If Mike Elko wants to translate the on-field success he had at Duke to Texas A&M, the best way to do that is to bring elite recruits to College Station.
Elko has just that type of player in four-star wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman, who chose the Aggies and signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday.
Bethel-Roman, from Missouri City, Texas, is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver. He’s ranked as the No. 27 wideout in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 24 recruit from the talent-laden state of Texas.
So what don’t the numbers alone tell you about Texas A&M’s newest commitment?
First, he’s a multi-sport star. He competes in track and field for his high school and has tremendous speed. Per a scout at 247Sports, that zip really translates onto the field.
“Easy long-strider who generates sneaky top-end speed that reflects track prowess. Exceptionally smooth in movement patterns with an ease of motion that belies quick-twitch redirecting ability and acceleration,” Gabe Brooks wrote of Bethel-Roman. “Dangerous in space thanks to combination of close-quarters agility and sudden linear explosion. Elite combine tester in agility categories (short shuttle, 3-cone).”
Bethel-Roman also boasts some NFL pedigree. His father is Mark Roman, who was drafted 34th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals as a defensive back out of LSU. Roman played in the NFL for 10 seasons and accumulated over 100 starts.
Bethel-Roman was previously committed to and signed with Arkansas, but after he asked out of his NLI due to a coaching change, the Aggies were finally able to swoop in.
Bethel-Roman caught 49 passes for 964 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior season at Ridge Point High School.
