Texas Rivals Score Major Recruiting Wins as Mark Matthews Picks Aggies, Brock Williams Chooses Longhorns

Texas A&M and Texas delivered a recruiting shockwave through the Lone Star State on Friday, landing two of the nation’s most coveted prospects in the 2027 class. The Aggies secured five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, while the Longhorns added top tight end Brock Williams, further heating up the storied rivalry and reshaping the future of both programs.

Matthews, ranked as ESPN’s No. 3 offensive tackle and the No. 11 overall prospect in the class of 2027, chose Texas A&M after a hard-fought battle with Miami. The commitment bolsters an Aggies offensive line group already trending upward in national rankings. Matthews’ decision underscores Texas A&M’s growing recruiting momentum under its current coaching regime, which has consistently prioritized elite trench talent.

• Mark Matthews: No. 3 offensive tackle, No. 11 overall prospect (ESPN 2027)
• Chose Texas A&M over Miami and other major programs

Earlier in the day, Texas notched a major victory of its own when Brock Williams, ESPN’s No. 2 tight end in the 2027 cycle, publicly committed to the Longhorns during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." Williams’ announcement continues a run of blue-chip additions for Texas, and he is expected to become a centerpiece in the Longhorns’ evolving offense. As one of the top-rated tight ends nationally, Williams brings size and versatility that should fit seamlessly into Texas’s system.

• Brock Williams: No. 2 tight end, ESPN 300 (2027)
• Committed live on "The Pat McAfee Show"

These parallel commitments highlight the escalating arms race between Texas and Texas A&M, as both programs continue to secure high-profile talent from the ESPN 300. The Aggies’ ability to win a contested battle for Matthews—especially over a national power like Miami—signals their intent to build dominance in the trenches. Meanwhile, Texas’s addition of Williams adds another dynamic weapon to an offense that has steadily improved with each recruiting class.

The timing of the announcements—both on the same Friday—further fuels the rivalry, as each fanbase celebrates a headline-grabbing recruiting victory. With Matthews and Williams now committed, all eyes turn to how these future stars will develop and impact their respective programs in the years ahead.