Texas' 2022 recruiting class got another big addition Thursday, when four-star defensive line prospect Justice Finkley announced his commitment to the Longhorns live on CBS Sports HQ. Finkley chose Texas over Alabama and Colorado, becoming the Longhorns' 21st commitment of the class and the 14th with four-star rating or better among a group ranked third nationally in the 247Sports team rankings.
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Finkley is considered the No. 18 defensive lineman in the class by 247Sports and is the No. 112 overall player in the 247Sports Composite. Landing Finkley from Hewitt-Trussville (Alabama) High School shows how first-year Texas coach Steve Sarkisian's time in the SEC footprint is paying off after he spent the past two seasons as Alabama's offensive coordinator.
"I just saw the education piece of it, for real," Finkley said on CBS Sports HQ . "They have a medical center there they just built up about six years ago. It's in the booming city of Austin. They're playing great ball, and with the addition of them going to the SEC, I saw a fit. I really believe in what Sarkisian is building over there at Texas."
Though Finkley is also interested in becoming a doctor, he appears to have a bright future in football. 247Sports talent evaluator Clint Brewster wrote the following assessment of Finkley's game in June:
Brawny rocked up compact frame, Finkley has a thick lower half that can generate force. Powerful leverage rusher in a 3-4 scheme at the high school level. Also shifts down to play defensive tackle at times. Excellent crossing the face of offensive lineman and getting an inside rush. Good chase athleticism and lateral movement skills. Gets underneath opponents and can forklift with great leverage. Play strength and physicality upon contact standout with Finkley. Can move down to the interior shades on the defensive line at the next level depending on physical development.
