Well, looks like there’s another recruiting dogfight brewing in the CFB world. And let’s be real—flipping top targets has practically become a side hustle for the coaches. Just look at Deion Sanders, who lured away Julian Lewis from USC like a seasoned thief in the night. Now, LSU Tigers HC Brian Kelly and Texas A&M Aggies HC Mike Elko are gearing up for their own high-stakes tug-of-war over two blue-chip prospects. But who’s going to call dibs on them?
It’s not the first time Brian Kelly and Mike Elko are in a heated competition for top recruits, with four-star offensive lineman Lamar Brown catching their attention. Brown, who excelled in the 3A state shot put competition as a sophomore, is now a key target for both LSU and Texas A&M. The battle between the two schools has escalated, particularly as LSU is now a significant threat to lure away Aaron Gregory, the No. 8 receiver according to On3 Industry, from Texas A&M. While no official visit has been scheduled, Gregory has been expressing interest in visiting Baton Rouge.
Source: Imago
Look, Gregory, the No. 57 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, locked in his commitment to A&M last year, when he ranked 36. But with this latest buzz, LSU looks ready to swoop in and rip him away. Losing a multi-sport freak who torches the track too would be a significant blow for Texas A&M. Gregory showcased his skills at Augusta Christian in 2022, impacting both offense and defense. His potential flip to LSU could have a major impact on Texas A&M’s program.
But wait, Gregory is not the only one on the list…
The recruiting battle for four-star wide receiver Jabari Mack of New Orleans’ Destrehan High is intensifying as he climbs the 2026 rankings. Although the highly touted receiver fell out of the top 10 rankings last month, he’s now serious about his college choices, with four official visits planned for this summer. His first visit is to Ohio State on May 31, then Texas A&M on June 5, Texas on June 14, and finally LSU on June 21. This gives Brian Kelly and Mike Elko a shot, however, the Longhorns are setting a rapid pace. The only good news is that On3’s No. 11 receiver, already hit LSU, Texas, and A&M in the winter and will be back this spring. Now, there’s one major factor that can make LSU’s path easy.
Mike Elko’s Aggies’ past might affect their present
In his first year at Texas A&M, Mike Elko experienced a tumultuous ride. Stepping into Jimbo Fisher’s former position, which was already under intense pressure, Elko wasted no time and quickly made an impact. The Aggies went on a winning streak of seven games, with an impressive 5-0 record in the SEC. Despite their strong performance, their hopes of a national title remained just that – hopes.
Not dwelling on the past, CBS analyst Josh Pate redirected the focus to a broader topic – the limited number of Aggies selected for the NFL Combine. “I have noticed Texas A&M before you got here and including up until this point, never [have] been poor in recruiting rankings,” Pate said. He emphasized that while high rankings are important, they must translate into success in the NFL. Meanwhile, their in-state rivals Texas Longhorns, under Steve Sarkisian, showcased a significant amount of talent at the Combine, surpassing A&M in this regard.
But it’s not like Mike Elko is not overlooking the issue. He understands that A&M’s growth is not just about attracting top recruits, but also about developing them into professional players. Elko emphasized the importance of increasing the number of NFL-caliber players on the team to elevate the program saying, “When we talk about what we have to do to take this program over the curve, that’s exactly what it is. We have to have more NFL talent on the roster playing for us down the stretch.”
For now, A&M falls short in this aspect, with only three players, Nic Scourton, Shemar Turner, and Shemar Stewart, making it to the Combine. This is insufficient for a program aiming to rival the SEC’s top teams. And that’s really not appealing to the young players who are eagerly waiting to make an impact in college. Let’s see how Mike Elko tackles the situation and also successfully saves his players from LSU.
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