(Saguaro's Christian Kirk is interviewed after selecting Texas A&M. Photo by Jose E. Garcia/aia365.com)

As he sped toward a kickoff return for a touchdown during his final high school game, Christian Kirk leaned forward like a sprinter at the end of a race as he reached the end zone during the first half of the Division III state championship game.

On Wednesday, Kirk crossed another finish line, allowing the highly touted wide receiver to finally exhale after an exhausting recruiting battle that Texas A&M won over Arizona State and UCLA. Kirk made it official as he donned a Texas A&M cap in front of friends, family and media in a room at the school where he flourished as an all-around threat, Saguaro.

The senior will graduate as the state’s all-time leader in big school touchdowns with 102, receptions (203), receiving yards (3,943) and receiving touchdowns (52). He also helped his team win three state championships.

Not only did Kirk develop into a nationally ranked top-30 recruit, Texas A&M also received a commitment from a respectful young man.

“That (numbers) doesn’t define Christian Kirk,” said Saguaro coach Jason Mohns before Kirk went to the podium. “He’s a great son. He’s a great grandson. He’s a great big brother. He’s a great teammate and a great friend.

“The one thing I know is that the school that is lucky enough to get his services today is not only getting a five star wide receiver, but more importantly they are getting a five star human being, and I am really proud of him.”

Kirk aspired to play in the Southeastern Conference, he said.

At Texas A&M, he'll team up with a former youth football teammate, quarterback Kyle Allen, arguably the nation's No. 1 rated quarterback when he attended Desert Mountain. Joining Allen was a factor but not the reason he chose Texas A&M, he said.

“Obviously, it was have been nice to stay at home,” he said. “I’m an independent kid. I don’t rely on my parents. I don’t rely on anybody else to give me anything. I love to work for what I want to get. And I believe that going to Texas A&M will be a great challenge for me to go and show people that I don’t need to be in the state of Arizona. I can compete against the best. I can play in the SEC and go accomplish the things that I want to.”