Texas A&M GM Derek Miller discusses national recruiting strategy
In an interview with Rivals, Texas A&M GM Derek Miller discussed the program's national recruiting approach, including 18 out of state 2026 signees.
Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class was built on the national stage, headlined by landing a commitment from five-star California-based cornerback Brandon Arrington , who, before considering the Aggies, dreamed of playing for the USC Trojans. Within the 2026 cycle, three of the program's top-ranked signees were out-of-state recruits, including four-star wide receiver Aaron Gregory (Buford, Ga. ) and four-star defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Wright (Douglasville, Ga), who are both on track to earn key rotational spots after impressing the coaching staff so far this spring.
Other than five-star running back KJ Edwards, Texas A&M's focus on landing prospects outside of the Lone Star State was "by design," according to Texas A&M recruiting general manager Derek Miller, who spoke with Rivals' Adam Gorney this week. While recruiting the state is still the priority, Miller's national strategy has continued to pay off. “It all starts just with looking at year-over-year the NFL Draft numbers,” Derek Miller stated.
“If you take a five-year, a 10-year (approach) and what starts to come out from all the numbers is that Texas, Georgia, Florida, California reign supreme in terms of the amount of draft picks. Coach Mike Elko's focus on landing prospects with NFL potential led to a nation-high 13 players being invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine this offseason, and after five spring practices, several freshmen from the 2026 class have already shown immense promise. Still, in-state recruiting, given the NFL talent Texas continues to produce across the state, will continue to build out every future recruiting cycle, and in the 2026 class, Miller referenced four-star safety Chance Collins and four-star offensive lineman Nelson McGuire as two players expected to become future stars.
“We are blessed to be in one of the states that produces the most and has the most Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. You have to be thorough in-state. The evaluation process is constant.