Alabama’s push to keep chipping away at Texas’ 2027 class isn’t slowing down, and the latest name back on campus is one the Crimson Tide know well.
According to Tom Loy of 247Sports, Alabama is hosting 2027 Texas commit Junior Tu’upo this weekend for a visit. The Alabaster, AL native pledged to the Longhorns on June 26 after an official visit from June 19-21, but Alabama has clearly stayed in the hunt.
For a while, the Tide were thought to be in the driver’s seat for Tu’upo, until Texas made its move late and landed him. Even so, this isn’t shaping up like a clean break.
Alabama still has plenty working in its favor, starting with geography. Tu’upo is from Alabaster, and he also has a connection with current 2027 Alabama commit and quarterback Trent Seaborn.
There’s also the simple roster math. Alabama does not currently have a committed safety in its 2027 class, and that makes Tu’upo an even bigger name on the board.
The Tide’s 2027 recruiting cycle hasn’t exactly gone the way they drew it up. Over the offseason, Alabama missed on Tu’upo, Hayden Stepp, Mitchell Turner, Kenneth Simon, Colt Lumpris, and Monshun Sales. But the staff is still pressing forward, and Tu’upo remains one of the more interesting targets they’re willing to keep chasing.
That makes sense when you look at what he brings. He’s got the kind of versatility Alabama can plug into multiple spots, and his special teams value stands out right away. His edge is effort, and that tenacity is the trait that could ultimately define him.
247Sports scout Gabe Brooks described Tu’upo as having “the length of a modern corner with the tackling production and willingness of a safety.”
That kind of profile fits what Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is looking for. And with the Crimson Tide potentially staring at a mostly rebuilt secondary next season, the timing is easy to understand. Bray Hubbard, Zabien Brown, and Keon Sabb will be NFL-bound, while Dijon Lee and Red Morgan are the veterans in the defensive back room.
Alabama has already done work to stock the future of that unit, bringing in Ivan Taylor, Jireh Edwards, Jorden Edmonds, and Zyan Gibson. Still, Tu’upo would be a meaningful add if the Tide can keep nudging the door open.
For now, the key detail is simple: Alabama has him back in Tuscaloosa this weekend, and the staff may not be done there. The Tide are still pushing hard for one of their top safety targets.
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