Texas A&M didn’t just win big on the recruiting trail in 2027 - it spent big, too.
On Wednesday, On3’s Pete Nakos laid out the college football programs that have invested the most money into compensation for their 2027 classes, and the Aggies sat at the top of the list. Texas A&M is reportedly at $10 million across 25 commitments, a haul that includes the No. 1 class in the cycle and six five-star pledges.
At the center of it all is five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, the program’s highest-ranked commit and, according to the report, its highest-paid recruit as well. Matthews, the No. 1 tackle in the 2027 class, is expected to make $1 million during his three- to four-year career in College Station, a figure that puts him in the same neighborhood as some of the country’s top quarterbacks, including Texas star Arch Manning.
The price tag makes sense when you look at the player. Matthews is widely viewed as a future first- or second-round NFL draft pick, especially because of what he brings in pass protection. He’s also in line to step into the left tackle job in his first or second season, depending on how the offensive line shakes out after the 2026 season.
Nakos reported that Texas A&M beat out Miami for Matthews, with multiple sources saying the 6-foot-5, 285-pound prospect from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and St. Thomas Aquinas turned down a bigger offer from the Hurricanes to choose the Aggies.
Money mattered, but it wasn’t the whole story. Matthews has continued to help recruit for Texas A&M, and after his commitment he shouted, “Elko era!” That message fits with his belief that Mike Elko is building one of the top college football programs in the country.
Matthews isn’t the only major offensive line addition in the Aggies’ class. Texas A&M also landed five-star interior offensive lineman Kennedy Brown, along with four-star tackles DeMarrion Johnson and Kaeden Scott.
Elsewhere on Nakos’ list of the highest-paid 2027 recruits, five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson was included after choosing South Carolina over Texas A&M, Michigan and Auburn on Wednesday.
In Other News...
Texas A&M Just Got A Preseason SEC Slot Fans Will Hate
Texas A&Ms offseason work has been hard to miss, with a transfer haul that landed among the nations best and brought in proven scoring help alongside the return of key pieces from last seasons roster. The Aggies added PJ Haggerty, Jalen Shelley and Tyshawn Archie through the portal, while also keeping Zach Clemence and Mackenzie Mgbako in the fold as they try to build a deeper, more balanced group for the 2026-27 grind.
Still, CBS Sports college hoops insider Jon Rothstein is not buying the hype just yet, slotting the Aggies ninth in his preseason SEC power rankings. That kind of placement will sit awkwardly with a fan base that sees a roster with more firepower than that, especially with Texas also sitting much higher in the league pecking order and a demanding SEC schedule waiting to test whether A&Ms new-look lineup can turn paper promise into wins. [Read more 🡒]
These Five Aggies Will Decide If 2026 Lives Up To The Hype
Texas A&M heads into its third season under Mike Elko with the kind of buzz that only comes when a roster looks ready to turn promise into something bigger. The 2026 conversation starts with quarterback Marcel Reed, but it does not stop there. The Aggies have to replace production and absorb the ripple effects of departures and injuries, which is why the spotlight keeps landing on a handful of players who can shape how far this team goes.
Anto Saka, Rueben Owens II, Mario Craver and Dezz Ricks are all being asked to help define the next step, whether that means steadying the pass rush, giving the offense a new lead back, finding a go-to target at receiver or tightening things up in the secondary. For a team carrying real expectations into 2026, the difference between a good season and one that matches the hype may come down to how quickly those roles settle and whether the Aggies get the answers they need from the players closest to the center of it all. [Read more 🡒]
Aggies Just Got A Hopeful Sign On Daymion Sanford
Daymion Sanfords spring game knee injury has lingered as one of the quieter concerns around Texas A&M, mostly because the program has kept the details close to the vest. Sanford is not just another linebacker on the roster, either. Hes a captain and one of the more important voices on that defense, so any hint that his recovery is moving in the right direction naturally gets attention from Aggies fans looking for good news.
The optimism has started to show up in public, too, with the football account and Sanfords family both sending upbeat signals in recent days. Nothing official has changed on the injury front, but the tone around Sanford has shifted enough to make people wonder whether his return could come sooner than first feared. For a defense that wants every bit of depth it can get, even a hopeful sign like this matters. [Read more 🡒]