On Waddle, O'Neal, Ossai and more (Tuesday lunch)
I've talked to several folks now about the visits last weekend of Bellaire Episcopal WR Jaylen Waddle and CySprings S Leon O'Neal, and here's what I've got...For Waddle, the trip was a slam dunk, grand slam, touchdown. In other words, it couldn't have gone any better. A couple of times throughout the visit, he made it apparent to those in his inner circle and those around him that he felt like A&M was the place for him. He was hosted by Christian Kirk, a savvy move that paid off. Waddle got to pick Kirk's brain and see how he lived as a student-athlete at A&M. A source close to Waddle said he didn't know if he had ever heard him so excited, and that same source also pointed out that Waddle has now taken two official visits to Jimbo Fisher...that should say quite a bit about his affinity for the new head man in College Station. I'll also add that there's a lot of buzz amongst the group of commits about Waddle joining the fold. I was also told that Texas tried to push Waddle for a last official to which Jaylen amicably declined. Added: Waddle has pushed his signing day back to February. I'm told it's just to make sure he's given himself enough time to examine everything. Can't fault a kid or his leadership group for that.That same momentum can be attributed to the Aggies when it comes to getting Leon O'Neal back into the fold. While Leon has been a little more low key, I've been told a decision could be made sooner than previously anticipated. This coming weekend would be his last chance to official elsewhere before the oncoming Dead Period. Remember, Leon's plans are currently to sign in February. While it's not a done deal as of around noon today, there's talk that Leon could be back in Aggieland this weekend. Georgia, Clemson, and Oklahoma are still on the radar, but this feels like the M&W are pulling away and comfortably in the driver's seat to get Leon back in the fold. Then, there's this from Fast Houston...https://twitter.com/fast7v7/status/940655388546027520Terry Price and Jimbo Fisher are expected to meet with Oak Ridge DE Joseph Ossai tomorrow. With the buzz about Terry Price's retention, do not be surprised if Ossai is made privy to the future of his guy TP at that meeting. If/when that info is relayed, I was told the Ossai decision would happen "very soon". Therefore, barring a bizarre and unforeseen change of events, I wouldn't rule out the second commitment of the Jimbo Fisher era happening before you go to bed tomorrow night. I spoke briefly yesterday about the impact of the Darrell Dickey hire in terms of Grant Gunnell. Dickey has a very strong relationship with St Pius Head Coach Stephen Hill. Coach Dickey is in College Station today and is expected to be at St Pius tomorrow. Gunnell and his camp really like what Dickey has done at Memphis with Riley Ferguson and Paxton Lynch. The Houston Touchdown Club Player of the Year event happens tomorrow at the JW Marriott. The list of nominees should be well known names for those of you that follow recruiting. Here are a few...Offensive CyRanch OL Colten Blanton - A&MClear Brook WR - Caleb Chapman - A&MFt Bend Elkins OL Luke Matthews - A&MManvel WR Jalen Preston - A&MFt Bend Ridge Point TE Mustapha Muhammad - MichiganCrosby RB Craig Williams - BaylorDefensiveOak Ridge DE Joseph Ossai Ft Bend Ridge Point LB Chad Bailey - MissouriSpring Westfield DT Keondre Coburn - TexasKaty DT Moro Ojomo ...I think you'll see some members of the Aggie staff in attendance as well. It's very common for college coaches to attend the event.
Primer: The Opening Regional - Dallas - Sunday, March 5
Sunday prospects from across the region will make their way to the Star in Frisco, Texas for the Opening regional in Dallas. The competition will be fierce and several key Texas A&M targets are expected to be in attendance.Below are the guys Texas A&M has offeredQB Roschon Johnson, Port Neches-Groves (2019) - One of the top prospects in 2019. A&M offered first and he has since added Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, and Penn State to name a few. RB Keaontay Ingram, Carthage - he's giving the Aggies a serious look. WR Jaquayln Crawford, Rockdale - The Aggies are working him hard since extending a recent offer.WR Erik Ezukanma, Keller Timber Creek - Early offer and the Aggies are high on his list.WR CJ Moore, Tulsa (OK) Union - very early offer by the Aggies, and he has become a national recruitWR Marquez Beason, Dallas Bishop Dunne (2019) - plans to visit Texas A&M soon, adding offers left and rightWR Kameron Brown, Collleyville Heritage (2019) - son of Larry Brown has a playmaking rep of his own and a ton of scholarship offers.He is my No. 1 WR in Texas for the 2019 class.WR Arjei Henderson, Fort Bend Travis (2019) - committed early to OklahomaWR Jordan Whittington, Cuero (2019) - it's early and he has a ton of offers. He's visited B/CS a few times. May just be the best overall prospect in Texas for 2019.OL Chasen Hines, Marshall - he has the Aggies in his top five, the school to watch remains LSUOL Darrell Simpson, Justin Northwest - Texas A&M is in the runningLB Alston Orji, Rockwall - the Aggies are in the mixLB Bumper Pool, Lucas Lovejoy - committed early to childhood favorite ArkansasCB Verone McKinley III, Hebron - I've already said I think he commits to Texas A&M at the end of the dayS DeMarvion Overshown, Arp - recent offer, has talked of visitingS Atanza 'AT' Vongor, South Grand Prairie - narrowed his list to Texas, TCU, and BaylorA few other top offensive prospectQB Tanner Mordecai, Waco Midway - No. 3 QB in the state by TexAgs, 4-star QB with offers from Baylor, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Northwestern.QB Zadock Dinklemann, Somerset - former LSU commit, prototypical pocket QB, big arm and great size. Ranked the No. 2 QB in the state by TexAgsQB Jalen Mayden, Sachse - four-star dual threat QB with offers from across the country. QB Grant Tisdale, Allen (2019) - split time in 2016, big time buzz already surrounding this polished passerQB John Stephen Jones, Highland Park - grandson of Jerry Jones and first QB to lead HP to a state title since Matt Stafford.RB Brock Sturges, Allen - the offers are beginning to roll in after a solid junior showing in his first season at Allen.RB Craig Williams, Crosby - he brings speed and quickness to the table. Offers are on the table from Baylor, Auburn, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and several othersRB Sarodorick Thompson, Carrollton Ranchview - big back with some speed of his ownRB Jase McClellan, Aledo (2020) - rushed for over 1500 yards and 20 TDs as a freshman, earned state title game offensive MVP honors, and has been offered by SMU RB Kaedric Cobbs, Melissa (2020) - 5-9, 195 and averaged over 10 ypc on his way to over 1200 yards and 16 TDsWR Drue Jackson, Sachse - 46 receptions for 652 yards and 6 TDs as a junior. He counts Texas Tech, Houston, Louisville, Iowa, and Colorado among his offers.WR Miles Battle, Cy Creek - long receiver, who attacks the ball. Body control is a big plus. He has been piling up the offers too with LSU and Ole Miss arriving in the last few weeks.WR Ke'von Ahmad, Colleyville Heritage - slowed by an injury last fall but had a big sophomore year and has offers from Baylor and Louisville.WR Quandree White, College Station - the versatile central Texas athlete will be working at WR on SundayWR Theo Wease, Allen (2019) - 2019 playmaker who recently committed to Oklahoma WR Trejan Bridges, Hebron (2019) - 4 offers are on the table for the 2019 and he is one smooth playmaker WR DJ Graham , Keller Central (2020) - 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, recorded 36 receptions for 527 yards and 3 TDs.TE Nic McTear, Frisco Heritage - committed early to Oklahoma State, but offers continue to arriveOL Rafiti Ghirmai, Frisco Wakeland - has absolutely exploded and become one of the state's hottest prospects since January. Alabama, LSU, and Georgia offered earlier this week. A&M is watching close.OL Casey Phillips, Franklin - another OL on A&M's radar. He's added some nice offers, and is one of the more versatile OLs in the state.OL Brey Walker, Moore (OK) Southmoore - the top prospect in Oklahoma, committed to OU. OL Keivan Myers, Dallas Bishop Dunne - 6-5, 330 and described as athletic. Yep, I'm interestedOL Ylijaah Hall, Bryan - big Centex OL is a guy the Aggies are watchingOL EJ Ndoma-Ogar, Allen (2019) - back from IMG, Ndoma-Ogar is one of the top OL prospects in Texas for 2019OL Brannon Brown, San Antonio O'Connor (2019) - holds a Texas Tech offer, had a big day at the Army Combine in San AntonioA few defensive prospects of noteDE Tyree Wilson, New London West Rusk - emerging DE prospect who I'm intrigued to see in person. 6-4, 225 and offers from ULL and Washington State.DE Ron Tatum, Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City - top defensive lineman in Oklahoma with top national offersDE Ochaun Mathis , Manor - committed early to TCU. 6-5, 230DT Scale Igiehon, Del Valle - big DT who can do damage in the middle, 6-2, 330, holds a Texas State offerDT Nelson Jenkins, Plaquemine (LA) - committed to LSU in February after decommitting from KansasDT Lloyd Murray, Wichita Falls Hirschi (2019) - very active and strong DT, announced his FSU commitment ThursdayLB Byron Hobbs, Fort Worth Eastern Hills - long and athletic, his tape is fun and he holds offers from Oklahoma State, OU, and Texas to name a fewLB Nicholas Bolton, Frisco Lone Star - one of my personal favorites, intrigued to see how he measuresLB Mykel Gates, Carthage - active LB and multi-year starter for state champion CarthageLB Brian Johnson, Manvel - one of the more athletic LBs in the stateLB Chance Cover, Trophy Club Byron Nelson (2019) - recorded 125 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 2 sacks as a sophomoreS Caden Sterns, Cibolo Steele - LSU commit, top 10 in the stateS Kolby Peel, College Station A&M Consolidated Central Texas standout we've always been high on at TexAgs. S Isaiah Humphries, Sachse - top 50 Texas talent, committed to Penn State commitDB Dayven Coleman, West Mesquite - 6-2, 200 and can play CB, S, and even roll down, Syracuse is his most recent offer.S Jalen Catalon, Mansfield Legacy (2019) - Clemson offered this week. He's a little small, but he's one of the best defenders in the state. Almost 200 tackles and 9 INTs as a sophomore. CB RJ Mickens, Southlake Carroll )2019) - the son of Ray Mickens, started at Southlake Carroll as a freshman last year and is already approaching double digit offers as a 2020 prospect.Quick Notes- Wide receiver is absolutely loaded. There are more prospects holding Texas A&M offers and there is a great combination of size, speed, quickness, and overall playmaking ability. I would give it the nod as the deepest position group of the camp.- The OL group is strong as well. There's a lot of good depth there too. I'm predicting Brey Walker as the OL MVP right now, but it would not surprise me if Rafiti Ghirmai or Casey Phillips came from out of the pack to claim the honors.- My early contenders for fastest man would be Mansfield WR Jackson Gleeson and Rockdale athlete Jaquayln Crawford. Both of those guys can flat out fly.- The defensive end group has the most guys I really want to watch. TCU commit Ochaun Mathis, East Texas sleeper Tyree Wilson, national recruit Ron Tatum, and Euless Trinity DE Izaih Filikitonga all bring some intrigue to the table for me. And I have never seen any of them in person.- The S group another very strong. From Overshown to Catalon there are some are playmakers big and small and everything in between.- Speaking of intriguing the prospect A&M has offered that I'm most excited to see in person is Overshown. I want to see how big he actually is, how he moves, and what that frame looks like. - the guy I most want to see in person that does not have an offer is LB Nicholas Bolton. I love his tape but I've heard he is on the shorter side which has some schools holding off. We'll see. because he has been a defensive playmaker at Lone Star.- One guy I loved on tape that I think could come out of nowhere to make a name for himself is Livingston's Christian Mitchell. He's small but he can flat out go and he will be a tough cover in one-on-ones. Check out his tape if you haven't already.
Notes & Quotes from potential offers at The Opening - Houston
We'll continue to have full articles on those with spoke to with offers throughout the rest of the week, but I wanted to do an update on the guys we spoke with that have visited and still sit squarely on the A&M radar. Houston Bellaire DT Jayden Peevy - Peevy is an impressive physical specimen. He's every bit of 6-6 and 290 pounds, and he's only played football for a year (basketball). He committed to Baylor on Monday, but the Ags are far from being out of the race. He told me he continues to hear from A&M and the Aggies will continue to evaluate him this spring and summer. When I asked what would happen if the Aggies do offer, he told me, "They would be my top school." Look for Peevy to get back to campus in the next couple weeks. Plano West LB Mohamed Sanogo - Brice wrote about the 6-2.5, 235 pound backer in his report so I'll just leave you with some quotes. Mohamed told me, "A&M and Texas are the two schools that really stand out to me even though they haven't offered. Friday Night Lights was cool. It impressed me more than I thought it would, especially from a facilities standpoint...they were the best I've seen." Sanogo said the A&M staff will be in Plano to see him workout twice this spring, with the second trip being made by John Chavis to see him workout. He told me Chavis is "a cool guy. I like how he's straight forward. I talked to Claude (George) and Otaro (Alaka) a lot about Chief. They love him." Beaumont Ozen RB Calvin Tyler - Tyler checked in a little smaller than expected, but the Golden Triangle back can really move. Brice saw him in 1-v-1's and came away with his speed and elusiveness. He recently released a new highlight tape on YouTube for those of you interested in his game. Calvin told me he continues to stay in touch with Clarence McKinney. He says their relationship is solid and that McKinney talks to him about a lot of stuff outside of football. He's continued to hear the Aggies only plan on signing one running back though. Tyler is hearing a lot from Michigan St, Oklahoma St, and Cal. He's doing his best to get back to A&M for the Spring Game this weekend. College Station CB Timarcus Davis - "I don't know how this just happened. I had no idea I was even close." That was Davis' line to me after finishing the camp with the highest SPARQ score. Of course, it helps when you jump 45+ inches (highest so far in the country) in the vertical. Timarcus is a shade under 6 foot and still a bit skinny, but he can play football. He competes bigger than his size because of his elite athleticism. He'll continue to be evaluated by the A&M staff this spring and summer, but his offer list is well into double digits already. I expect that to grow as camp reports start coming out. College Station QB Ty Brock - Ty attended Friday Night Lights and continues to build on his relationship with Noel and Taylor Mazzone. Coming off the broken leg that took away his junior season, Ty has impressed at every camp he's been to. On Sunday, he was one of the final 5 QB's selected to perform in the "best of" drills. I asked former Aggie QB Jerrod Johnson (who works as a QB coach for these camps) about Ty, and he said, "I love him. He's going to be really good. You can just tell he's missing the game reps. The ball came out of his hand today as good as anybody." It's still unclear whether the Ags will be taking another QB, but I'd bet Ty will be a heavy eval down the road. 2018 Crosby RB Craig Williams - They call him "Sqwirl" (yes, spelled like that) for a reason. He can really, really run. Williams ran a 4.38 on Sunday. His biggest issue is going to be his size. He's just a small framed, short kid. He'll grow some I'm sure, and that elite speed will undoubtedly keep him on the radar for an offer, but he doesn't fit the mold of your typical SEC back. Williams has visited campus a couple times and talks with Clarence McKinney. He told me he feels like A&M "could definitely be a place for me. I can see myself there." With teammate and friend Mannie Netherly already committed, it'll be interesting to see where the Aggies go with the young scat back. 2018 Allen RB Brock Sturges - Sturges' move from Seven Lakes to Allen is just starting to make the rounds and so is his game. He scored in the top 10 of the SPARQ ratings in Houston and measured in at an impressive 5-10, 192 pounds. He's sturdy and has an excellent feel for the game. He impressed catching balls out of the backfield. His biggest issue right now seems to be breakaway speed. His 10-20 splits are solid, but he doesn't have the speed to pull away from defenders yet. He's also coming off some ligament issues in his ankle that hampered him in his sophomore season. He was chosen as a RB finalist on Sunday. Word is that Arkansas has begun sniffing around, but Sturges remains on the Aggies big board as well. 2018 CyCreek WR Miles Battle - Outside of Brennan Eagles (who said he hasn't heard much yet from A&M), I thought Battle was the best looking 2018 receiving prospect in Houston Sunday. He's got long arms and legs but is a smooth route runner. He sort of reminds me of Josh Reynolds. Battle was at FNL and said, "I loved the atmosphere and the way the receivers were working...and the locker room, man it was nice." He also mentioned to me how he liked A&M's academic set up and counselor system. He's been talking with Jeff Banks who he called "a real cool guy." Perhaps the biggest revelation was the guy that brought him to A&M originally, teammate and 2017 stud OL Grayson Reed.
