Mike Elko’s defense just got some great news as Texas A&M’s top-rated junior college signee has made the grades to enroll in College Station.

That’s the word from Elijah Blades, the nation’s No. 1 ranked cornerback in the 2019 recruiting cycle. The Pasadena native just finished up his academic requirements at Arizona Western College and is now cleared to enroll at Texas A&M. Blades signed with the Aggies during the Early Signing Period over offers from Oregon, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas among many others.

There may not have been a better class of defensive backs signed by any other program in the 2019 recruiting cycle than the one landed by Texas A&M as Blades was joined by four-star recruits Brian Williams, Demani Richardson and Erick Young. Clearly, the four elite prospects were pitched the opportunity to come in and play quickly in College Station.

Last season, the Aggies finished ranked No. 68 in the nation in passing defense efficiency according to S&P+, which was the second lowest ranking for a defense that finished in the top 25 in S&P+ total defensive efficiency. Mike Elko’s unit finished as one of the best rushing defenses in the nation but to take the next step, the Aggies are going to need players like Blades to come in and ready to compete.

Obviously, that starts with getting his academics in order, which is something he was happy to update on Friday.

“Accepted into tamu,” Blades tweeted on Friday.

Now the big question is how soon can Blades come in and compete on the field? He has the talent to get it done and considering he is coming from junior college while the rest of the Aggies’ defensive back signees are all coming from the high school ranks, he’ll likely be expected to see the field sooner rather than later in College Station.