Texas commit Junior Tu'upo's last-minute Alabama visit is not a call for concern

It took just one trip to the 40 Acres for four-star safety Junior Tu'upo to know that the Texas Longhorns were his future team.

Even after his official visit to Texas and taking subsequent OVs to the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers, his home-state teams, Tu'upo committed to the Horns.

Unsurprisingly, neither the Tide nor the Tigers has backed off since Tu'upo's commitment, doing their best to turn his attention in their direction. He's the No. 11 prospect out of Alabama after all.

Most recently, reports started circulating that Tu'upo would be in attendance for the Crimson Tide's first game of the season, marking his third visit to Alabama since his recruiting process began.

While it never feels great to see one of your blue-chip recruits visiting another team, this is far from a cause for concern for the Longhorns, and there are a number of reasons why:

1. Alabama is playing the East Carolina Pirates

Yes, you read that correctly. The blockbuster game that Tu'upo will be in Tuscaloosa for is a non-conference, non-Power Four matchup between the Tide and the... East Carolina Pirates, a team that hasn't had a regular-season win over a major program since 2018 (when they beat UNC).

Not exactly a game that could change the tide (pun intended) of the season, unless something goes drastically wrong for Alabama, which would be all the merrier for the Horns.

In other words, while this may be an easy win for 'Bama, it isn't exactly a show-stopping game for a blue-chip recruit to attend. Especially one who grew up just down the road from Tuscaloosa.

2. Alabama-East Carolina is an 11 a.m. kick off

The atmosphere that one feels while standing on Saban Field at Bryant–Denny Stadium during a night game is one of the top in the nation. However, just like anywhere else, the vibes aren't quite the same when the home team kicks off at 11 a.m. or noon local time.

And, of course, when Tu'upo is scheduled to be on the sidelines, Alabama and East Carolina are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT.

That not only means a hot, mid-day matchup, but it also means an early start to the day for Tu'upo, a high school senior who probably wants to sleep in when he isn't putting in work on the football field or in the gym.

3. Why wouldn't he be there?

Now, this third and final point is more of a guesstimate than the previous two, which were relatively matter-of-fact.

Nonetheless, Tu'upo has grown up in Alabaster, AL, a town that is barely over an hour away from the Tide's home in Tuscaloosa. So, it has always been extremely easy for him to get to Bryant-Denny Stadium on game day (distance-wise), much less when he's given a pass to the sidelines.

I mean, even as a Texas fan, wouldn't you accept what is equivalent to a free ticket to see a Power Conference team in action?

Simply put, Tu'upo is taking every opportunity given to him during his recruitment process, and anyone with a solid head on their shoulders would (or at least should) do the same. It is nowhere near time for the Longhorns to hit the panic button.

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