The Texas Longhorns continue to stay hot on the recruiting trail. After picking up commitments from Lucas Rhoa and Neimann Lawrence on Thursday, head coach Steve Sarkisian and and his staff locked in another big commitment on Friday from the Yellowhammer State.
Four-star Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson safety Junior Tu’upo’s recruitment was originally trending towards an in-state battle between Alabama and Auburn, but several visits to Austin changed the tone and trend line of the recruitment.
The Texas staff hit Tu’upo’s official visit out of the park and put the Longhorns in prime position to land his commitment and on Friday Tu’upo announced his commitment to Texas over Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, and Oregon, the finalists for the 6’2, 190-pounder who also hosted him an official visits.
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Here is a scouting report on Tu’upo from 247Sports Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks:
– Taller, rangy defensive back with a variety of positional experience in the secondary.
– Owns the look of a modern corner with the tackling production and willingness of a safety.
– Got part-time two-way reps as a freshman and sophomore, in addition to basketball participation.
– Still building strength throughout frame, but will crash downhill vs. the run and the perimeter quick game.
– Wiry tendon strength aids in man situations at the line of scrimmage and catch point.
– Showed improved ball skills as a junior.
– Likely provides special teams value.
– Functional athlete with requisite speed in pads, but does not possess the typical catalog of verified speed markers.
– Projects to the P4 level as a potential high-major DB puzzle piece who could eventually become a pro prospect.
Tu’upo is the No. 19 safety and the No. 236 prospect overall in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Tu’upo is the second blue-chip prospect that Texas has landed from the state of Alabama in the 2027 class, along with Jabarrius Garror. With Tu’upo’s pledge, the Horns are up to 19 pledges in the class, which now ranks No. 5 nationally, just behind the Sooners.
