On Tuesday , Class of 2027 linebacker , a four-star phenom out of Tustin, California, officially shut down his recruitment and announced he’s committing to the Texas Longhorns. And just like that, one of the fastest-rising defensive prospects in the country is headed back to his roots.
Epps made the announcement public with a “I’m coming home” message, and for good reason—his journey to Texas is more than just football. It’s personal.
From California Star to Texas Bound
Epps had options. A lot of them. Nearly 30 scholarship offers poured in for the 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebacker who has quickly become one of the most feared defenders in the 2027 class. Ranked as the No. 3 linebacker in the nation by multiple recruiting sites, Epps had schools lining up.
Big-time programs like USC and UCLA, both just miles from his California home, made hard pushes. USC is building a recruiting empire with the No. 1 class in 2026 and already eyeing ’27 talent. UCLA had an emotional tie—head coach DeShaun Foster is actually a Tustin High graduate, just like Epps.
But it didn’t matter. Because at the end of the day, home isn’t always where you are—it’s where you belong. And Epps’ heart has always been in the Lone Star State.
Why Texas? It Was More Than Football.
In a conversation with 247Sports’ Blair Angulo, Epps opened up about why Texas won him over.
“Over time and on the handful of visits I have taken to Austin we’ve built a great relationship with the coaches,” he said. “Coach Johnny Nansen and the rest of the staff, they’ve been great to us and it’s just a really comfortable environment. We actually moved out to California from the Dallas-Fort Worth area about four years ago and still have family out there, so it’s going to make the transition easier.”
Translation? This commitment wasn’t just about Xs and Os. It was about trust, connection, and comfort. It was about family. Epps still has relatives in Texas. He knows the state. He knows the culture. He knows what burnt orange means.
The Longhorns landed Taven Epps, a four-star linebacker from Tustin, California, in a bold move that stunned recruiting giants USC and UCLA. Epps, one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class, brings size, speed, and star power—and some believe he could become the next big name in Austin after Arch Manning. He’s not a quarterback, but make no mistake: this is the kind of player you build a team—and a legacy—around.
What Texas Is Getting in Epps
This isn’t just a good pickup. It’s a major statement by head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff. While other programs are scrambling to stay in the mix for 2026 talent, Sark is already setting the tone for the next cycle.
Epps is a game-changer. He’s being recruited as a hybrid defender—a rangy, sideline-to-sideline off-ball linebacker who can also rush off the edge. According to national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, Epps is “one of the most complete defensive players in the region.”
He’s got the body. He’s got the instincts. He’s got the motor. And now, he’s got the Texas logo on his chest.
A Bounce-Back After Recent Losses
Texas needed this win. Just days earlier, four-star safety Blaine Bradford chose Ohio State over the Longhorns. They also lost transfer linebacker David Bailey to Texas Tech.
Landing Epps doesn’t just patch a hole—it fuels momentum. It tells the rest of the country that Texas isn’t backing down. The horns are up, and the fight is on. could Epps become the face of the program after Arch Manning?
The Big Picture
This is Texas’ first commitment of the 2027 cycle, and it’s a big one. Sarkisian already has four pledges lined up for 2026, and the Longhorns currently sit at No. 33 in the national rankings—but with players like Epps in the pipeline, that number could rise fast.
Epps is the kind of player you build a defense around. And he’s doing it in a place that already feels like home.
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