**Texas Longhorns Targeting High-Profile Texas A\&M Commit in Heated Recruiting Battle*
*May 10, 2025 — Austin, Texas*
The recruiting rivalry between Texas and Texas A\&M has never lacked intensity, but the stakes have been raised in recent weeks as the Texas Longhorns have made a bold move: they are now actively targeting one of the crown jewels of Texas A\&M’s 2025 recruiting class — five-star defensive lineman Elijah Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound monster in the trenches out of North Shore High School in Houston, has been committed to the Aggies since last fall. He’s long been seen as a foundational piece of Mike Elko’s rebuild in College Station, with his rare combination of size, quickness, and power drawing comparisons to NFL talents. However, sources close to both programs confirm that Texas is making a strong push to flip the elite prospect — and there’s growing belief that Rodriguez is at least listening.
**A New Recruiting Dynamic in the SEC Era**
With both schools now members of the SEC, the battle for top talent in Texas has become more critical than ever. The Longhorns, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, have built strong momentum on the recruiting trail following a successful 2024 campaign and a College Football Playoff appearance. Sarkisian’s staff has doubled down on their efforts to lock down the state’s elite talent — and flipping Rodriguez would send a loud message across the SEC and beyond.
Rodriguez, who recently visited Austin for the Longhorns’ spring game in April, was seen spending significant time with defensive line coach Bo Davis and current Texas commit Zayden Walker, a top-100 edge rusher from DeSoto. Multiple sources described the visit as “eye-opening” for Rodriguez, who is intrigued by the Longhorns’ recent development of defensive talent and the opportunity to play early in an ascending program.
“He was blown away by the atmosphere,” said a recruiting analyst with ties to the North Shore program. “Texas rolled out the red carpet, and he’s built a great relationship with Bo Davis. Don’t count them out.”
**Texas A\&M Fighting to Hold the Line**
Texas A\&M is not sitting idly by. The Aggies have been in near-daily contact with Rodriguez and his family since rumors of Texas’ interest gained traction. Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson and head coach Mike Elko have made Rodriguez’s retention a top priority, emphasizing both loyalty and the chance to lead a deep, talented defensive front that already includes four blue-chip commits.
“Elijah’s a game-changer — we’re building around guys like him,” Elko said during a recent radio interview. “He’s the kind of leader we want in College Station.”
A\&M has also reminded Rodriguez of their strong NIL infrastructure, their track record of defensive line development, and the opportunity to play in front of his hometown fans, as College Station is only a couple hours from Houston.
**Rodriguez Staying Quiet — for Now**
So far, Rodriguez has declined to publicly comment on the speculation, but those close to his recruitment say he’s “open” to hearing from other programs as he approaches official visit season. Alongside Texas, LSU and Oregon have also expressed interest in the five-star lineman, though Texas is viewed as the primary threat to flip his commitment.
“Elijah is taking a mature approach,” said one source. “He committed early because he felt a strong connection to A\&M, but he’s smart enough to do his due diligence now that things are changing quickly — especially with the NIL landscape and the SEC competition heating up.”
**What’s at Stake**
For Texas, flipping Rodriguez would not only bolster an already top-five 2025 recruiting class, it would also deliver a psychological blow to their in-state rivals — one that could reverberate across the region. For A\&M, holding onto Rodriguez would reinforce their ability to retain elite talent in the face of fierce competition.
The Longhorns and Aggies won’t meet on the field until November 29 in College Station, but their battle off the field is already underway — and the fight for Elijah Rodriguez could be one of the defining recruiting stories of the cycle.
**What’s Next**
Rodriguez is expected to take official visits in June, with both Texas and Texas A\&M lined up for visits within weeks of each other. While a decision isn’t imminent, a flip — or reaffirmation — could come before the start of his senior season.
In the ever-intensifying arms race for elite talent in the SEC, one thing is clear: no commit is ever truly off-limits, and in the case of Elijah Rodriguez, the war between
Texas and Texas A\&M is just heating up.
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