Category: NIL

4-star WR Ashton Bethel-Roman signs with Texas A&M after de-committing from Arkansas

Bethel-Roman signed a national letter of intent to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks on Dec. 20 but he was released from the NLI on Feb. 1.

With national signing day underway, many prospects around the country have been choosing their future homes and Texas A&M signed a big-time playmaker today.

4-star wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman chose to continue his football career in Bryan College Station with the Aggies. On3 Sports national recruiting expert Sam Spiegelman predicted the signing on Tuesday and nailed it.

Bethel-Roman signed a national letter of intent to play for Arkansas on Dec. 20. However, he was released from the NLI agreement on Feb. 1 and immediately re-opened his recruitment.

The talented wideout stands at just over 6 feet and weighs 170 pounds. He is a future graduate of Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas.

Bethel-Roman had 23 total offers and took four visits. He visited Aggieland on Dec. 15 and was primarily recruited by wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. He took three respective visits in June to the Razorbacks, Oregon and Texas Tech.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Texas A&M WR Jahdae Walker announces his partnership with NIL affiliate Texas Aggies United

Texas A&M wide receiver Jahdae Walker has partnered with NIL affiliate Texas Aggies United to announce his return for the 2024 season.

Texas A&M’s 2024 offseason has been exciting, to say the least, as new head coach Mike Elko has secured the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class with over 23 commits, paired with the 16th-ranked 2024 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

However, it’s been the plethora of return announcements from members of the Aggies’ roster coupled with their collective partnership with Texas A&M’s official NIL partnership, Texas Aggies United.

On Monday, former Grand Valley State wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who ended his first season in College Station, finishing second on the team with 590 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns through the air, joined over a dozen of his fellow Aggie teammates in announcing his return for the Elko’s inaugural 2024 campaign through T.A.G, stating, “Back for More.”

After the departures of veteran do-it-all receiver Ainias Smith (NFL Draft) and the talented Evan Stewart (transferred to Oregon), Jahdae Walker has a chance to become the No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Conner Weigman, competing for the job with incoming senior WR Moose Muhammad, and incoming junior WR Noah Thomas.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M LB Taurean York announces his official return for the 2024 season

Making it official, incoming sophomore Texas A&M LB Taurean York will officially return for the 2024 season.

Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York is coming off one of the best freshman campaigns during the 2023 college football season, already named to multiple All-American Teams last December.

Though the season ended on a disappointing note, mostly masked by the firing of now-former head coach Jimbo Fisher, the Mike Elko era has begun, and York is set to enter his sophomore season as one of the program’s star players with plenty of responsibilities on his shoulders.

Like many of his fellow returning teammates on Tuesday night, York made his return official through Texas A&M’s NIL representative, Texas Aggies United, stating in a post from X, “Back For More.” Heavily recruited by Mike Elko during his two-year stint as Duke’s head coach, York opted to continue his playing career in College Station, earning a starting spot late in the offseason.

Already establishing himself among the best first-year defensive players in Aggies’ history, currently ranking seventh in total tackles (66) and second in tackles for loss (8.5), jumping on the scene after an impressive fall camp.

Even with the departure of star backer Edgerrin Cooper to the NFL Draft, Elko has added depth at the position through the transfer portal, including former Youngstown State LB Alex Howard and former Florida LB Scooby Williams; York will be free to roam the field and take complete control of a unit that should see an overall improvement in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M EDGE Malick Sylla is set to return for the 2024 season

Texas A&M defensive line is set for 2024, as incoming junior EDGE Malick Sylla will return to the program for the 2024 season.

Following the big news that the incoming senior defensive tackle/defensive end Shemar Turner would return for a final season in Aggieland, incoming junior EDGE Malick Sylla followed suit via Texas Aggies United (NIL) on Wednesday night and will officially return to Texas A&M for the 2024 season.

Stating “Back for More” in a post on X, Sylla, who appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season, is coming off one of his better seasons while in a reserve role, recording 14 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hits on the year.

Sylla has yet to break through through two seasons due to the immense depth on the defensive line since the 2022 season. Still, after multiple defensive linemen entered the portal, new Aggies head coach Mike Elko has already added multiple EDGE veterans, including former Purdue Big Ten 2023 sack leader Nic Scoutron and former Bowling Green pass rusher Cashius Howell.

While Sylla will have to work his way up the depth chart, starting this spring, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him consistently impress the coaching staff and be further utilized in pass rush packages in new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s system.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M TE Donovan Green announces his return for the Aggies’ 2024 season

Through Texas A&M’s official NIL sponsor, Texas Aggies United sophomore tight end Donovan Green announced his return for the 2024 season.

The NIL era is here to stay, maybe not in its current format, but here to stay nonetheless. For Texas A&M, the program’s official NIL sponsor, Texas Aggies United, has partnered with current members of the Aggies roster to announce every player’s impending return, this time focusing on sophomore tight end Donovan Green.

After suffering a devastating ACL injury just a month before the start of the 2023 season, Donovan Green, who quickly became a favorite target for Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman towards the latter half of the 2022 campaign, would miss the entire year while focusing on his rehabilitation.

In nine games during the 2022 season, Green recorded 22 receptions, 233 yards, and two touchdowns, displaying the strength and blocking ability needed at the position, while his speed and route-running skills stuck out more than any trait, something the Aggies sorely missed in 2023.

In the age of NIL and the ever-growing transfer portal, Green has shown his commitment to the program through and through, as many of us who covered the games last season continuously noticed his presence on the sidelines with the team, itching to get back on the field. During a recent interview, Green expressed his excitement to work under new head coach Mike Elko:

“(Mike Elko) has shown things in the past couple weeks or month that he has been here that I have not seen in a long time.”

Coupled with new OC Collin Klein’s heavy use of tight end sets in his offense, look for Donovan Green to have a bounce-back season in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Breaking: Former San Diego State DB Marcus Ratcliffe will transfer to Texas A&M

Texas A&M has flipped former San Diego State defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe, who was recently committed to UCLA.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is on fire in the transfer portal and is hitting on some major positions of need. He wasn’t telling any lies when he said there would be some moves made after the bowl games.

A glaring issue this past season on the defensive side of the ball was the inconsistency on the secondary play. Then, with several defensive backs transferring out, the need was dire after seeing the young DBs struggle in the bowl game against Oklahoma State.

Help is reportedly on the way, as Elko has flipped the fifth-ranked safety in the portal in the form of former San Diego State DB Marcus Ratcliffe, who was recently committed to UCLA. The 6’3″ 210-pound freshman was fourth on the team with 50 tackles and 1 interception on the season.

Texas A&M is already in the Top Ten in the 247 Sports transfer rankings, with more to come in the next few days, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Temple Transfer OL Victor Stoffel has Texas A&M in his top three schools

Temple Owl transfer Victor Stoffel has Texas A&M as one of his top schools to visit

The Mike Elko Era is in full swing and one of the more notable changes is how aggressive they have been in the transfer portal.

Now granted a lot of it has to do with needing to fill spots due to players entering the portal and committing to other schools since the coaching change. Going forward, he might not need to hit the portal as hard as he is now, but it’s still a stark difference from previous years.

One area of the team that could use some experience, depth, and competition is along the offensive line. They have already hosted a few with more coming down the pipeline including the 6’8″ tackle out of Temple, Victor Stoffel. Pete Nakos of On3 confirmed that Stoffel will be visiting Texas A&M along with Cal and UCF.

Stoffel not only would bring size but also a wealth of experience as this will be his sixth season playing college football and spent the last two as the starting right tackle. The Stockholm native closed out his year with the College Football Network Midseason All-AAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, All-American Honorable Mention, and All-ACC Honorable Mention.

If Elko and company can bring him in it will be a huge plus for the depth of the OL and give them a chance to experiment with getting the best five on the field to protect the QB.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

‘Lock in with the brother next to you. That’s what it has been this season.’ Wright and Mathews speak after TaxAct bowl game

Seniors Max Wright and Sam Mathews have big games during the TaxAct Bowl and speak post game presser

The 2023 football season has officially come to an end for the Aggie Football team and new head coach Mike Elko has a lot to look forward to in the future.

I don’t think anyone knew what to expect when the Aggies took the field at NRG Stadium on Wednesday night. Then, when third-string QB Jaylon Henderson was knocked out of the game on the very first play from scrimmage, it appeared that skipping the game altogether might have been the wiser choice.

However, true freshman Marcel Reed, 180 pounds soaking wet, showed that Aggie spirit and fought all game long, giving A&M a fighting chance to the very end. Two seniors, Max Wright and Sam Mathews, played huge roles in keeping the game in reach, capping off their final game in the Maroon & White. Wright finished the game with four receptions for 62 yards and Mathews finished with a career night that he will never forget.

His stat line consisted of a team-leading 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and an interception. Max and Sam both talked about their time at A&M and what this season meant to them.

 “Texas A&M, to me, is the perfect representation of what it means to be people of honor and people of character. It’s the best university in the world, and there is no other university like it. I will be an Aggie for the rest of my life.” – Max Wright

“This season has been one I’ll never forget. Those last weeks might have been my favorite on this team with how everybody bought in and committed to each other. It was special to be a part of.”

Below, you can hear everything Max Wright and Sam Mathews had to say following the game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

‘..I am proud of that team and that locker room. I’m proud of those guys for stepping through.’ Elijah Robinson speaks after close loss to Oklahoma State.

Hear what Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson had to say after the TaxAct Bowl game

The 2023 football season has officially ended for the Aggie Football team and new head coach Mike Elko has a lot to look forward to in the future.

I don’t think anyone knew what to expect when the Aggies took the field at NRG Stadium on Wednesday night. Then, when third-string QB Jaylon Henderson was knocked out of the game on the very first play from scrimmage, it appeared that skipping the game altogether might have been the wiser choice.

However, true freshman Marcel Reed, 180 pounds soaking wet, showed that Aggie spirit and fought all game long, giving A&M a fighting chance to the very end. As awkward as the Elijah Robinson situation got over the past few weeks, he kept his word to the team, took a very depleted team in the TaxAct Bowl, and gave the Big 12 runner-up a run for their money.

“We talked brotherhood from the very beginning, and no matter what anybody said outside of that locker room, the locker room was about brotherhood.” “I give a lot of credit to the coaches and those guys sticking around… The kids gave us everything we asked of them.”

Below, you can hear everything Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson had to say following the game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Texas A&M OL Reuben Fatheree II announces his return for the 2024 season

Following several of his teammates, incoming Texas A&M senior OL Reuben Fatheree II will officially return for the 2024 season.

The good news keeps rolling in, as Texas A&M junior right tackle Reuben Fatheree II has joined several of his Aggie teammates in announcing his return for the 2024 season after missing ten games due to injury last season.

Through the now regularly scheduled Texas Aggies United post on X, serving as A&M’s official NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partner, aided Fatheree in his announcement, simply stating “Run it Back” in said social media post. Fatheree’s absence last season was detrimental to the Aggies’ chances of gaining consistency on the O-line, as freshman tackle Chase Bisontis did the best he could with little to no experience.

Standing at 6’8″ and 315 pounds, Fatheree’s stature and athletic prowess make him the perfect tackle on paper, and with 25 appearances, including 23 starts, missing the bulk of last season shouldn’t hinder his ability to pick up where he left off.

Joining starting left tackle Trey Zuhn, guards Kam Dewberry and Mark Nabou, and center Bryce Foster, the Aggies have now returned their entire 2023 offensive line outside of guard Layden Robinson, who recently announced his departure for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Entering Texas A&M as a four-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, Fatheree, according to 247Sports, was positioned as the 17th-ranked offensive tackle and the 20th-ranked player in Texas.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.