Shockwaves in Recruiting: 4-Star Taven Epps Abruptly Decommits from Texas—Where Will He Land Next?

Texas football’s pulse just got a little more unpredictable. After a thrilling late-season surge that thrust the Longhorns back into the College Football Playoff conversation, the program now faces a stinging blow on the recruiting front. Taven Epps, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound four-star linebacker from Tustin — once a prideful Texas commit — has suddenly reopened his recruitment, ending a six-month pledge that was like a golden ticket for Steve Sarkisian’s staff. How often do you see a recruit flip the script after tipping the scales in your favor? It’s a reminder that in college football, nothing’s truly set in stone until those letters of intent are inked. Now, Texas has to grapple with a slew of heavyweight suitors lining up: Georgia, USC, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Alabama. And let me tell you, the drama’s just beginning as these programs circle this prized ‘backer like hawks. Can Texas hold on, or will a Red River rival snatch this prized commitment at the last moment? It’s a high-stakes chess match — and every move counts. LEARN MORE

Texas football catapulted back into the College Football Playoff picture through a late surge. But now the Longhorns sustained a massive college football recruiting loss — with Taven Epps going from April commit to decommitting.

The Class of 2027 linebacker and four-star from Tustin reopened his recruitment Sunday evening. Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals confirmed Epps’ move, ending a six-month commitment.

Epps handed Steve Sarkisian and the Texas coaching staff a pivotal California win — as Epps stars for Tustin High. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound ‘backer became Tustin’s first major high-profile recruit since Frostee Rucker (USC) and DeShaun Foster (UCLA).

But now there’s new, potential suitors lurking after Epps reopened his process.

Who could grab Taven Epps after Texas decommit

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rushes as Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) and Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) defend in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. — SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas must now worry about who’ll grab the long and rangy linebacker. Including a school “Coach Sark” knows well.

USC received a September visit from Epps, during a time he was still verbally committed to Texas. But Keegan Pope of On3/Rivals revealed Epps has multiple possibilities.

“Georgia, USC, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Alabama are among the schools that have been in contact with Epps in recent months, with the Trojans and Bulldogs hosting him in September. Last month, he made stops with the Sooners and Fighting Irish, too,” Pope wrote.

The last thing Texas wants is OU swooping up a past commit. Both Red River rivals have attempted to flip recruits countless of times over the years.

But Notre Dame is one more to monitor. Head coach Marcus Freeman comes with a linebacker background including coaching the position.

Meanwhile, Texas moved into the top 10 in the AP poll despite having a bye.

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