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Elite running back KJ Edwards commits to Texas A&M

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•22 hours ago•

bykeeganpope

KJ Edwards 8 copy 1
KJ Edwards (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

Carthage (Texas) four-star running back KJ Edwards is staying home, just not at the exact school everyone thought it would be.

On Tuesday, Edwards spurned Texas — considered by many to be the leader in his recruitment — and committed to rival Texas A&M, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder had both in-state programs among his top schools, along with Alabama, Baylor, SMU and LSU.

He originally planned to commit August 2, but after his visit to College Station last weekend, he has decided to shut it down and commit to the Aggies.

“There is no telling where A&M can go under Coach Elko,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons in March. “They improved a lot this season. My connection with coach Troop (Trooper Taylor) is strong too. Both of them reach out to me and my family which is a big deal.”

In another interview with On3’s Steve Wiltfong after that trip, he broke down what stood out about the Aggies’ program: ”Just the overall genuine vibes the staff show to me and my family every time we step foot into Aggieland, we know we’re going to enjoy our day every single time. And the coaches just proving and showing how serious they are about me and letting me know I’m a game-changer and that’s what they need to win championships.”

Aggies getting one of the nation’s top backs with Edwards

Edwards is the No. 45 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 4 running back and the No. 6 recruit in the Lone Star State.

As a junior, he rushed for 1,789 yards and 23 TDs while averaging an eye-popping 12.6 yards per carry. He showed off his skills in the receiving game as well, adding 30 receptions for 383 yards and 3 TDs as Carthage won the Class 4A-Division II state title.

Over the course of his three-year career, Edwards has amassed more than 4,000 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns while averaging better than 11 yards per attempt.

He’s the 17th commitment for Elko and Co. this cycle, adding to a class that came into the day ranked No. 6 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Aggies now have four top-100 pledges with him, four-star wideout Aaron Gregory, No. 6 RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. and four-star cornerback Victor Singleton.