The first time Sachse senior wide receiver Kaliq Lockett came to Austin to visit with the Texas Longhorns, he had zero stars and no college offers.
Earlier this year Lockett was listed as a 5-star recruit by 247Sports with 33 college offers.
Now, the university that was the first to believe in him is the place that Lockett will call home for at least the next three years, starting in fall 2025.
With Lockett holding his cell phone in his left hand, Texas wide receivers coach Chris Jackson told the large crowd gathered inside Sachse’s gym on a live Facetime call on Wednesday, Aug. 7, that Lockett has given a verbal commitment to the Longhorns. Lockett chose Texas over Texas A&M, LSU, Florida State and Alabama.
“What’s not to like about Texas?” Lockett said. “Up-and-coming wide receiver U. We’re fixing to talk about how we’ve got Isaiah Bond, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore, Silas (Bolden), Ryan (Wingo), along with me over there. It’s a blessing in itself. It’s been a long journey. There’s been times when I didn’t even think that Texas would be the school. We’ve got it done.”
Lockett is the first 5-star recruit in the nation for the class of 2025 to commit to Texas.
“Trust me, I’m not going to be the last,” he said.
Lockett has worked hard to be one of the best wide receivers in Sachse history. After catching 13 passes for 260 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a freshman, Lockett improved to 482 yards and five scores as a sophomore. He got the attention of more college coaches following a breakout junior season in which he recorded 59 passes for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns and helped to lead the Mustangs to a district title and third consecutive playoff appearance.
Entering his senior season with Sachse, Lockett is just 657 yards from breaking surpassing 2015 Sachse High alum and Jacksonville Jaguars Devin Duvernay’s all-time receiving yardage total of 2,697 yards. Duvernay, like Lockett, was a Longhorn. Lockett is hopeful to bring three national titles to Austin before moving on to the NFL.
“I’m trying to break all of his records,” Lockett said.
Texas enters its first season in the SEC after exiting the Big 12, along with rival Oklahoma. The Longhorns went 12-2 in their final season in their former conference, highlighted by a 49-21 win against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship – their best season under fourth-year coach Steve Sarkisian, who has improved every year during his short tenure in Austin, going from 5-7 in 2021 to 8-5 in 2022 to a 12-win season in 2023.
“I’ve been building a relationship with Sark since I was a freshman,” Lockett said. “He wanted to see how I develop as a player and develop as a person. I fit the Texas mold.”
Wednesday’s ceremony was also one of celebration for Lockett, whose mother Kim, celebrated her birthday.
“I thank God for her,” he said. “She’s the reason why I’m here. I’m doing it for my mom, my dad and my family. It’s my dreams to get them a house in the hills. It was very special to commit on my mom’s birthday.”
How does the Lockett family plan to celebrate Kim’s birthday?
“We’re fixing to celebrate as a family in the house,” Kaliq said.
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