Texas A\&M 2025 Recruiting Class: Why Mike Elko’s Blueprint Is Different

Texas A\&M 2025 Recruiting Class: Why Mike Elko’s Blueprint Is Different

Honestly, if you looked at College Station a couple of years ago, the "vibes" were pretty much in the basement. We all remember the Jimbo Fisher era ending in a mess of massive buyouts and a roster that looked like a Ferrari with no engine. But fast forward to the close of the early signing period for the Texas A&M 2025 recruiting class, and you can basically feel the oxygen returning to Kyle Field.

Mike Elko didn't just walk in and try to buy the flashiest players on the market. He went to work.

The result? A top-10 haul that feels way more "meat and potatoes" than the star-studded classes of the past that ultimately fizzled out. This group isn't just about high-profile names; it's about fixing the actual problems that have kept the Aggies from being a real threat in the SEC. We’re talking about massive offensive linemen who actually want to block and a secondary that doesn't get torched on third-and-long.

The Big Fish: Jerome Myles and the Speed Factor

If you want to know why people are hyped, look no further than Jerome Myles. The five-star wideout from Utah is essentially a human highlight reel. He's 6-foot-2, weighs 210 pounds, and runs a 10.36-second 100-meter dash. That is "get out of your seat" speed.

But it’s not just about the track times. Myles chose A&M over some heavy hitters late in the cycle, and his commitment signaled that the Aggies could still win the big-boy recruiting battles under Elko. He’s joined by other playmakers like Kelshaun Johnson, a kid from Hitchcock who basically defines the word "twitchy."

The thing about this class that stands out is the balance. In 2024, Elko had to use the transfer portal like a life raft. He brought in 23 transfers just to keep the ship afloat. For the 2025 cycle, the script flipped. He signed 25 high schoolers, which is the foundation you need if you’re actually going to build a program that lasts more than one season.

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Winning the Trenches in Mesquite and Beyond

You can't win in the SEC if your offensive line is a sieve. It’s been the Achilles' heel in College Station for a while now. That’s why Lamont Rogers is arguably the most important signature in the entire Texas A&M 2025 recruiting class.

Rogers is a massive human being—6-foot-7 and 330 pounds out of Mesquite Horn. He's a five-star tackle who had every school in the country trying to flip him. Keeping him in the fold was a massive statement. When you pair him with guys like Nelson McGuire and Jonte Newman, you’re looking at a future wall that might actually give Marcel Reed enough time to scan the field.

It’s kinda refreshing to see a focus on the "big uglies" up front. Elko’s background is defense, so he knows better than anyone that if you can't control the line of scrimmage, your fancy five-star receivers are just expensive decoys.

Defense: The "Wrecking Crew" Roots

Speaking of defense, this class has Elko’s fingerprints all over it. He likes long, lanky corners and physical linebackers.

  • Adonyss Currie: A track-star corner from California who brings the length Elko craves.
  • DJ Sanders: A 325-pound defensive lineman from Bellville who basically eats double-teams for breakfast.
  • Noah Mikhail: A highly touted linebacker from California who provides that "quarterback of the defense" mentality.

There’s a clear trend here: versatility. Elko mentioned during his National Signing Day presser that he wanted to fix the "imbalance" of previous years. Last year was heavy on defensive tackles; this year, he balanced it out with edge rushers like Marco Jones. It’s a deliberate, almost surgical way of building a roster. No more signing five guys at one position and zero at another just because they had high star ratings.

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Why This Class Ranks Where It Does

Depending on which site you check—247Sports, On3, or Rivals—the Texas A&M 2025 recruiting class generally sits between No. 7 and No. 9 nationally.

Recruiting Service National Rank Key Signees
247Sports No. 8 Jerome Myles, Lamont Rogers
On3 Industry No. 7 DJ Sanders, Kiotti Armstrong
Rivals No. 9 Adonyss Currie, Noah Mikhail

Now, some fans might look at that and say, "Hey, Jimbo had the No. 1 class in 2022, why aren't we there?" Honestly? That 2022 class was a bit of an outlier (and a bit of a cautionary tale). Being in the top 10 consistently is where you want to be. It means you’re getting elite talent, but you’re also (hopefully) getting guys who fit the culture and won't jump into the portal the second things get tough.

What Most People Get Wrong About A&M Recruiting

There's this narrative that A&M just throws NIL money at everyone and hopes for the best. While the 12th Man Foundation and various collectives are obviously involved—it's 2026, you'd be crazy not to be—Elko has been vocal about "roster management."

He’s not just looking for the best players; he’s looking for the right ones. For example, losing a guy like Husan Longstreet (who flipped to USC) hurt, but the staff didn't panic. They pivoted, held onto Brady Hart, and focused on the positions where they were bleeding.

The goal isn't to win the "offseason national championship" anymore. It's to build a team that can actually survive a November gauntlet in the SEC.

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Surprising Depth in the Tight End Room

One name you should probably circle is Kiotti Armstrong. He’s 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, and from Jasper, Texas. In the modern SEC, having a tight end who can actually block but also run a seam route is like having a cheat code. He’s a top-100 player who doesn't get as much "airtime" as the receivers, but he might be the most "pro-ready" guy in the bunch.

Actionable Insights for Aggie Fans

So, what should you actually look for as these guys arrive on campus?

  1. Watch the Midyear Enrollees: Most of this class—except for Jerome Myles, who is finishing up his rehab and school—enrolled in January. This is huge. It gives them a full spring ball to learn Collin Klein’s offense or Elko’s defensive schemes.
  2. The "Transfer Portal" Pivot: Even with a great high school class, Elko will still use the portal to fill specific holes (like veteran safety depth). Don't be surprised if the roster looks even different by August.
  3. Monitor the O-Line Progress: If Lamont Rogers and Nelson McGuire are getting "buzz" during spring camp, it’s a very good sign for the program's trajectory.

The Texas A&M 2025 recruiting class represents the first real "Elko Class." It’s a group built on length, speed, and a desperate need to fix the line of scrimmage. It might not have the "No. 1 overall" tag, but it feels a lot more like a football team than a collection of talent.

Keep an eye on the spring game in April. That’ll be the first time we see if this blueprint actually translates to the grass. Given the way Elko has revitalized the culture in College Station, the odds are looking better than they have in a long time.

Stay tuned to local sources like TexAgs or the 12th Man's official signing day trackers to see how the final few spots in the 2026 cycle start to take shape, as the momentum from this 2025 group is already bleeding into next year.