Texas A&M secured a major in-state recruiting victory over archrival Texas when highly touted linebacker DaQuives Beck announced his commitment to the Aggies on a humid Friday afternoon in July. Beck, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive phenom out of DeSoto High School, had long been the subject of an intense recruiting battle between the two flagship programs. His decision sent shockwaves through the Lone Star State and solidified A&M’s growing reputation as the defensive powerhouse of the SEC West.
In front of a crowd of teammates, coaches, and cameras in the DeSoto gym, Beck unzipped his jacket to reveal a maroon Texas A&M shirt. The crowd erupted. Reporters scrambled. For weeks, crystal balls and recruiting pundits had leaned toward the Longhorns. But Jimbo Fisher and his staff had been quietly laying the groundwork, forging a bond with Beck’s family, selling a vision of early playing time and NFL development, and reminding him of the long legacy of elite linebackers to come through College Station.
“This wasn’t just about football,” Beck said during his announcement. “It was about where I felt I could grow the most—as a player, as a student, and as a man. Coach Durkin and Coach Fisher made me feel like family. They didn’t promise me a starting job—they promised me a challenge. That’s what I want.”
Ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the state and a top-50 player nationally, Beck brings a violent burst off the edge, high-level football IQ, and sideline-to-sideline speed that has earned him comparisons to former Aggie great Von Miller. During his junior season, Beck racked up 112 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and seven sacks, leading DeSoto to a 6A Division II state title.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had made Beck a priority since his sophomore year, hosting him for multiple visits to Austin and even flying in defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to watch one of his spring practices. But insiders say Beck grew increasingly drawn to the blue-collar culture and defensive tradition of College Station.
“This one stings,” a Texas staffer admitted anonymously. “We felt good until the final week. But credit A&M—they outworked everyone on this one.”
With Beck’s commitment, Texas A&M jumps to No. 5 in the national recruiting rankings and solidifies its standing atop the in-state rankings, a symbolic win that could influence other elite Texas prospects still on the fence.
The ripple effects are already being felt. Four-star safety Terrence Wyatt, Beck’s teammate at DeSoto, hinted on social media that he was “thinking hard about joining the fam.” And defensive line target Marcus Billings, a Beaumont native, posted a maroon-and-white hourglass emoji shortly after Beck’s announcement.
For now, Texas A&M fans have every reason to celebrate. The Aggies didn’t just win a recruitment—they won a statement. DaQuives Beck is headed to College Station, and the message is clear: the Aggies are owning the trenches in Texas.
