Texas A&M trending for 4-star DL DJ Sanders

The Mike Elko era is yet to get going on the gridiron, but Texas A&M recruiting is once again trending upward after a shaky stretch to end the 2024 cycle.

The Aggies’ class was ransacked, yet Elko and his new staff in College Station were still able to keep the SEC program inside the top 20 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Now, as the 2025 cycle is underway, A&M is looking to return closer to the top.

Three four-star prospects have committed to the Aggies this year — and a fourth could be on the way. A&M is now trending heavily for Bellville (Texas) four-star defensive lineman DJ Sanders, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder has had a relatively quiet recruitment thus far, but it looks to be an in-state battle for his pledge between A&M and the Texas Longhorns. Both staffs have kept consistent communication with Sanders and are vying for the rising lineman.

On Tuesday, On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman and Oklahoma recruiting insider Josh McCuistion each logged picks in the On3 RPM in favor of A&M landing Sanders’ commitment. The Aggies now have a 98.4% edge to bring in the Lone Star prospect.

“There’s a sense that the Aggies have created a strong foundation with the local blue-chipper,” Spiegelman wrote on Feb. 20.

Sanders is the No. 121 overall prospect and No. 14 DL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 22 player in Texas.

Aggies building in-state foundation to 2025 class

There’s never a shortage of top talent in Texas, and Elko is following suit by pushing hard for top in-state talent, as all four of A&M’s 2025 commits hail from Texas.

The Aggies picked up commitments on back-to-back days to round out January. First, Forney four-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins pledged, choosing A&M over Georgia and Tennessee. Katy Paetow four-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway committed 24 hours later and now headlines the quartet of pledges as the No. 150 recruit and No. 21 CB in the cycle.

“Coach Elko said I am by far and away the best DB they have watched in a while,” Pettaway told On3 after a visit to College Station. “He also told me that I can make an immediate impact in their program and I can lead A&M to something big in the future.”

Earlier this week, DeSoto four-star running back Deondrae “Tiger” Riden became the latest to commit to A&M, adding another top-200 prospect to the fold. He checks in as the No. 12 burner in 2025. Spring Legacy three-star interior offensive lineman Joshua Moses rounds out A&M’s class, as of Feb. 22.