QB: Campo Verde (AZ)
- Jonah Mailei, RB: Skyline (UT)
- Aiden Martin, S: Brennan (TX)
- Taylan Patterson, ATH: Basha (AZ)
- Brandon Richards, DB: Port Arthur Memorial (TX)
- Sire Stewart, OL: Chandler (AZ)
- Dillon Sykes, WR: Lone Peak (UT)
- Tiki Teeples, DL: Canyon View (AZ)
- Monson Tukuafu, EDGE: Bingham (UT)
- Fui Vakapuna, LB: Timpview (UT)
- Jackson West, ATH: Corner Canyon (UT)
