LSU Flips 4-Star DB Greedy James From Texas in 2027 Recruiting Class

LSU landed a significant recruiting victory on Thursday when four-star defensive back Greedy James flipped his commitment from the Texas Longhorns to the Tigers, dealing a blow to one of college football's premier programs during the summer official visit period.

James, a safety prospect from Manvel, Texas, had been among the longer-standing commitments in Texas's 2027 class before choosing to decommit and pledge to LSU. The flip represented one of the more high-profile recruiting reversals of the summer cycle, drawing attention from programs across the sport.

A Contested Recruitment

Notre Dame also made a strong push for James before he ultimately chose LSU over his previous commitment to Texas. The decision came after months in which James evaluated his options, including NIL offers from competing programs. LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond secured James as the second cornerback addition to the Tigers' 2027 class.

LSU's pitch to James centered on his development as a coverage specialist. "Their pitch is that I can be a great cover guy," James said of the Tigers' recruiting argument. The message resonated with the prospect, who chose LSU despite Texas having built momentum on the recruiting trail through the summer official visit season.

Their pitch is that I can be a great cover guy, especially as …

— Greedy James, via SB Nation: Burnt Orange Nation [1]

The loss is a notable setback for Texas, which had been active in building its 2027 defensive back room during the summer. For LSU, the flip adds an elite safety prospect to a class the Tigers have been aggressively constructing heading into the 2026 season and beyond. James's addition strengthens LSU's secondary recruiting haul and underscores the program's ability to compete for top prospects against SEC rivals and national contenders alike.