Longhorns football receives encouraging update from elite prospect

As highly regarded 2027 recruit, Junior Tuupo narrowed down his list over the weekend, the Texas Longhorns had a reason to celebrate. On Sunday, Tuupo revealed his top five teams, and the Longhorns made the cut. The other programs still in the mix are Auburn, Alabama, Oregon,and Indiana.

Currently, the Thompson High star is ranked as the 15th best player from Alabama in his class by 247Sports. They also rank the talented safety as the 32nd best player at his position and the 246th player in the nation. With one year of high school play left under his belt, Tuupo could see his stock continue to rise.

During the 2025 campaign, Tuupo was a human highlight reel. He recorded 66 tackles, including five for a loss. The three-star prospect also added seven pass breakups and three interceptions to his resume. Regardless of the opponent, he found a way to make an impact, which has drawn the attention of some of the nation's top programs.

If Tuupo were to commit to the Longhorns, he would be part of a talented 2027 class. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has already secured commitments from four-star recruits Easton Royal, Cameron Hall, Derwin Fields, and Karnell James. They will be joined by JT Geraci, Cade Haug, Ty Knutson, and Jackson Cook. That group is currently ranked as the tenth best in the nation.

While some elite programs are still in the mix, the Longhorns have seemingly made a good impression with Tuupo. He was on campus for a multi-day visit about two weeks ago. The Alabama native has also taken visits to Oregon, Indiana, and Alabama.

Over the next few weeks, the Longhorns will be keeping an eye on Tuupo as he continues to weigh his options. Their hope is that when he decides where to start his college career, Austin will be seen as the best fit.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Elite Alabama prospect lists Texas Football in his final top five