Recruiting Battles: Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Texas A&M and Arkansas have been going toe-to-toe on the recruiting trail for ages. Jason Howell takes a look at some of the recruiting battles that color the teams' current rosters and high-profile struggles of the past.
Area Rundown: The latest recruiting news from Dallas-Fort Worth
The DFW Area is always one of the top priorities for the Aggies, and there is no shortage of big time prospects this year. As the season approaches, recruits are making decisions, trimming lists and taking visits, and there's news that not only impacts the Aggies but top programs around the country, as well.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
As we enter the heart of May, prospects across Texas are making pledges, de-committing and announcing their lists of top schools. Jason Howell took a look at all the latest in-state developments in this week's edition of Around Texas.
5 thoughts on the 2018 Texas Top 100 rankings
The rankings need a little adjustment and here are a few things that have been on my mind following the camp season (Under Armour, the Opening).1. Anthony Cook is my No. 1 cornerback - I have been the biggest advocate for Jalen Green being No. 1 and I love his size and overall athleticism. It is special and this does not change that. However, Anthony Cook is as good as it gets as a lockdown, man-to-man cover corner. His fluid hips allow him to twist and turn without losing a step and his long arms always seem to find their way in between his man and the ball. He is not without questions but there is no doubt he had one heck of a camp season and for his efforts he moves from No. 2 to No. 1 for me.2. Tommy Bush will make a move up the rankings - After what I saw in workouts, his test numbers, and his performances at camps I would say he has made a strong case to be considered a top 5 receiver. That is saying a lot considering the current top five is 1. Jalen Preston, 2. Al'vonte Woodard, 3. Montel Parker, 4. Joshua Moore, and 5. Brennan Eagles. Talk about a crowded and talented group. It is definitely deep, but Bush has made strides with his footwork and his ability to get in and out of his breaks has come a long way with his hard work. This will be one fun discussion during the ranking process.3. Keaontay Ingram making a move to No. 1 RB - This is one thought I have not had to wrestle with much. Ingram is the best feature back the state has produced in the 2018 class. He has the size and build to take the pounding of the SEC, he has that explosive power and balance, and he has a well-rounded game which will allow him to stay on the field regardless of the personnel package. 4. I am most intrigued by DeMarvion Overshown - I really wish I could have seen the Arp athlete over the last few months. He may be the guy I am most excited to see in person. I have my questions. How big is he really? Will he get too big for safety? Can he end up at LB? He is a bit of a mystery, but we also have a few answers like he will absolutely knock your block off. He has some great body control. There is a lot of length there. It is hard to say because I had a better feel for Justin Dunning at this time in the process but there are some similarities from a size and projection standpoint. I knew more about Dunning's athleticism and frame though. I saw him in person a few times by this point. However, Overshown seems to play with a harder edge. 5. From outside to in - The following are guys who will likely make a move from the outside the 100 to inside.LB Byron Hobbs, Fort Worth Eastern Hills - great upside with his length and athleticism LB DaShaun White, North Richland Hills Richland - hits a ton, and one of the best against the passTE Bralen Taylor, Cuero - he may be the best pure athlete at the position. Plus he has great size.OL Demarcus Marshall, Grand Prairie - really came on strong in the last month of camp season, an absolute mauler.Bonus Quick HittersS Leon O'Neal may still be underrated as the No. 2 safety in state and No. 17 in state. He's making a push for the top 10 in my mindLB Bumper Pool maintains his spot as the state's top LBIf I was looking to offer an OG I would offer OL Demarcus Marshall yesterdayKeondre Coburn had the most impressive set of 1-on-1 OL/DL reps I saw at any camp. He went against LSU 2019 commit Kardell Thomas at the Under Armour Camp in Houston and put him on the ground on one and countered him perfectly the next. Why is that so amazing? Thomas has been the most dominating OL I have seen at camps in a long long time. OL Darrell Simpson has worked his way back up my list. He has been lighter on his feet than I have seen him in the past.
UA Dallas: Recruiting news and notes, post-camp notes
We will have a few video interviews but here's a quick rundownHouston St. Pius X 2019 QB Grant Gunnell He went up to A&M on Thursday and plans to return on Wednesday. He said he's going to try and go up Friday but he's also trying to get to Oklahoma State and Arkansas Friday and Saturday.Texas A&M is establishing quite the connection with one brother Will Gunnell walking on and an older brother talking to Texas A&M about a GA position. Planning to release a top 7 this summer and he thinks A&M will be happy where they end up in that release.New Texas A&M offer and Richland LB DaShaun White He really enjoyed meeting coach Sumlin and coach Chavis and the visited surprised him in a good way.He likes that it's close to home but not too close, he also likes that it's in the SECHe has Oklahoma State coming up on the 15thHe said he liked A&M a lot as well as TCU and Ole Miss He wants to commit before his senior.Fort Worth Nolan Catholic 2019 LB/DE Nana Osafo-Mensah He really enjoyed the visit and liked watching film with the LBs before the scrimmage. He talked to coach Price a lot as well as coach Chavis.He feels a lot of schools are watching him at defensive end and today he checked in at 6-4, 217 and he spent the day with them.He said Texas A&M was definitely a top school. One thing he mentioned as a big plus was the business school He hopes to visit UCLA and USC and may get back to A&M for Friday Night Lights.Colleyville Heritage WR Kameron BrownHe just visited College Station yesterday and he loved watching practice. Watching coach Moorehead teach his guys technique was one thing that caught his attention while in town.Overall he loved coach Sumlin and the way he coaches. He wants to make a decision sometime in the summer.Dallas Bishop Dunne WR/ATH Marquez Beason He's not sure when he will visit but he was excited when he received the offer. He had an idea the Aggies were going to offer but he was still shockedHis only visits plans are to Nebraska on April 15 Dallas Bishop Dunne S Brian Williams He will be at the Nebraska spring game with Marquez Beason and he would like to visit Texas A&M and Texas. He is forming a good bond with coach Moorehead. He likes the fact A&M is in Texas and in the SECHe has not looked into new DB coach Ron Cooper but is looking forward to building the relationship there.Fort Worth Eastern Hills LB Byron HobbsHe will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he also plans to visit TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma.He looks forward to seeing the atmosphere surrounding Texas A&M when he's in town on Friday.He does have about 7 or 8 schools that stand out but he's keeping that a secret right now.Keller Central 2020 WR DJ Graham The Keller Central 2020 receiver was in College Station and said the facilities, players, and coaches really caught his attention. He likes the relationship coach Moorehead has with the receivers. He rated the visit a 10 because of the scrimmage, the big plays, the facilities, and how he was treated on his visit.Aledo 2020 WR Monterren Parks The Aledo 2020 receiver just visited Texas A&M yesterday and he described the visit as fun and a great experience. He liked how big it was and that it is in the SEC.Plano Prestonwood 2019 TE Austin StognerHe said he's been talking with coach Banks and he said the Aggies let him know they want to come out to practice and that they are watching. He will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he looks forward to checking out the campus and seeing how the coaches run practice.--More Recruiting Notes---Putnam City (OK) DE Ron Tatum said the Aggies have made a little bit of contact and he may be in College Station Friday for Friday Night LightsVerone McKinley III has not finalized his plans but do not be surrprised if he is in town on Thursday and goes to Friday Night Lights. He's trying to figure it all out but he wants to spend a day and go to classes and see what it's like to be an athlete at Texas A&M on his next visit.Erik Ezukanma said he will be in College Station for Friday Night Lights. Look for Jarell Cherry to be there too. RJ Mickens also confirmed his plans to attend FNL.Darrell Simpson was not sure if he would make it to Friday Night Lights and Alston Orji and Anfernee Orji cannot make it due to a track meet. Jalen Catalon mentioned he has been talking with coach Price and he plans to attend the A&M spring game---Post-Camp Notes---I'll admit it, I've been a bit down on Darrell Simpson, but he really looked good today. His footwork was very good and he handled some very good opponents in 1-on-1s. His size has always been a plus, but he has shown some nice improvements in his footwork and his overall flexibility.There's been some pretty negative evals thrown out there about LSU commit Chasen Hines but he had a very good day today and won the camp Lineman Challenge award. He has a very strong base and his strength has never been cause for worry, but today he moved a lot better.Consider me a big fan of Bossier City (LA) Parkway QB Justin Rogers. He threw a great ball whether he was throwing with or against the wind. He put the ball in some tight spaces and he was technically sound. He was my QB MVP. Now I say that and will quickly follow by saying Grant Gunnell more than held his own. He would have been my No. 2 QB performer on the day.2019 WR Kameron Brown continues to make the hard look easy. He is effortless out there and has some great body control. He's my favorite 2019 WR in Texas.I came away very impressed with the LBs today Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, Alston Orji, DaShaun White, 2019 Chance Cover, Byron Hobbs all had pretty solid days.Of course the DB group had a strong day too. It was pretty stacked with Caden Sterns, Verone McKinley, Gemon Green, German Green, Brian Williams, Jeremiah Lewis, and Jalen Catalon all had pretty strong performances. The length of the Green twins is hard to match, McKinley was in the hip pocket of receivers all day long, Lewis has a great sense of timing when he breaks on the ball, Caden Sterns covers so much ground, Brian Williams was as physical as it can get without pads, and Jalen Catalon gets up to high point the ball as well as anyone I've seen.That's all I've got. Watch out for some video interviews throughout the week.
