2026 4-star TE Caleb Tafua commits to Texas A&M: ‘That was where I needed to be’

Long Beach (Calif.) Lakewood four-star tight end Caleb Tafua released a top four of California, Texas A&M, USC and Washington on Dec. 11. He made this announcement after taking his first visit to the Aggies on Nov. 30 for their game against Texas. 

Tafua was told that he needed to see Texas A&M in person to fully experience the program and he noticed that it was “different” in College Station. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound recruit prayed and spoke with his family about his decision, but knew he wanted to commit to head coach Mike Elko and his staff after returning home. He made that feeling official on Saturday by announcing his pledge to Texas A&M. 

“It felt like that was where I needed to be,” Tafua told On3. “It’s where I felt everybody around me getting hyped up. I see myself in those stadiums and playing for A&M.”

Tafua shared that Washington was “up there” with the Aggies. Yet Texas A&M won out for him for multiple reasons. The environment at Kyle Field made a lasting impression on the No. 20 player in California. 

“I never witnessed anything like that,” said Tafua, the No. 217 overall prospect and No. 8 tight end in the 2026 On300. “The 12th Man is very different… It’s very different out there in Texas because the state of Texas is all about football.” 

Texas A&M’s coaches impressed Tafua

Tafua, who is planning to graduate early ahead of his college football career at Texas A&M, believes that he is going to “be prepared” for the SEC. The four-star likes how the conference is a “very different ballgame” and sees himself playing in the SEC. 

Elko also has Tafua excited about the opportunity to play at Texas A&M. The Aggies’ head man made a strong impression on him. 

“You can tell a difference in the program by how they play and him coming in for his first year and switching everything up,” Tafua said. “He was putting a lot of new pieces together because he was new at Texas A&M. He did a good job this season.”

Another Texas A&M staffer that Tafua has interacted with is offensive analyst Christian Ellsworth, who works with tight ends. Tafua and his parents spent time with Ellsworth when they were in College Station last month.

“He was telling me how they can use me,” Tafua said. “… He was telling me how he can develop me as a player.”