Early Signing Day 2024: Texas A&M Football Signs IOL Isendre “Papa” Ahfua

Texas A&M Football Signs IOL Isendre “Papa” Ahfua on National Signing Day

Exemplifying the “coast to coast” character of this Texas A&M football class is big Isendre “Papa” Ahfua, an interior offensive lineman who has now signed with the Aggies. Ahfua, out of O’Dea High School in Seattle, Washington—and therefore a former teammate of current Aggie OL Mark Nabou—is maybe one of the most underrated members of the Aggie class, which is saying something given that he is already highly rated. Bringing pure power and college-ready size to the Aggies, Ahfua wouldn’t look out of place on an SEC line even as a senior in high school.

Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 285 LBs according to 247Sports, Ahfua already possesses prototypical size for an offensive guard. According to Brandon Huffman of 247Sports, Ahfua at one time was closer to 355 pounds before shedding the weight, which is absolutely astounding. I could see him pushing back up to a healthy 310, making him a huge load to deal with inside for opposing defensive tackles.  

Though playing his high school ball in the Seattle area, top national programs were all competing for Ahfua’s signature. Alabama and Miami both came on strong for him, as well as Washington and Utah—programs for whom the Pacific Northwest is more of a perennial recruiting ground. Obviously, though, Ahfua ended up rebuffing these programs in favor of signing with Texas A&M football.

Ahfua is a player that, though a bit raw technique-wise, could be in the mix sooner rather than later when it comes to the guard rotation, especially if Chase Bisontis does not return to Texas A&M football. It’s hard to ignore the size and power this guy plays with, and he’s going to be one of the top linemen in the conference—and therefore the nation—sooner rather than later. Major props to Elko and the staff for keeping this prospect in the boat, and I can’t wait to see what OL coach Adam Cushing can develop Ahfua into.