2025 OL Jaelyne Matthews reacts to Texas A&M, talks recruitment

Texas A&M has been very active in the Northeast in recent cycles and continues to push further and further into states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, as the program’s recruiting footprint continues to grow nationally. The Aggies made a handful of early offers while in the area last week, including an especially notable offer to 2025 Tom Rivers (N.J) North offensive tackle Jaelyne Matthews.

“I was actually really happy about the offer,” he said. “You know, have to thank God for opening up the doors for this….So yeah, felt really good about that offer.”

The Aggies join Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and four others in pursuit of the 6-foot-6, 295 pound freshman. Matthews has yet to visit College Station but knows a bit about the program already and had glowing things to say of what the Aggies have to offer.

“I know of course they have an amazing program,” he said. “Amazing academics. I never really got to meet Coach Fisher yet but I know he’s a great guy from what people have told me.”

Though he doesn’t know any current players on the Aggies’ roster, Matthews knows a number of recruits the staff has offered in his region, like 2023 Oradell (N.J) Bergen Catholic four-star defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell, and other Northeast prospects the Aggies are in pursuit of. The freshman has only heard positive things about Texas A&M from his peers more familiar with the program.

“Just say the same thing I said about how the coaches are amazing,” he said. “Great academics and the football stadium and football facility is really cool…And it’s definitely something to check out.”

Matthews plans to make his first visit down to College Station this summer, likely for a camp, to get a better feeling of the program and see all that the program and city has to offer.

The freshman has made visits to just two schools to date, to Rutgers and Syracuse, two regional schools that have offered, but will look to see national programs that have offered or are monitoring this summer.

Outside of Texas A&M, Alabama, Michigan and Michigan State are among schools standing out to Matthews early on in the process. None of the three have yet to offer but have been monitoring the massive freshman. Matthews holds early offers from the likes of Georgia and Miami and has plans to visit both schools this offseason, in addition to his expected visit down to Texas A&M.

This offseason, Matthews is working to become a more complete player, looking to add some quickness and strength to his game.

“I’m trying to get my feet quicker,” he said. “Finish up my blocks a little more, get a little stronger of course. And that’s really it for this offseason.”

Just a freshman, Matthews is unranked in both the On3 Consensus and On300 rankings.