Sports

High School Football Star Bails On New Team After One Game To Cash Checks At Texas A&M

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Loia Valade reclassified to sign with Texas A&M.


Loia Valade is headed to Texas A&M after a surprise decision to reclassify. That move comes a few days after wrapping up his first game with a new high school football program.

The defensive back will not finish out the year with West Boca Raton. He will instead cash NIL paychecks in College Station.

Valade committed to the Aggies back in June, choosing the school over finalists Miami, Auburn, and Florida. He was set to begin his senior year this August. Now, he’ll bypass his final season to play in college.

Loia Valade is headed to Texas A&M.

He signed with the Aggies on Wednesday. He will enroll at the university soon and is expected to join the roster this fall.

In doing so, he will be eligible to cash in on his NIL value. While details of a deal are not public, it’s safe to assume he will be paid in College Station.

Texas A&M has been known to spend. They have the 11th-most expensive roster in college football this year. It just went up a touch more with Valade’s addition.

Valade is a three-star recruit initially in the 2027 cycle. Originally from Canada, he spent the majority of his high school football career at McCallie in Chattanooga. He transferred to West Boca Raton after his junior year.

Last week, the defender suited up for the Bulls in a preseason contest. It will be his only appearance with the program.

A few days after the game, he opted to leave the program. He has reclassified to join the 2026 recruiting class.

West Boca Raton is set to open its 2026 regular season on Friday against American Heritage. It now loses a top star on game week.

A path to early playing time could prove difficult for the soon-to-be freshman. Texas A&M signed five other defensive backs in its most recent class. Those players have gotten a headstart in terms of both playbook and the transition to college life.

That may ultimately lead to year on the bench. Loia Valade believes playing as a reserve with Texas A&M is more beneficial than finishing out his senior season.