Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texas A&M lands four-star EDGE over Texas, Baylor and others

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 9:37 PM ET

The Texas A&M Aggies have picked up a major in-state recruiting win, and Mike Elko and his staff are officially building something great.

The Aggies brought in the No. 9-ranked 2026 recruiting class with 26 players sending in their National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

Elko and the Aggies are now off to a massive start on the 2027 recruiting trail.

On Monday, it was announced that Kaden McCarty, a four-star 2027 EDGE from Houston, Texas, had committed to the Aggies.

This was a massive win for Texas A&M, especially when considering the in-state implications of McCarty's decision. Not only was he a top in-state target for the Aggies in 2027, but he committed to Texas A&M over several other schools in the state.

Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech and hometown Houston were also in the running for McCarty's commitment.

BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Kaden McCarty has Committed to Texas A&M, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’2 215 EDGE from Houston, TX chose the Aggies over Texas, Texas Tech, Houston, and Baylor⁰⁰“It’s been long journey but I’m home, Gig ‘Em!”⁰⁰https://t.co/BwgiRqm8Xv pic.twitter.com/szsx9TsWH7
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 8, 2025

McCarty has visited Texas A&M several times in 2025, which clearly played a role in his commitment.

Texas A&M Aggies land elite 2027 EDGE Kaden McCarty

He was on campus for the season opener against UTSA. He saw Texas beat Auburn and was in attendance to watch the Aggies make the biggest comeback in school history in a thrilling win over South Carolina.

McCarty is a big-time EDGE recruit. He notched 51 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown in his junior season with Cy Falls High School. As a sophomore, he tallied 59 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and two blocked punts.

According to 247sports, McCarty is the No. 11 EDGE in the 2027 class and the No. 10 recruit from the state of Texas.

He's Elko's eighth 2027 commitment in a class that's ranked No. 1 in college football here in the early going.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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