TAMU Scores Big With Four-Star Safety Chance Collins as 2025 Season Primetime Schedule Revealed

College Station, TX — Texas A&M just made a major statement in the recruiting world—and they did it with style, on a day already packed with anticipation for the Aggie faithful. Four-star safety Chance Collins, one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the 2025 class, announced his commitment to the Aggies, choosing Texas A&M over a long list of top-tier programs that included Alabama, LSU, and USC.

At 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 185 pounds, Collins is ranked among the top safeties in the country, praised for his high football IQ, exceptional closing speed, and instinctual playmaking ability in the secondary. Hailing from powerhouse DeSoto High School in Texas, Collins has been a difference-maker on the field, earning comparisons to some of the elite safeties who’ve gone on to star in the SEC and NFL.

“Texas A&M felt like home,” Collins said during his televised commitment ceremony. “The culture, the fan base, the coaching staff—everything just clicked for me. I believe in what they’re building, and I want to be part of something special.”

Collins is now the highest-rated defensive back in A&M’s 2025 class and becomes the latest big-time prospect to pledge his future to head coach Mike Elko, who continues to show that his recruiting momentum is only gaining steam. Elko’s ability to connect with high school stars and build trust with their families has been a key factor in Texas A&M’s recent recruiting surge.

This is a guy who changes the outlook of a defense,” said 247Sports analyst Charles Power. “Collins is a tone-setter. He reads the quarterback well, anticipates routes, and delivers punishing hits in run support. He’ll be a leader from day one.”

Texas A&M’s 2025 class is shaping up to be one of the best in the SEC, and the addition of Collins could serve as a domino effect, potentially influencing other elite prospects to join him in College Station. Several other top recruits—especially from Texas and the Southeast—have hinted at leaning toward A&M following Collins’ decision.

While the commitment of a blue-chip safety electrified the fan base, that wasn’t the only big news of the day in Aggieland. The program also released its 2025 football kickoff times, and it’s clear the Aggies are once again set for the national spotlight with multiple primetime matchups locked in.

Texas A&M’s 2025 football schedule is loaded with marquee matchups, and television networks have wasted no time assigning prime-time slots to several of the Aggies’ most anticipated games.

The opener against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on August 30 will air at 7:00 p.m. CT on ABC, a slot that has historically brought in massive national viewership numbers. It’s a matchup that could define the early College Football Playoff landscape, and with two national brands clashing under the lights, the scene promises to be electric.

Next up is a Week 2 road test at Florida, also a night game scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Gators and Aggies are expected to be major SEC contenders, making this early-season showdown crucial for conference positioning.

With five primetime games already set and more expected to be added later in the season through the flex scheduling process, the Aggies are poised to be one of the most visible teams in the nation during the 2025 campaign.

The combination of elite recruiting success and a primetime-heavy schedule signals that Texas A&M is in the thick of the national college football conversation. After years of knocking on the door, 2025 could be the year the Aggies finally push their way into the College Football Playoff.

Head coach Mike Elko, who took over in late 2023, has quickly turned the culture around in College Station. Known for his defensive mind and no-nonsense leadership style, Elko has brought stability, discipline, and a winning mentality back to the program.

“We’re not satisfied with being good,” Elko told reporters. “We’re aiming for greatness. Our fans, our players, our coaches—we’re all pulling in the same direction. And now with players like Chance [Collins] choosing to join us, we’re building something that will last.”