Five-star linebacker Harold Perkins decommits from Texas A&M

May 2024 · 2 minute read

Five-star linebacker Harold Perkins, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2022 class, announced Monday that he has decommitted from Texas A&M.

Perkins, the No. 4 overall prospect in the country according to the 247Sports Composite Rating, announced his intentions on Instagram. He initially committed to the Aggies during the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 2 but maintained then that he intended to take visits to other campuses before February signing day.

Perkins said in his announcement that he’ll make a final decision on Feb. 2.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions to make, but I will be decommitting from Texas A&M and will announce my decision Feb. 2 at my school,” Perkins said in a statement.

Perkins recently took a visit to Florida, has an official visit to LSU on deck and in-home visits with both schools. He also told Rivals.com last week that he is considering a visit to Miami.

(Photo: Maria Lysaker / USA TODAY Sports)

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What does this mean for Texas A&M’s class?

Sam Khan Jr., senior writer: It’s never ideal to lose a five-star prospect, but A&M’s class was No. 1 in the country even before Perkins committed and it likely will remain at that spot with or without him. But Perkins is undoubtedly an exceptional talent and would have been a tremendous addition.

This news isn’t terribly surprising since he said he planned to take visits to other schools following his Jan. 2 commitment. Five-star recruitments are often filled with twists and turns and Perkins’ has been no different. It was always going to be a battle all the way down to Feb. 2.

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Who is the favorite to land Perkins now?

Khan Jr.: Keep an eye on LSU. Perkins is originally from Louisiana and has made no secret of his passion for his home state. He told The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder at the Under Armour game that he never expected to commit to Texas A&M because of those roots.

“I'm a big LSU fan,” Perkins said then. “I'm from New Orleans. It was kind of hard for me to go to A&M but it is what it is.”

Don't count out the Gators, either. He told Rivals last week that his Florida visit was “fire” and Miami is still in the mix, too.

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