SEC defensive back prospect plays one HS game, reclassifies to join Texas A&M

Turns out, you can play a preseason game for your high school football team, leave, and enroll in college. That's what West Boca Raton (FL) safety Loia Valade did after transferring earlier this year from McCallie (TN). The 3-star prospect played one preseason game for the back-to-back state champio

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What is the story about?

Turns out, you can play a preseason game for your high school football team, leave, and enroll in college.

That's what West Boca Raton (FL) safety Loia Valade did after transferring earlier this year from McCallie (TN).

The 3-star prospect played one preseason game for the back-to-back state champions in Class 6A before deciding to head to College Station early to play for Texas A&M. The news was announced on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Carol City running back Arwin Jackson (1) stiff arms West Boca defensive back Loia Valade (9) on Aug. 14, 2026, in Boca Raton, FL.

Valade's decision to enroll early only bolstered Texas A&M's recruiting class, which ranks 10th in the country, according to 247Sports.

During his stop in Chattanooga with McCallie, Valade got snaps on both sides of the ball in his junior season. He finished with 21 tackles, 3 PBU and 2 INT in 12 games on defense,

while hauling in 29 passes for 456 yards and 5 TD on the offensive side.

Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC defensive back prospect plays one HS game, reclassifies to join Texas A&M