Texas keeps stacking talent in the 2027 class, and Friday they pulled one straight out of Alabama’s backyard.
Junior Tu’upo, a four-star safety from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, committed to the Longhorns over a final five that included Alabama, Oregon, Auburn and Indiana. He took official visits to all five schools before making his call, but the visit to Austin back in June was the one that shifted things.
Tu’upo is 6-foot-2 and versatile enough to play multiple spots in the secondary. That flexibility is something Texas defensive pass game coordinator Blake Gideon made sure to highlight. Gideon, who came back to Texas alongside Will Muschamp after running Georgia Tech’s defense, built a strong relationship with Tu’upo and his family. That connection, more than anything else, is what sealed it according to Tu’upo.
“The relationship we built with Coach Gideon and his family was big,” Tu’upo said. “He showed me how they’d use me, and it felt right.”
He’s originally from Florida, so his recruitment path looks a little different from the typical Alabama prospect even though both in-state schools pushed hard. Tu’upo also pointed to Austin as a major draw beyond football. The city, the vibe, the campus — it all factored in.
Where Tu’upo ranks
Rankings vary depending on which service you check, but they all agree he’s one of the better defensive backs in the country. The 247Sports Composite has him as the No. 19 safety and No. 236 overall prospect nationally. Rivals Industry Ranking puts him at No. 22 at his position, No. 256 overall and No. 13 in the state of Alabama.
On the field last season, he put up 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and three interceptions. He also helped Thompson win a state championship. So the production matches the size and athleticism. That combination made him a priority target for Texas in this cycle.
What this means for Texas’ 2027 class
Tu’upo is the second Alabama prospect to join the Longhorns’ 2027 class, joining four-star edge rusher Jabarrius Garror. He’s also the third defensive back in the group, alongside John Meredith III and Karnell James.
This commitment keeps a hot June going for Texas. They landed their ninth pledge of the month, pushing the 2027 class to 19 commitments total. Right now that’s good for No. 5 nationally in the 247Sports Composite team rankings.
And for a program that’s been aggressive on the trail under Steve Sarkisian, pulling a defensive back out of Alabama — especially one who turned down the Crimson Tide — is the kind of win that gets noticed.
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