Texas A&M’s recruiting machine is humming under Mike Elko, and if the early returns are any indication, the Aggies are building with a clear and calculated vision: size, speed, and Sunday-level talent.
With the 2026 class essentially locked in and already working through offseason conditioning, Elko and his staff have wasted no time shifting gears toward the future. The Aggies already have 10 commitments for the 2027 cycle - a group that currently ranks second nationally - and they’ve even begun extending offers to prospects in the 2028 class.
That’s right, 2028. This staff isn’t just thinking one step ahead; they’re playing a long game with elite-level precision.
Texas A&M had planned to host a junior day last weekend to continue building those future classes, but Mother Nature had other plans, forcing a cancellation due to weather. Still, the momentum hasn’t slowed. The Aggies finished with a top-10 class in 2026, and the early makeup of the 2027 group suggests they’re not just maintaining that level - they’re aiming to raise the bar.
Elko’s blueprint became crystal clear when he made a bold statement this offseason: to win the SEC, you need 13 NFL draft picks on your roster. That’s not just a catchy soundbite - it’s a philosophy driving the way this staff evaluates talent.
They’re not just looking for good college players. They want future pros, and they’re prioritizing traits that translate to the next level: elite size, top-end speed, and positional versatility.
Take Jayce Johnson, the four-star quarterback commit out of Georgia. He’s the kind of dual-threat talent that fits today’s game - a former defensive back turned quarterback with a build and skillset that already mirrors what you see on Sundays.
Then there’s Kaeden Scott, the towering offensive lineman out of San Antonio. At 6-foot-6 and already a standout in the All-American game as a junior, he’s the type of anchor you build a line around.
Both are part of that 2027 class, and both check the boxes Elko values most.
But it’s not just about individual stars - it’s about building a roster that can overwhelm opponents with speed and explosiveness. Since Elko’s arrival, Texas A&M has made a conscious effort to get faster across the board.
A significant number of signees and commits also run track, bringing verified sprint speed to the football field. That kind of athleticism shows up in every phase of the game - stretching the field on offense, closing space on defense, and flipping field position on special teams.
It’s a strategic shift that reflects where the game is headed. In the SEC, where margins are razor-thin, speed kills - and Elko wants to be the one doing the killing.
The Aggies are building a roster that can play fast, think fast, and create big plays in all three phases. That’s not just a recruiting win; it’s a culture shift.
So while the portal window has closed and the ink is dry on the 2026 class, don’t think for a second that things are slowing down in College Station. Elko and his staff are already deep into building the next wave of Aggies - and if their vision holds, it’s not just about making noise in recruiting rankings. It’s about building a team that can finally break through in the SEC and contend for more than just headlines.