Texas Turns Up Heat on USC Linebacker Josiah Poyer

Texas football isn’t done shopping in Southern California.

Per On3/Rivals insider Adam Gorney, the Longhorns have reportedly intensified their pursuit of USC linebacker commit Josiah Poyer, giving Steve Sarkisian another chance to raid one of the most talent-rich regions in the country.

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Poyer has been committed to the Trojans since March 29, but Texas linebackers coach Johnny Nansen is making sure that decision doesn’t become comfortable.

According to Gorney, Texas is still fighting hard for the three-star prospect from powerhouse St. John Bosco.

Nansen’s deep West Coast connections and the Longhorns’ NIL muscle have helped keep Texas involved despite USC’s increasingly aggressive efforts to lock down committed players.

That makes Poyer more than another name on a recruiting board.

Texas already owns one of the nation’s strongest 2027 classes, ranked inside the top five by multiple major recruiting services. What the Longhorns don’t yet have is an inside linebacker commitment, making Poyer a clear priority.

Nansen’s familiarity with California could matter. He previously coached at USC and UCLA and has spent years building relationships with elite high school programs across the region.

Texas has also shown it can win major recruiting battles in the state, most notably flipping five-star edge rusher Richard Wesley during the previous cycle and landing four-star defensive lineman Kasi Currie in June.

USC won’t surrender Poyer easily.

The Trojans have revamped their recruiting operation under general manager Chad Bowden and adopted a strict policy discouraging committed prospects from visiting other schools.

That approach is designed to prevent programs like Texas from getting recruits onto campus and gaining late momentum.

The strategy has largely worked. USC has lost only a small number of major commitments since Bowden’s arrival, and Lincoln Riley has made rebuilding relationships with local programs a priority after years of criticism over Southern California talent leaving the state.

Still, Texas has proven it doesn’t need an easy path.

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The Longhorns have the money, coaching connections and recruiting credibility to make this uncomfortable all the way to signing day. Poyer may remain solid with USC, but Texas isn’t hanging around for appearances.

The Longhorns believe this recruitment can still be won.