Texas A&M's 2026 defense gets an elite boost as prodigy Ava Sexton arrives early, ready to lead and dominate.
Texas A&M soccer continues to build toward the future, and the Aggies may have just landed one of their most important defensive pieces. Head coach Bobby Shuttleworth announced the addition of highly regarded prep standout Ava Sexton, who will join the program for the 2026 season after reclassifying to arrive a year earlier than originally planned.
The move signals both opportunity and confidence.
Sexton was initially slated for the 2027 class, but her accelerated timeline reflects her readiness to compete at the highest level of college soccer.
“She raises the standard of play around her,” Shuttleworth said, noting Sexton’s competitive edge, work ethic, and fit within the program both on and off the field.
A natural leader, Sexton brings a body of work that stacks up with the nation’s top defensive prospects. She recently earned an invitation to a U.S. Soccer Youth National Team ID Center, a key evaluation step for players on the national radar.
At the club level, she was named ECNL Texas All-Conference First Team in 2025 and previously competed in the ECNL National Selection Game, an honor reserved for elite performers.
Sexton has spent the last four years with Sting Soccer Club, where she currently serves as a captain for the Sting Royal ECNL team.
Under coach Ben Williams, her squads posted a dominant combined record and made a deep run into the national playoffs. Her leadership role at such a young age stands out just as much as her technical ability and defensive awareness.
Her development has been shaped by experience across multiple top-tier youth programs, including stints with CESA, DKSC, and FC Dallas, giving her exposure to different playing styles and high-level competition.
That versatility should translate well to the collegiate game, especially in the SEC.
At Southlake Carroll High School, Sexton has been a cornerstone for one of Texas’ most successful programs. A three-year letter winner, she’s helped guide the Dragons to an eye-popping record with minimal losses during her tenure.
Individually, she’s earned All-District honors in back-to-back seasons, progressing from honorable mention as a freshman to first-team recognition as a sophomore.
Just as impressive is her work in the classroom. Sexton has been named Academic All-District in consecutive years, reinforcing the well-rounded profile Texas A&M values in its student-athletes.
With Sexton arriving ahead of schedule, the Aggies add not only defensive depth but a player accustomed to leadership, pressure, and winning.
For a program with championship aspirations, this is the kind of early-building move that can pay dividends for years to come.