Texas A&M 4-Star RB Commit’s Weekend Visit to SEC Rival Sparks Recruiting Drama

When it comes to shaping the future of Texas A&M’s football program, the 2026 recruiting class is already turning heads—especially in the running back department. Two exceptional four-star talents, Jonathan Hatton and KJ Edwards, stand at the forefront, promising an electrifying era for the Aggies’ backfield. While Hatton has already made waves by closing his recruitment door earlier this summer, securing his place among over half of the team’s 27 commits, Edwards is stirring the pot with some intriguing developments. Having pledged to A&M over the Texas Longhorns, Edwards now finds himself in the crosshairs of LSU’s coach Brian Kelly, who’s been rolling out the red carpet these past months. Edwards’ upcoming visit to Baton Rouge during LSU’s Week 3 clash against Florida adds a twist to this recruitment saga. With Coach Mike Elko and running backs coach Trooper Taylor keeping close tabs and open lines of communication, all eyes are on whether Edwards will solidify his commitment on Early Signing Day come December 4. The buzz isn’t just hype—Rivals ranks Edwards 50th nationally, 4th among running backs, and 3rd in Texas itself. Trust me, this recruiting tale is far from over; it’s already shaping up to be a fascinating ride for Aggies fans and college football devotees alike. LEARN MORE

Texas A&M’s 2026 recruiting class features two of the top running back prospects in the cycle, as four-star Jonathan Hatton and four-star KJ Edwards represent the future Aggie backfield. Still, until both players sign with the program, this is all speculation. However, Hatton verbally shut down his recruitment earlier this summer, joining more than half of the Aggies’ 27 commitments in the cycle.

Edwards, who committed to the Aggies over the Texas Longhorns on June 17, is being heavily pursued by LSU coach Brian Kelly, which has been the case for the last couple of months, leading to the news that Edwards will visit Baton Rouge this weekend during the Tigers’ Week 3 home matchup against Florida.

During an interview with Rivals recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong, Edwards enjoyed his official LSU visit this summer, mainly due to the relationships and recruiting pitch that the Carthage (TX) standout is the only running back prospect the Tigers are pursuing, which is quite the sell for any player, especially hearing it from one of the top blue-blood programs in the country.

“Relationship is something I’m big on and although LSU came late they have been making up the best they can and showing the love to the family.”

Coach Mike Elko and running backs coach Trooper Taylor are well aware of the situation. They will continue to maintain a strong communication channel with Edwards and his family as they head into the coming months, still hoping to sign Edwards during Early Signing Day on December 4.

According to Rivals, KJ Edwards is the 50th-ranked prospect, the 4th-ranked running back, and the 3rd-ranked prospect in Texas.

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