Texas A&M Aggies land David Hicks, the No. 17 overall college football recruit in the ESPN 300

Texas A&M beat Oklahoma down the recruiting route on Wednesday when ESPN 300 defenseman David Hicks chose the Aggies over the Sooners.

Hicks is the No. 17 overall and the No. 3 recruit in the state of Texas. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman from Katy, Texas originally had his roster trimmed down to Alabama, Miami, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M before making the commitment.

Ultimately, the Aggies prevailed, adding one of the most desirable defensive prospects in the class.

“They have a really great coaching staff and I have a really great relationship with everyone on the staff,” Hicks told ESPN of Texas A&M. “They’ve been recruiting me since eighth grade and I’m able to stay close to home.”

The Aggies had gotten off to a slow start to the 2022 cycle after signing the No. 1 class in 2021. Before September, Jimbo Fisher and his staff had four ESPN 300 recruits. However, the staff put on a winning streak in September, landing No. 61 overall Bravion Rogers, No. 115 offensive lineman TJ Shanahan, and now Hicks.

The addition of Hicks to the class was a significant win for Fisher as there are now Texas A&M #1 and #3 recruits in the state of Texas along with linebacker Anthony Hill. It also means Fisher could beat Brent Venables and Oklahoma for an elite defensive end.

The Sooners’ staff have recruited Texas State very well this cycle, with quarterback Jackson Arnold, the No. 2 recruit in the state, receiver Jaquaize Pettaway, No. 7 in Texas, linebacker Samuel Omosigho and defensive end Colton Vasek. the Nos. 29 and 31 recruits in the state.

Fisher continues to ramp up defensive recruits as the staff signed 13 ESPN 300 defensive recruits in 2022, including five-star defensemen Walter Nolen, Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, Lebbeus Overton and Shemar Stewart.

Hicks is now the 13th ESPN 300 defenseman Texas A&M has landed in the last three recruiting grades.