Three in-state schools are treating 2026 Texas 4-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr. like a ‘top priority’

Willis (Texas) four-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr. can play both ways, but most schools are recruiting him as a cornerback. He holds nearly 25 offers and took game visits to Florida, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M this fall. 

Bishop Jr. will be taking Junior Day visits to the Longhorns on Jan. 25 and the Cougars on Feb. 1. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound recruit hears from both schools, along with Texas A&M “frequently” and is feeling like a key target to all three Lone Star State programs. 

 “A lot of schools are showing love and it is hard to say who is showing me the most love,” Bishop Jr. told On3. “But I definitely know that at those schools, I’m their top priority.”

Bishop Jr. has visited Texas A&M around half a dozen times. Texas has had him on campus a few times and Houston once for the Cougars’ game against Kansas State on Nov. 2. The No. 36 player in Texas wants to commit before his senior season and plans to take official visits ahead of announcing his college destination in the summer. 

He also knows what he wants in a school. 

“I’m looking at the culture,” said Bishop Jr., the No. 282 overall prospect and No. 21 athlete in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. “I also care about how coaches are during games. It’s not just about coaches talking with me one-on-one… but also about how coaches treat their players and other coaches.”

Bishop, Jr. talks Houston, Texas and Texas A&M

Houston: “It was my first offer, so they’ve been showing me love for a really long time. Willie Fritz, he actually coached my dad. He was my dad’s PE teacher a long time ago in elementary school, so he had a really good connection with him. Him showing me love and being familiar with my family stands out. Houston’s in my backyard. I grew up with a lot of Houston kids like Keisean Henderson. He’s one of my best friends. Being able to feel the love down there in Houston in my backyard is cool.”

Texas: “Austin’s a really beautiful place. It’s not only that, but the coaches show love. I was able to talk to coach Steve Sarkisian a couple of times at a game. Coach Terry Joseph is a really good guy. He treats the players well and he talked to me. Being able to feel the love that a player would get was cool. I’m also talking with coach Chris Jackson as well and coach Jackson checks in with me before games sometimes.” 

Texas A&M: “Coach Mike Elko came in and did the things that he said he was going to do. Him being able to build up the A&M name and A&M brand was cool to watch. They have a really good fanbase. No matter what game it is, people are showing love. They had one game at 11:00 a.m. and it was pretty full. That showed me that A&M shows love and not only do the fans show love, but the coaching staff and the players also show love.”

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