​The Texas Longhorns are pushing hard to recruit top talent from across the country, not just within the Lone Star State. Coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have stretched their reach to the California coastline, pursuing standout players from that region with the same intensity they apply to in-state prospects. One notable pursuit involves three-star linebacker Josiah Poyer, who Texas is trying to sway away from USC. Poyer, a star at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, has drawn attention from Texas linebackers coach Johnny Nansen as the Longhorns seek to add his versatility to the defense.
Yet, the most significant development for the Longhorns out west does not center on Poyer. Texas fans are buzzing about a potentially dramatic five-star flip on the recruiting trail that could reshape the balance of power in this cycle. There’s a sense that Sarkisian is aiming to shake up situations with former employers, and his latest target epitomizes that approach.
Texas remains relentless in pursuing Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, a five-star talent from Cathedral Catholic in San Diego, despite USC having assurances that Fa’alave-Johnson plans to join the Trojans in the 2027 class. National recruiting insider Adam Gorney of On3/Rivals noted the ongoing conversations, even as USC appears to hold a firm grip on the situation. During the Bash at the Beach 7-on-7 tournament at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Gorney observed Texas continuing to press for Fa’alave-Johnson’s commitment and to stay in his mental orbit.
“The Longhorns seem to be playing the long game here in case anything changes at USC after this season or they can circle back closer to signing day, because the San Diego Cathedral Catholic standout said Texas is still contacting him every single day,” Gorney observed. “Others have backed down a little bit, but Texas is still the team trying to stay in Fa’alave-Johnson’s mind, although the five-star has been courteous but not curious at all.”
USC, however, holds a powerful counter move. Gorney explained that Fa’alave-Johnson has been leaning toward USC, with ongoing conversations involving Marcus Allen, the legendary Los Angeles Raiders running back from Fa’alave-Johnson’s hometown of San Diego, and head coach Lincoln Riley, who continues to discuss the role Fa’alave-Johnson could play on campus. The San Diego connection to Allen and the broader SoCal football tradition adds a significant layer of appeal for Fa’alave-Johnson, making it challenging for Texas to pry him away.
Texas is not backing down from its bid, though. Sarkisian and the Texas staff are employing a multi-pronged approach to persuade Fa’alave-Johnson, combining consistent daily contact with a clear vision of how he could fit into the Longhorns’ program and culture. The goal is to keep Fa’alave-Johnson’s name on the top of the list as signing day approaches, signaling that Texas will continue to pursue top-tier talent with unwavering determination.
It’s also worth noting that Texas has previously demonstrated success in flipping high-profile West Coast targets. Last year, the Longhorns secured the commitment of a five-star edge rusher, Richard Wesley from Sierra Canyon High School, who switched his allegiance from Oregon to Texas in the summer. That decisive move underscored Sarkisian’s ability to land elite players from out west when the stars align, and it has many in Texas believing the staff could pull off another major coup with Fa’alave-Johnson.
As the recruiting cycle presses forward, all eyes will remain on Fa’alave-Johnson’s decision. If Texas can sustain its momentum and keep Fa’alave-Johnson’s attention amid USC’s strong push, the Longhorns could pull off a game-changing flip that would reverberate beyond the immediate signing period. Until then, Sarkisian and his staff will continue their measured, persistent approach, leveraging California connections, the San Diego pipeline, and a proven track record of late-cycle pivots to maximize their chances of landing one of the nation’s most coveted talents.