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Texas offers late-cycle, out-of-state linebacker AJ Tuitele

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•about 16 hours
Johnny Nansen
Johnny Nansen (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Who doesn’t love a great late-cycle recruiting development?

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Texas’ 2025 class is not only mostly signed, it’s mostly already on campus, too. That hasn’t stopped the Texas staff from scouring for players who might be able to help the roster or address needs that went unmet in this most recent cycle.

One need has been linebacker. Texas signed two, Elijah Barnes and Jonathan Cunningham, but needed at least three and would have taken four if they were the right mix. Linebackers coach Johnny Nansen had Kellen Wiley teed up right before Early Signing Day but the Florida native decided to sign with Miami at the last minute. That left a definitive need in the class.

Enter A.J. Tuitele, a three-star linebacker from Mojave High School in North Las Vegas. Tuitele signed with Washington State but was released from his pledge after Cougars head coach Jake Dickert left for Wake Forest. With Tuitele back on the market Texas investigated further and liked what it found. 

On Tuesday, he was offered.

In my opinion, this kid is vastly underrated and should have been on Texas’ radar long ago. Not only does he have quality length and athletic traits, he has the sort of production that makes it undeniable he understands the nuances of linebacker play. 

Per Washington State:

During his senior season at Mojave High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada, AJ Tuitele delivered an outstanding performance, contributing significantly to his team’s success. His notable statistics for the 2024 season include:

  • Total Tackles: 196 (53 solo and 143 assisted)
  • Tackles for Loss: 39
  • Sacks: 5
  • Quarterback Hurries: 6
  • Pass Breakups: 9
  • Forced Fumbles: 2
  • Fumble Recoveries: 2
  • Rushing Yards: 189 yards on 15 carries
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 4

Tuitele’s exceptional defensive skills were instrumental in leading Mojave High School to a 12-1 record and securing the Nevada 4A State Championship. His consistent high-level performance, including ten games with double-digit tackles and two games with 20 tackles, highlights his significant impact on the field.

That is A LOT of production and when you watch his highlights it makes sense. Tuitele lines up mostly off-ball where his quick diagnosis, spatial awareness, and closing speed allow him to make plays near or behind the line of scrimmage. There’s also evidence of him coming off the edge where he’s more pinning his ears back in chase mode and making plays in the backfield. Then you see him in coverage where his eyes are yet again an asset as he diagnoses the quarterback’s intent before playing the ball in the air. 

This is a pretty complete prospect; I’m reminded some of Tyanthony Smith who flashed this season after signing with Texas in the 2024 class. Also like Smith, Tuitele is on the longer, leaner side of the linebacker spectrum at around 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. That won’t be a problem after a year or two in a strength and conditioning program.

I would be inclined to ignore these rankings. I doubt anyone truly evaluated him.

The real question, is, can Texas sign him? With the offer just being extended last night it’s too early to know. What we do know is USC is in pursuit and the clock is ticking for Nansen to get Tuitele on campus.

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