Texas A&M Football’s 2026 Safety Target Jireh Edwards Climbs to Prestigious Five‑Star Status on ESPN 300, Now Ranked No. 24 in National Recruiting Class

Jireh Edwards, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound safety from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and a standout at St. Frances Academy, has officially ascended into five‑star territory on ESPN’s renowned ESPN 300 rankings, earning the No. 24 overall slot in the highly competitive Class of 2026. This elevation marks a major recruitment swing for the Texas A&M Aggies, who have been actively courting Edwards alongside other elite programs like Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, and Oregon .

ESPN analysts Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill lauded Edwards for his rare combination of elite size and speed. Consistently clocking 4.5-second 40-yard dash times, he combines rangy coverage ability with physical run-support prowess. Their report highlights, “He blends elite size with outstanding speed … also a physical presence against the run … versatile safety who can … match up in coverage and come downhill in the box.”

This ranking leap from four‑star to five‑star confirms that Edwards has officially joined the upper echelon of the class. On 247Sports’ Composite, he ranks No. 23 nationally and No. 2 among safeties. His on-field resume is equally impressive—third‑year junior year stats include 92 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles, earning him MaxPreps Junior All‑American honors .

ESPN also lists Edwards as the No. 2 safety in the 2026 class, and the No. 23 overall recruit, indicating strong national consensus on his standing . His presence at the Under Armour All‑America Game further reinforced his readiness for elite college competition .

Since Texas A&M offered him back in November 2022, Edwards has been heavily pursued. He officially visited College Station on June 13 before heading to Oregon on June 19. His announcement, scheduled for July 5, will determine whether the Aggies can land another top-tier addition to their already strong 2026 class .

The timing couldn’t be better for A&M. The Aggies have already secured commitments from five-star edge rusher Tristian Givens and five-star two-way athlete Brandon Arrington, both top‑60 ESPN 300 prospects, bolstering their No. 2 overall recruiting class. Adding Edwards would infuse the secondary with elite talent and size, complementing their recruiting momentum.

Athlon Sports echoed the national perspective, reporting Edwards’ elevation: “One of their targets recently bumped up from a four‑star to a five‑star on ESPN 300 … he’s now listed as the No. 24 recruit.” The article acknowledged A&M as a serious contender among his final five schools and noted ESPN rankings (No. 24 ESPN 300, No. 23 composite)

For Texas A&M fans, Edwards represents more than just another recruit; he’s potentially the highest‑rated safety in the program’s 2026 haul. His combination of elite athleticism and versatility across the secondary is exactly what coach Mike Elko emphasized in his early recruiting classes . If he flips to Aggieland, Edwards would join an imposing defensive core headed into the 2025 season, set to debut on August 30 against UTSA.

However, the recruitment narrative unfolded in Alabama’s favor when Edwards committed to the Crimson Tide on July 5, officially off the board for the Aggies . ESPN reported that he became Alabama’s top‑ranked class member (No. 23 ESPN 300), choosing the Tide over Auburn and Georgia. Sports Illustrated explained that despite A&M’s years-long interest, Alabama “swooped in nearly three years later … and won him over,” citing the Tide’s need for safety talent and Edwards’ fit with coach Kalen DeBoer’s staff .

Though Texas A&M ultimately missed on Edwards, his rise to five‑star status reflects both his elite potential and the high stakes of SEC recruiting battles. The Aggies have since turned attention to other defensive targets and remain among the nation’s top classes for 2026.

Key Takeaways:

• Jireh Edwards officially earned five‑star status, ranked No. 24 in ESPN 300, marking a major recruiting milestone .

• A physical, versatile safety, Edwards blends size, speed, and toughness, excelling in both coverage and run-support.

• He took official visits to both Texas A&M and Alabama; committed to Alabama on July 5, becoming the Tide’s top-class recruit.

• Texas A&M, currently holding the No. 2 recruiting class, remains aggressive in pursuing elite defensive talent.

While Edwards will suit up for Alabama, his dramatic rise in rankings highlights the fierce competition at the elite level—and Texas A&M’s long-standing efforts to secure top talent in the Class of 2026.