Texas A&M’s run at five-star corner Joshua Dobson appears to be slipping away at the worst possible moment.
The Aggies had spent plenty of time in the mix for the South Carolina native, and for a while it looked like they might be in line to land him after putting the press on. But with his announcement now just hours away, the momentum has swung hard toward the in-state Gamecocks, and Dobson’s Rivals predictions have been flipped away from Texas A&M.
That’s a familiar frustration for Texas A&M in this 2027 cycle. The Aggies have put together a strong class, but they’ve also watched several major targets go elsewhere as elite recruits shut things down.
Five-star interior offensive lineman Albert Simien was expected by many around the program to end up in College Station, only to pick Notre Dame on decision day. John Meredith was another player the Aggies led for a long stretch before he committed to Texas.
Once Meredith landed with the Longhorns, Dobson became the clear priority. For a while, it seemed like Texas A&M had positioned itself well enough to close the deal. Now, though, the picture looks much different.
Insiders have pointed to South Carolina as the team to watch, with Steve Wiltfong noting in recent days that Dobson was the Gamecocks’ top overall target and that they were prepared to do what it took to get him. That reportedly includes the NIL commitment South Carolina is willing to make. Texas A&M has generally avoided getting dragged into bidding wars, and with so much already committed to other five-star recruits, it’s a tough spot to be in against a program that appears willing to go all-in for one player.
The latest chatter has reflected that shift. Steve Wiltfong posted, “Gamecocks trending for their No. 1 overall prospect https://t.co/JhZVDHPH4a” - and the predictions followed. With Wiltfong and others moving their picks to South Carolina, Texas A&M now looks like it could miss out on another five-star defensive back after sitting in a strong position not long ago.
That said, the Aggies are not exactly hurting at the position. They already have three five-star defensive backs committed in Raylaun Henry, Kamarui Dorsey, and JayQuan Snell. So the secondary will still be in excellent shape either way.
Still, this one would sting. Texas A&M thought it had a real shot at one of the nation’s top two defensive backs, and now Dobson is set to announce at 5 PM CT with South Carolina clearly surging.
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Texas A&M Has One Last Five Star Shot At History
Texas A&Ms 2027 class is already sitting at No. 1, and the Aggies have put themselves in position to make a rare kind of recruiting statement. They are on pace to sign six five-star prospects, a total that would stand as the programs best haul in the modern recruiting era and put them in the same neighborhood as Alabamas elite 2023 class.
There is still one more big swing left on the board, and the Aggies appear to be in front for it. ON3 gives Texas A&M an 86.3 percent chance to land Dobson, and if that comes through, the class would climb to seven five-stars and match Alabamas benchmark from 2023. After missing on Texas native John Meredith III to Texas in June, the Aggies have a chance to finish this cycle with the kind of closing kick that lingers well beyond signing day. [Read more 🡒]
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Taylor is set to get another look in NBA circles when summer league games begin in early July, a stage that can still matter a lot for guards trying to prove they can handle the pace, the pressure and the shot-making that carries over. He had previously received a summer league invitation from the Milwaukee Bucks before starting his pro career, and this latest opportunity gives him another shot to turn a strong college legacy into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]