4-star WR Kelshaun Johnson commits to Texas A&M: ‘It felt like home’

Houston (Texas) Hitchcock four-star wide receiver Kelshaun Johnson closely considered Arkansas and USC, but his decision came down to Texas and Texas A&M. Both Lone Star State schools received official visits from the 5-foot-11, 160-pound wideout on back-to-back weekends in June. 

Johnson, who has seen the Aggies three times, felt something different in College Station and had the SEC program on top heading into his officials. After completing his trips, he felt the same way and eventually committed to head coach Mike Elko and his staff. 

“When I first got there, it felt like home,” Johnson told On3. “The whole staff treated me, my mom and my sister like we belonged there. They really cared for not only me, but also my mom and my sister.” 

Johnson believes in Mike Elko

The culture and people at Texas A&M, along with the environment around the program, helped lift the Aggies over the Longhorns for Johnson. The No. 30 player in Texas liked the coaches and the opportunities to develop in both Austin and College Station, but felt more comfortable at Texas A&M. 

Johnson believes that Elko is someone who can turn the Aggies around and into one of the top college football programs in the country, which played a role in his decision. Texas A&M’s head man made a positive impression on him throughout his recruitment. 

“What I like about him is how he carries himself,” said Johnson, the No. 196 overall prospect and No. 21 wide receiver in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “When he was talking to me, I could tell that he genuinely cared for me. He knows what my goal is in life, to get to the next level. When I go there, he is going to push me to the maximum and that’s what I’m looking for in a coach. I want a coach who is going to give me their all and I am going to give them my all to get to the next level.

Two other Texas A&M coaches played a big role in Johnson’s commitment

Elko was not the only coach who played a big part in Johnson pledging to Texas A&M. The four-star also grew close with offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Collin Klein and co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins. 

Johnson first met Klein when the Aggies assistant visited his high school. They spoke for two hours and the talented wide receiver felt that Klein made a strong first impression on him. 

Before coming to Texas A&M, Klein served in the same role at Kansas State. He was able to lead multiple Wildcats offenses to success, which is something that stood out to Johnson. 

“Coach Klein gets the receivers open and will move you inside, then outside,” Johnson said. “He’s creative. He knows what he’s doing and he’s genuine. When we were looking at plays, I was like, ‘Okay, this makes sense.’ He will get the wide receivers open. He knows how to read defenses really well to get the wide receivers open and get the ball to the playmakers.” 

Johnson is also confident that Wiggins can elevate his game to another level. He previously coached wide receivers at Alabama and mentored wideouts such as DeVonta Smith and Jameson Williams, who are players that Johnson sees himself in. 

“He has coached players that are similar to me,” Johnson said. “Looking at all the people who he has developed, they remind me of myself. I feel like I have parts of all of them in my game, so I was like, ‘Okay, he’s recruiting me because I’m similar to them.’ He wants the best for me… I want to be coached by the best and so, I think he can definitely get me to the league.”