Las Vegas native Eric McFarland III plays high school football with national powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida.
On Sunday, McFarland, one of the top receivers in the class of 2027, made his college commitment in his hometown.
McFarland, a four-star recruit ranked as the nation’s 10th overall receiver in the class of 2027 by 247Sports, made his verbal commitment to Texas A&M while surrounded by hundreds friends and family at Legacy Traditional School in North Las Vegas.
“It definitely feels great,” said McFarland, who chose the Aggies over Florida and Georgia. “A lot of stress off the shoulders, a sigh of relief just knowing that I’m committed to a school now and I get to focus on them.”
McFarland attended third through eighth grade at the Legacy Traditional School before electing to play high school football at IMG Academy.
“It means a lot,” McFarland said of the support from Las Vegas and the local football scene. “I always rep 702 on my chain. A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, you’re from Florida?’ I’m from Las Vegas, 702 born and raised. I always want to just show love to the city.”
McFarland, listed at 5-foot-8 and 177 pounds, held 35 Division I offers and is ranked as the No. 66 overall class of 2027 recruit in the nation by 247sports. Earlier this year, McFarland reclassified from the class of 2028 to the class of 2027.
“It was definitely a long process,” McFarland said. “A lot of thought and consideration with it. I wanted to see the schools and map everything out. My ultimate decision was Texas A&M because I felt like that was going to be the school to put me in the best position possible to succeed at the highest level.
“So, why not put yourself in that position?”
McFarland visited Texas A&M on May 28, which was his final college visit, according to 247Sports, before his commitment.
“(The Texas A&M coaches were) just being real with me. I like that,” McFarland said. “They showed me my plan. That was a serious moment just seeing how the offense was used and how I could be used in the offense.”
McFarland is the second Las Vegas local to commit to Texas A&M. Arbor View three-star wide receiver Damani Warren, who was in attendance at McFarland’s commitment announcement, committed to Texas A&M on Friday.
Texas A&M’s 2027 recruiting class is the top recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports.
“It’s very exciting,” McFarland said of the talent coming to Texas A&M. “Especially Damani Warren, I’ve known him since I was a little kid, 8 years old. We grew up together. It’s just good to see another Vegas native do what they do best and be on the biggest platforms.”
As a sophomore last fall, McFarland was IMG Academy’s leading receiver, finishing with 595 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns on 29 catches, and threw a 57-yard touchdown pass. IMG Academy went 9-0 last season and finished ranked No. 7 nationally by MaxPreps.
“It was definitely great,” McFarland said the community and support of the Las Vegas football scene. “It’s always a blessing. At one point, I just have to separate yourself to be that dog and I had to do what I had to do.
“Our relationships are all strong. I connect with everybody here. I got love for my city.”
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
