Elite 2027 OT Joshua Sam-Epelle down to 10 schools

As he begins his next-to-last postseason push on Friday nights, Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County four-star offensive tackle Joshua Sam-Epelle has his first group of top schools locked in.

The towering 6-foot-8, 305-pounder told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett on Monday that he’s down to 10 schools: Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Sam-Epelle is the No. 48 overall prospect and No. 8 OT in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 6 junior in the Peach State.

The top list comes amidst a jam-packed visit schedule for Sam-Epelle. He’s gotten out to see myriad campuses this fall and continues to get a better idea of what he’s looking for in his home at the next level.

Over the weekend, he was in Coral Gables to see Miami pick up a big win over Syracuse. The Hurricanes are certainly in the mix moving forward.

“It puts them even further on my list than I thought they were. I definitely would say they are top three for sure,” Sam-Epelle said of the ACC program when speaking with Rivals’ Marcus Benjamin.

Both Georgia and Georgia Tech are expected to get the in-state target back to campus this fall. According to the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Bulldogs are currently trending.

“The time I spent in Athens today (was great),” Sam-Epelle told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman after visiting Athens last month. “The atmosphere is always amazing and truly a great time. What continues to stand out about the opportunity is the pure fact they play true freshmen, and if you can start as a true freshman at UGA you’re a draft pick.”

Tennessee and South Carolina are other programs that have garnered some buzz early on his process. Back in August, Sam-Epelle told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that the Gamecocks were actually the team to beat.

“Right now, South Carolina is the team to beat,” he said. “I’ve seen Coach Beamer transform that program. I like the staff, I like the tradition — I’ve been there four or five times now, and every time it feels great. Beamer Ball is real.”

Sam-Epelle plays for one of the top high school programs in Georgia as Douglas County is currently the No. 12 team in the state, per the Rivals Composite Rankings. As the Tigers try to capture a state title, Sam-Epelle is inching closer to a decision.

“When I commit, relationships matter. Playing early is big — I want to get snaps right away,” he told Simmons this summer. “NIL is part of it, too. But at the end of the day, I’ll commit to the school that shows the most love and puts me in the best position to get on the field and succeed.”

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