Mike Elko has this 4-star recruit calling Texas A&M the place for SEC ‘dogs’ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Four-star edge rusher Kaden McCarty continues to stand out as one of the biggest commitments in Mike Elko’s 2027 recruiting class at Texas A&M Aggies. He originally committed to the Aggies on Dec. 8, and despite continued interest from several major programs, his commitment to Texas A&M appears stronger than ever.
Advertisement
McCarty has already shut down his recruitment process and is no longer entertaining other schools. He is also expected to make another trip to College Station later this month.
For McCarty, much of that loyalty comes from the culture that Elko and his staff have built within the Aggies’ program.
“It’s really coach Elko man,” McCarty said. “If you’re one of those dogs who thinks they can play SEC football and want to get better everyday, A&M is the school to be at.”
Texas A&M’s coaching staff played a major role in securing McCarty’s commitment, particularly co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson along with assistant defensive tackles coach Tony Jerod-Eddie. The Aggies ultimately beat out several notable programs for his pledge, including Texas, Baylor, Ole Miss, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Advertisement
Following McCarty’s commitment, he explained to Rivals reporter Sam Spiegelman why Texas A&M ultimately separated itself from the competition.
“After the first and second visits, I got to really talk to Coach Elko and the whole staff and they really expressed how much they wanted me,” McCarty said. “Coach (Jay) Bateman, Coach (Sean) Spencer and Coach Tony (Jerod-Eddie) all played roles. They just pushed the hardest and they know that I’m a family person, and they got the closest with my family.”
McCarty is the No. 9 edge rusher in the 2027 class and the No. 18 recruit in Texas, according to ESPN. He has also become one of the most vocal peer recruiters in the class, frequently interacting with other Texas A&M targets while also helping recruit prospects behind the scenes.
