Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has ensured in recent days that no matter who starts under center for the Aggies next season, they will be well-protected.
Freshman All-SEC offensive lineman Chase Bisontis withdrew his name from the NCAA Transfer Portal on Tuesday. The early signing period opened Wednesday and three 4-star offensive linemen put pen to paper and committed to Texas A&M, beginning with Ashton Funk and Papa Ahfua.
The third pass protector to sign his name on the dotted line is Blake Ivy. The 6-foot-3 1/2, 280-pound offensive tackle hails from Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas.
✍️ SIGNED ✍️
Gig ‘Em, @_Blake_Ivy 👍#NSD24 pic.twitter.com/T7ypBIG2G8
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) December 20, 2023
Ivy verbally committed to the Aggies on Aug. 19. He had 18 total offers and took respective visits to Texas A&M, LSU and Texas.
“I appreciate everyone coming out and supporting me today. I know it’s early and you had a lot of things you could do but y’all are here, so I appreciate that,” Ivy said in August. “I would like to first start by giving thanks to God for blessing me with the ability and talents to take this game and use it as a tool to better my future. To my family, for all the unconditional love and support throughout my life and my football journey. To my mom, for bringing me into this world and raising me to be the man I am today. Even though it always wasn’t easy, for believing in me, seeing the best in me and sacrificing to get things that we need and want, even though it wasn’t always easy.
“To my dad for stepping into my life, when my biological father didn’t want to be there. For showing me what a real man looks like protecting and providing for his family and for teaching me valuable lessons that I will take with me in my next chapter in life. Thank you to all the coaches and teammates for bringing the best out of me every day and helping me get to where I am today. I want to thank all the college coaches who saw something in me, giving me a chance to play for their team and be a part of their family.
“With that being said, I will be attending Texas A&M University.”
https://www.youtube.com/live/8IRdy7hkHBw?si=o2Zl_6xk4DtamgUf&t=1260
Other notable schools that offered Ivy include Baylor, Florida, Houston, Missouri, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, UTSA and Vanderbilt.
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