Mario Cristobal, Miami steal four-star LB Aston Whiteside from Texas A&M

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Mario Cristobal, Miami steal four-star LB Aston Whiteside from Texas A&M

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 21, 2026 9:20 PM ET

Alston Whiteside is a four-star linebacker from Burleson, Texas, and for some time, he was planning on staying in the Lone Star State to play college football.

Whiteside had committed to the Texas A&M Aggies back in June after an official visit.

Another official visit, shortly after his commitment, seemingly changed the game for the four-star, though. That was a visit to go see Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.

Whiteside was back in Coral Gables to watch Miami beat the Florida State Seminoles in Week 7, and that put all the pieces together for him.

On Wednesday, the talented athlete flipped his commitment from A&M to Miami.

“Honestly, it came down to the relationships I built with the coaching staff, the vision they have for me, and the opportunity to develop both on and off the field,” Whiteside told Rivals regarding his decision to flip.

BREAKING: Four-Star LB Aston Whiteside has Flipped his Commitment from Texas A&M to Miami, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’2 215 LB had been Committed to the Aggies since June

“All Glory to God, Go Canes!”https://t.co/UgtORoSGpA pic.twitter.com/mrUdu0L5vx
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 21, 2026

Aston Whiteside wants to bring a championship to Miami

Miami kept recruiting Whiteside even after his commitment to Texas A&M, and that made it clear to him that the Hurricanes really wanted him in the fold.

Ultimately, though, it sounds like it's the football program itself, built by Cristobal, that really drew the four-star to flip.

"What put the U over the top was the culture, the energy around the program, and the belief I have in Coach Cristobal and the staff," he said. "I’m excited to get down there, compete at the highest level, and continue the tradition of great linebackers at Miami. I want to make an impact, help bring championships back to the U, and leave my own legacy.”

Whiteside is ranked as the No. 27 linebacker in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He's the 20th commitment to an elite Miami class, ranked No. 2 in the country.

Andrew Kulha

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

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