Baylor Bears defensive lineman Samu Taumanupepe (88). Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Florida Gators land massive DL Samu Taumanupepe in transfer portal

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 15, 2026 11:04 PM ET

Size is needed in the SEC, especailly on the offensive and defensive lines.

It's a big conference where "Big Boy" football is played, and the Florida Gators just got themselves a massive chess piece in that regard via the transfer portal.

Samu Taumanupepe is a defensive lineman out of Humble, Texas.

He spent the first two seasons of his college career at Texas A&M and last season, he clogged up the middle for the Baylor Bears.

Now it's being reported that Taumanupepe has wound up in Gainesville and intends to play 2026 for Gators' new head coach Jon Sumrall.

“They saw my size, and I think that is really what caught their attention,” he told Gators Online. “So, they wanted to get me out there to visit so I can see them and spend time with them. They said they saw my film and said they need a big dude.”

BREAKING: Baylor transfer DL Samu Taumanupepe has committed to Florida. https://t.co/4UQ7ohGg9E pic.twitter.com/jUwRIRKrPe
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 16, 2026

The Gators wanted a big guy, and they got one in Taumanupepe.

He checks in at a massive 6-foot-3, 376 pounds.

He's a nose tackle through and through. Last season at Baylor, he played in six games and made six tackles. He only has eight tackles in nine appearances as a college football player, but he's not there to tackle. He's there to take up a ton of space, so life gets easier for everyone on the defense around him.

Taumanupepe is a former 3-star recruit. He took a redshirt season right out of high school at College Station in 2023 and played in two games for the Aggies in 2024.

He was dominant as a recruit at Atascocita High School, notching 60 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception and one pass broken up as a senior.

He's the 22nd player to transfer to Florida this offseason.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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