Entering this week, Texas A&M’s 2026 recruiting roster featured nine committed players, spearheaded by the promising four-star wide receiver Aaron Gregory, who is already catching eyes as a potential star. Yet, this period often sees some players reconsider their options, either because another college shows increased interest or simply due to a change of heart.
Just this Friday, one of the initial commits of the 2026 class, Markel Ford—a three-star safety hailing from Mequitte, Texas—decided to step back from his commitment to the Aggies. He joins the ranks of four-star tight end Xavier Tiller and three-star cornerback Ryan Gilbert, both of whom withdrew their commitments last month. Ford took to social media platform X to explain his decision:
“First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to God for blessing me with the talent and opportunities I’ve had, both on and off the field. I also want to thank my mom and family for the unwavering support and for always being there for me, no matter what,” Ford shared online.
“A special thank you goes to Coach Elko, Coach Bateman, Coach Ish, and the entire A&M coaching staff for welcoming me into the Aggie family and giving me the opportunity to be a part of something special.
After much thought, prayer, and reflection, I have decided to decommit from Texas A&M University. I believe it is in the best interest of my future to open up my recruitment once again.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this journey. I am excited for what the future holds.”
On the recruitment front, both Ford and Gilbert have drawn notable attention from Oklahoma. Andrew Hattersley from 247Sports notes that Oregon is also showing interest in Ford, who might have ranked higher if not for persistent injuries during his 2024 junior year.
During that year, Ford managed to rack up 45 tackles, achieved a tackle for a loss, and nabbed one interception.
As per 247Sports, Markel Ford currently holds the position of the 40th-ranked safety and is recognized as the 64th overall prospect in Texas.
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This article initially appeared on Aggies Wire: 2026 3-star safety Markel Ford has decommitted from Texas A&M.
