On July 30, Texas A&M offered a scholarship to massive 6’3 380 NT Samu Taumanupepe of Humble Atascocita during an unofficial visit.
https://twitter.com/Samu4T/status/1553532485111349248
Today Taumanupepe decided to make his decision official and commit to the Aggies.
https://twitter.com/Samu4T/status/1554268449618239491
At 6’3 380 lbs, Taumanupepe is a big get for A&M, both literally and figuratively. Samu possesses freakish quickness for a player his size, and the tenacity to chase plays down from behind. Samu’s size allows him to easily two-gap as a nose tackle, meaning he shuts down the interior running game of opposing offenses. Taumanupepe uses his leverage to blow up double-team blocks and charge into the backfield, often for a sack of tackle for loss. The scary thing about Taumanupepe is he is just starting to scratch his athletic potential.
Samu’s weight is a slight worry because he needs to lose at least 40 pounds to become an every down player. Jordan Davis started at NT for Georgia last season at 6’6 340 lbs. Davis won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best lineman and Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player before being drafted #13 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Samu is three inches shorter than Davis and 40 lbs heavier, so he has some work to do. The good news for Taumanupepe is he has a goal and watched Jordan Davis go from three-star recruit to unanimous All-American and first round draft pick.
Possible Early Contributor
Taumanupepe simplifies defensive schemes because his presence in the middle forces offenses to go wide to the B or C gaps. When your mere presence on the field changes the offensive game plan, you’re a game-changer. With the four-game redshirt rule in college, Taumanupepe can come in as a true freshman and play immediately in short yardage and goal line situations as needed.
With the five year eligibility clock, Taumanupepe has the option to redshirt while he participates in the A&M strength and conditioning program and shows he can be an every down player. Samu has freakish athleticism for his size, he just needs to show he can bring it down after down against SEC competition.
Samu Taumanupepe chose A&M over offers from Miami, Oregon, Colorado, and others. Taumanupepe is the ninth commitment of A&M’s 2023 recruiting class and the first defensive tackle commit.
