Notre Dame Commit Sends Stirring Message to Texas A&M, Sparking Speculation About Future Flip
College Station, TX — In a move that has left recruiting insiders buzzing, 2026 4-star wide receiver Malik Rivers, currently committed to Notre Dame, sent a heartfelt and unexpected message to the Texas A&M coaching staff, praising their program’s direction, culture, and player development under head coach Mike Elko.
Rivers, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound standout from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been on the radar of multiple top-tier programs since his breakout sophomore season. Though he pledged to Notre Dame in late 2024, his recent comments have reopened the conversation about whether his recruitment is truly closed.
“What you all are building in College Station is special,” Rivers said in a direct message to Aggie staff, later shared on X (formerly Twitter). “The discipline, the energy, the way y’all develop men on and off the field — it’s something every young athlete should admire. Y’all are doing it the right way. Much respect.”
While Rivers ended his message with a note of admiration rather than any commitment implications, Texas A&M fans and recruiting analysts immediately began speculating. The wideout had visited College Station unofficially back in April and was seen wearing Aggie gear during a 7-on-7 tournament last month, further fueling rumors.
Texas A&M wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins responded subtly on social media, posting a cryptic message: “ Some kids just get it.”
Recruiting analyst Evan Blount of 247Sports weighed in: “It’s rare for a committed player — especially to a program like Notre Dame — to openly praise another school’s staff like this unless there’s genuine interest. This doesn’t mean a flip is happening, but it absolutely keeps the door wide open.”
Rivers remains a prized target, and with the early signing period for 2026 still over a year away, anything can happen. As A&M continues to rise in both rankings and reputation under Elko, the Aggies may just find themselves back in the mix for one of the nation’s most polished young receivers.
Stay tuned — this recruitment might just be heating up.
