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The recruiting party continues in Texas, as Andrew Maksymowski, the 8th-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2026, announced his verbal commitment to the Longhorns on Tuesday via Instagram.
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I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Texas. First and foremost, I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches. Especially my Mom and Dad for their unwavering support throughout my swimming journey. I would also like to thank Coach Bowman, Coach Erik, and Coach Trevor along with their coaching staff for giving me and my family this opportunity. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey and I cannot wait to start this next chapter. Hook ‘em Horns! 🤘
A rangy freestyler, Maksymowski’s times make him look like the classic Eddie Reese-era Texas recruit, though of course, his range provides the Bob Bowman-led Longhorns plenty of value as well. Maksymowski owns his high school class’ fastest 200 freestyle time; with a 1:35.61 best, he’s currently the only member of his class to break 1:36.
He’s been 4:22.64 in the 500 free as well, which solidifies him as one of the best mid-distance swimmers in his year. Texas joins the SEC this season and already Maksymowski’s lifetime bests put him just outside of scoring range.
But with lifetime bests of 20.83 in the 50 free, 44.76 in the 100 free, and 15:21.77 in the 1650 free, Maksymowski could contribute in a range of freestyle events. That versatility makes him an asset for any NCAA program, as he can contribute to relays along with the points he’ll bring in through his individual events.
Best Times (SCY):
- 50 freestyle: 20.83
- 100 freestyle: 44.76
- 200 freestyle: 1:35.61
- 500 freestyle: 4:22.64
- 1650 freestyle: 15:21.77
At the long-course Speedo Summer Championships in July, Maksymowski swam lifetime bests in the 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, and 200 fly. His best finish came in the 200-meter freestyle, where he finished 10th with a lifetime best 1:50.51, bettering the 1:50.81 he swam in prelims. He also notched top-16 finishes in the 400 free (3:54.23, 14th) and 800 free (8:13.96, 16th).
Texas has hit the ground running during Bowman’s first recruiting season in Austin. Maksymowski is the third top-10 ranked recruit in the class of 2026 to publicly commit to the Longhorns, joining #3 Austin Carpenter and #4 Rowan Cox.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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This is insane. Texas has flipped the script from, “Let’s hope we can get some high level recruits” to “Hurry up and commit to us before our roster is full.” I think that’s why we’re seeing so many recruits commit to Texas this early; it’s because they don’t want to be left off the team.
Campbell McKean just flipped
I agree and disagree.
Texas has become an elite program now with Bob and as his first year recruiting, this could be a stacked team. By the looks of it, Bob is trying to win national titles and put kids on international teams. Many people are committing early to make sure they get the spot, yes. But I’m sure Bob has a group of guys that he has pinpointed that he believes will bring his team to the top. That’s why it’s these boys committing and not anyone else. He wants to secure the good guys and he got the job done.
There are going to be some super talented swimmers on the outside looking in for NCAA roster cuts in a season or two.
Remember a school can have unlimited scholarships now!
Boy, if he de-commits, he might just have to move. It might be easier than getting all that “wallpaper” down.
Pretty sure that was taken at the college photoshoot during his visit. My son had a photoshoot for one of his visits as well
Swims for Irvine Novaquatics and Northwood HS if anyone was curious like I was.
Thanks. Strange to leave that information out of article that is as much about club/high school swimming as it is about college swimming.
The high profile commits are awesome for UT but if we’re being real this Class of 26 has a strong case for one of the worst that SS has ever ranked. Bowman flexing his muscles that he can dominate recruiting is great but if you zoom out these guys really don’t move the needle much compared to the big internationals he’s recently landed.
I don’t disagree that his is a relatively-weak class compared to some other ones we’ve seen at the top.
Still, dropping three seconds in the 200 free as a sophomore to go 1:35 is a real-deal time. That’s not too far behind what Maximus went as a sophomore.
The internationals that he’s recently landed are 19 or 20 years old. These guys’ times are from when they’re 15 or 16.
2026 class vs 2025: 2026 has a better top time in 4/14 events
2026 vs 2024: 2026 has a better top time in 9/14 events
2026 vs 2023: 2026 has a better top time in 11/14 events
2026 vs 2022: 2026 has a better top time in 13/14 events
Basically, this class doesn’t have a Williamson/Heilman combo but otherwise as sophomores it’s very comparable.
Bowman made Arizona a national winner. Imagine what he can do at Texas that had a better base, he got several of his recruits from Arizona to come over and now with the Texas NIL & Brand overall… Sheesh, its not even fair.
Realistically only 2-3 other teams have the upside to compete with this on their best years.
Not Arizona.
Let’s go, Andrew!!