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Even Stewart was a five-star pass catcher in Texas A&M’s 2022 recruiting class. The cycle was the most highly touted in the history of the services, with the Aggies landing signatures from 12 of the nation’s top 55 players.
They were rumored to have paid a hefty price for that massive haul, too, with some message board ‘insiders’ claiming a $30 million tag.
That class included eight five-star prospects and 16 four-star contributors. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out.
The Aggies won just five games in 2022, and a number of those newcomers ran into off-the-field issues. Some opted to transfer, others were told to walk.
The next season wasn’t much better with Texas A&M finishing 7-5, leading coach Jimbo Fisher to be fired.
Stewart commented on a post referencing that firing while also noting the NIL narrative surrounding College Station.
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Hayes Fawcett posted a quote from Texas A&M defender Bobby Taylor, another member of that 2022 class, referencing the mass exodus of that cycle and the midseason firing of Fisher.
It got an immediate reaction from Stewart.
“I saw it coming freshman year,” the former top recruit responded to the post. “I didn’t get paid a dollar from A&M but ‘sliced bread’ had y’all thinking we was all millionaires.”
“Sliced Bread” being one of those online insiders pushing the $30 million rumor.
So, does that mean the payment for the 2022 class was a lie? Aggie fans would like to think so after battling these rumors for the better part of two mediocre seasons.
Or was Texas A&M deceptive in its NIL offerings once players got to campus?
Evan Stewart clarifies comment, bashes false narratives about Texas A&M.
With fans online reading into the statement, many believed Stewart was saying A&M didn’t live up to their end of the bargain. Judging by his most recent social media activity, though, it seems he meant quite the opposite.
Thank you man thank you
— 𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓷 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓽 (@0fficial_evan) December 4, 2023
Not many believe there wasn’t some sort of significant monetary benefit to joining that A&M class, including opposing SEC coaches like Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin’s been vocal about the Aggies suddenly signing the No. 1 class in the first season of NIL following an 8-4 campaign.
“Some people say certain things and it just cracks me up… When someone says NIL has nothing to do with someone signing the best class in the history of recruiting, I struggle with that statement.”
Considering the school just paid $75 million for their head coach to leave town, most wouldn’t put it past TAMU boosters to do whatever it takes to bring a winner to College Station.