logo
'They see me fitting right in': 2026 4-star TE explains why he chose Texas A&M

'They see me fitting right in': 2026 4-star TE explains why he chose Texas A&M

USA Today2 days ago
On Friday afternoon, Texas A&M gained its 27th commit in the 2026 recruiting class, beating out Iowa State and Notre Dame for four-star tight end Evan Jacobson out of Waukee, Iowa, who plans to play football and basketball with the Aggies as soon as he makes his way to campus.
OC Collin Klein and TE coach Christian Ellsworth deserve a bulk of the credit for winning the battle over the last few weeks, as Klein's tight end-centric system, combined with Texas A&M basketball head coach Bucky McMillan's fast-pased, high scoring offense was too much to pass up, which he further explained during his recent interview with 247Sports' Dushawn London.
The SEC is considered the best conference in football, baseball, and basketball, and Jacobson, who could have easily chosen the simpler route of staying close to home and playing for the Cyclones, feels the Aggies offer him a chance to see the field and court by his second year on campus.
"It makes the most sense because the people, the players, the staff, and the schemes," Jacobson stated. "SEC football and basketball is where you want to be right now."
Notre Dame and Iowa State both secured tight end commitments in the 2026 cycle, while Jacobson now joins four-star Caleb Tafua and three-star athlete Kaeden Johnson, who will play tight end for the Aggies. Scheme-wise, Jacobson noted that he can "do it all," including blocking in the run game and pass protection, and should become a playmaker as a hybrid receiver once he gets through his freshman season.
On the court, Jacobson, whose brother, Michael Jacobson, was a star basketball player for Iowa State, feels that McMillan's high-tempo offense fits perfectly with his skillset as a shooter and defender.
"Coach McMillian likes how I stretch the floor, shoot, handle the ball, and play multiple positions," Jacobson stated. "They see me fitting right in."
Overall, this is a win-win for Texas A&M Athletics, bringing in a prospect with unlimited potential in both sports and joining at the cusp of what could be the start of greatness under two coaching staffs dedicated to building a winning program.
According to On3, Jacobson is currently positioned as the 14th-ranked tight end prospect in the 2026 cycle and the 3rd-ranked prospect in Iowa.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former Texas A&M OF Braden Montgomery promoted to AA after steady surge in A+ ball
Former Texas A&M OF Braden Montgomery promoted to AA after steady surge in A+ ball

USA Today

time33 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Former Texas A&M OF Braden Montgomery promoted to AA after steady surge in A+ ball

The Chicago White Sox are promoting Braden Montgomery to the Birmingham Barons (AA). Former Texas A&M outfielder and first-round pick Braden Montgomery is on the move, as the Chicago White Sox have promoted him to AA ball. MiLB Central announced that Montgomery was called up from the Winston-Salem Dash to the Birmingham Barons. The No. 26-ranked prospect has been remarkably consistent since joining the A+ Dash team and has flashed big-league potential in his 69 games played. He boasts a slash line of .260/.348/.445, with 38 RBIs and eight home runs. One area for improvement is his strikeout rate, which sits at 27.5% with 70 strikeouts. While it's not alarming, it is slightly higher than some other Top 100 outfielders, like Colt Emerson and Blake Mitchell, who hover in the low-to-mid 20% range. Still, Montgomery makes up for it with his on-base percentage and slugging ability as a switch-hitter. He's tallied 17 doubles and three triples among his 66 hits, making him a dangerous hitter with runners in scoring position. Below is the announcement via social media. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney chimes in on if Clemson or LSU is the real Death Valley
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney chimes in on if Clemson or LSU is the real Death Valley

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney chimes in on if Clemson or LSU is the real Death Valley

Dabo Swinney didn't dodge the question when asked on SportsCenter at ACC Media Days about the latest jab from LSU head coach Brian Kelly. With Clemson and LSU set to square off to begin the 2025 season, the long-running debate over which school owns the title of 'Death Valley' has once again taken center stage. 'Well, I think, first of all, both programs are for real. These are two great programs. We've met a couple times over the years. Great respect for LSU,' Swinney said. 'But I think if you just Google Coach McMillian, who was the head coach at PC — you can go and do that research on your own. But all that matters is how we handle our business in Clemson, South Carolina, on August 30th. So, that's our focus. But that stuff is historical facts, so I'll let you do the research on that. You can report back. I'll be tuned in for your report. You have a homework assignment.' Swinney was referring to Lonnie McMillian, the former head coach at Presbyterian College, who famously dubbed Clemson's Memorial Stadium 'Death Valley' after a 76-0 loss to the Tigers in 1945. Each time his team made the trip to Clemson, McMillian would tell reporters, 'I'm taking my boys to Death Valley.' The nickname stuck, and the media ran with it. By the mid-1940s, Clemson had fully adopted the label. Meanwhile, LSU didn't begin calling Tiger Stadium 'Death Valley' until 1959, and the name didn't really gain national recognition until several decades later. Clemson and Presbyterian opened every season from 1930 to 1957, giving McMillian plenty of opportunities to use the now-famous phrase. Over time, it became a staple of Clemson football tradition. Now, with both programs ranked among the sport's elite, the debate over which Death Valley is the 'real' one has added fuel ahead of their highly anticipated matchup. That answer might become a little clearer on August 30, when LSU makes the trip to Memorial Stadium in Clemson to open the 2025 college football season. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

ESPN names Ohio State as a college basketball team that could 'make a jump' this season
ESPN names Ohio State as a college basketball team that could 'make a jump' this season

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

ESPN names Ohio State as a college basketball team that could 'make a jump' this season

We are all getting ready for the start of the college football season now just a little over a month away, but the college basketball season won't be too far behind. In fact, we're now within 100 days of the Ohio State basketball season, and ESPN took a big look at previewing hoops for 2025-2026 by looking at many different angles and storylines. One of the things Myron Metcalf and Jeff Borzello touched on was ten teams that "could make a jump" this coming season. And, if you are an Ohio State fan, then you have to like what the ESPN duo things of the Buckeyes this season because they were named as one of those ten teams. OSU was able to retain some key pieces of its core group, but outside of that, there's been a major overhaul of the guys suiting up in the scarlet and gray this season. The mix of old and new will have to come together for the Buckeyes to get back to the NCAA Tournament, but there's good reason to believe that it could happen. Here's what Borzello says about Ohio State this winter: "The Buckeyes showed flashes of their potential last season but couldn't quite string together a consistent run of form. With a terrific trio back in Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. -- plus the additions of Christoph Tilly and Brandon Noel up front -- Jake Diebler's team should find itself in the NCAA tournament." It sure seems like Ohio State hasn't had a shortage of talent over the last few years, but getting the team to come together and play as a team has been an issue that seems to be a problem in today's day and age of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness. Here's to hoping ESPN is right and that the Buckeyes make it back to meaningful games late and on into the postseason this basketball season. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store