Kaden Henderson, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 class in the Rivals Industry Ranking, committed to Texas A&M on Thursday. The Tampa Jesuit standout picked the Aggies over a final group that included Notre Dame and LSU, ending one of the biggest linebacker recruitments in the country and strengthening Texas A&M's hold on the No. 1 class nationally.
The Hurricanes once looked like a serious contender for Henderson, an elite in-state defender from one of the state's top high school programs. But Miami had already moved away from the recruitment before his commitment.
🚨BREAKING🚨 5-star LB Kaden Henderson has committed to Texas A&M👍
— Rivals (@Rivals) June 18, 2026
Henderson is the No. 1 LB in the 2027 class.
Read: https://t.co/KnUZfUwVOI pic.twitter.com/mkN39Sx3Ff
The best part for Miami: Henderson did not pick Notre Dame
The Irish had momentum in Henderson's recruitment at different points, and landing the top linebacker in the class would have made their already strong group look even better. Instead, the five-star defender is headed to College Station.
That is a relief for Miami fans who were watching the recruitment through the lens of recruiting rankings. Notre Dame entered Thursday at No. 3 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, directly behind No. 2 Miami. Henderson committing to the Irish could have closed that gap.
Texas A&M tightens grip on No. 1
The Aggies were already No. 1, and Henderson's decision only widens the gap.
Rivals ranks Texas A&M with the top-ranked 2027 class (five 5-stars, 10 four-stars and seven 3-stars). Miami is second with three 5-stars, 12 four-stars and four 3-stars. Notre Dame is third with two 5-stars, 12 four-stars and four 3-stars.
Texas A&M has five-star prospects such as offensive linemen Kennedy Brown and Mark Matthews, EDGE Zyron Forstall and safety Kamauri Dorsey in the Rivals system.
The Rivals Industry rating ranks Henderson No. 26 nationally, No. 1 at linebacker and No. 4 in Florida.
The Hurricanes still have one of the best classes in the country with five-star cornerback Donte Wright Jr., five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear and five-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant headlining the group.
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