Standing in front of raucous teammates in Arlington Martin's weight room, senior defensive end Myles Garrett sheepishly gave an announcement that several elite college programs around the country were waiting for.
To no one's surprise, Garrett chose Texas A&M.
"It feels great for it to finally be over," he told Rivals.com's Fletcher Whiteley. "It's off my chest now."
Garrett (6-5, 245) picked the Aggies over Alabama, TCU, Florida State, Ohio State and others. Texas A&M wooed him heavily over the past six weeks; On Sept. 12, two days before its game against Alabama, Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin made news while visiting Garrett during a Thursday-night game against South Grand Prairie - circling the stadium in the Aggie's "Swagcopter."
Additionally, Garrett's older sister, Brea, is a junior on the Texas A&M track and field team. Brea Garrett was a track star at Martin, winning state titles in shot put and the 100-meter hurdles.
TCU had reportedly moved up as a strong contender for Garrett in recent weeks. TCU defensive end Devonte Fields - last season's Big XII defensive player of the year as a true freshman - and running back Kyle Hicks were former teammates of Garrett's at Martin.
Arlington Martin coach Bob Wager called Garrett "close to unblockable" thus far this season. He has 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 13 hurries and three forced fumbles.
"He's a freak," Martin coach Bob Wager said. "And he's not just a great player; he's a great kid."
Oral commitments are non-binding; the first day a football recruit from the Class of 2014 can sign a National Letter of Intent is Feb. 5, 2014.
