Texas keeps finding itself in the middle of the 2027 recruiting fight, and this time the target is one of USC’s biggest commitments.
According to Inside Texas, the Longhorns are pushing hard to flip five-star athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, a player Texas had already made the cut for before he chose USC on March 14. The San Diego Cathedral Catholic standout is listed by some outlets as a safety, but 247Sports has him ranked as the No. 1 athlete in the 2027 class.
Fa'alave-Johnson was already on Texas fans’ radar before his Trojans pledge, and the Longhorns clearly haven’t backed off. With plenty of time left in the cycle, Texas is treating this as a real pursuit rather than a long shot.
How far that push goes could depend on what happens over the next year. The source notes that championship-level success from Texas and disappointing results from USC in the 2026 season could help swing the recruitment.
The appeal is obvious when you look at the production. Last season, Fa'alave-Johnson totaled 40 tackles and three interceptions on defense. On offense, he was even more explosive: 150 carries for 1,532 yards and 23 touchdowns, plus 35 receptions for 564 yards and seven more scores.
That kind of two-way production is part of why scouts see him as a safety at the Power 4 level, even if his offensive résumé keeps turning heads. Andrew Ivins of 247Sports said the ceiling may be highest on defense, but also pointed to his value with the ball in his hands.
"Ceiling appears to be highest at safety given the IQ and physicality, but has the skills to also be an effective three-down running back with his vision, hands and agility," Ivins wrote.
Whether Texas is chasing him strictly as a defensive piece or has bigger ideas for him down the line, the Longhorns are firmly in the mix. This one looks like it could stay alive deep into signing day.
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