Some defensive line recruiting notes
Terry Price rounded out his spring evals this week with a look at Arlington Lamar big man Bobby Brown (#14 overall in Texas). The Aggies, and many others, are eyeing the 6-4, 280 pounder as a dynamic inside presence. His speed and lateral quickness make him a nice inside target in a four man front, but that athleticism also means he could play end in a 3-4. Texas A&M remains a real player with Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas also being possibilities.In terms of top targets along the defensive front, after gathering intel over the spring, I think it lines up like this...DE1. Max Wright 2. Joseph Ossai 3. Vernon Jackson 4. Ochaun Mathis (no offer yet but being evaluated)DT1. Keondre Coburn 2. Bobby Brown 3. Calvin Avery 4. Tayland Humphrey Speaking of Wright, I'm told A&M has no intention of playing of playing him inside. Max is currently 265 pounds and impressed college coaches from multiple schools with his speed and athleticism this spring. He's underrated in that department. Lastly, here are some 2019 DE names we continue hear buzz about in terms of potential offers: Katy Taylor's Braedon Mowry, Ft Bend Ridge Point's Nelson Ceasar, and Hunstville's T'Vondre Sweat. Mowry and Ceasar are top 50 players in the state, and it won't be long before Sweat finds his way there as well. I've also heard some interesting things about A&M Consolidated DT Josh Ellison. I haven't seen a more explosive defensive tackle in the 2019 class, and college coaches are starting to figure that out.
Big Tuesday night recruiting roundup
As we mentioned earlier this week, the A&M coaching staff has hit the road for spring evaluations. We've started collecting feedback and have got a pretty extensive overview have how proceedings have gone here early on. Let's break it down by position. It's also worth noting that the Aggie coaching staff is still operating under the assumption that this year's class will be significantly smaller than last year's 27-man haul. To the point that Liucci, Howell and I are still comfortable saying 18 might be at the high end of the spectrum.QBWith Cade Fortin in the fold, the Aggies are seemingly done under center in the 2018 class. In 2019, the top target remains St Pius signal caller Grant Gunnell who will receive a lot of Maroon and White attention as he begins to narrow his focus. A&M is in a great spot here despite the nation's No. 1-ranked '19 passer having what could fairly be described an eye-opening visit to Nebraska this past weekend.RBIt's been well documented that the state is a tad thin at running back in 2018. Jeff Banks was by Austin Westlake to see Nakia Watson this week, and don't be surprised to see someone like Cedar Ridge's Simi Bakare emerge as an A&M target as Clarence McKinney made the rounds out there early this week and reportedly liked what he saw from the 6-0, 195-pounder. There's also a chance Terry Price will be through Allen next week to see Brock Sturges. Even with some uncertainty, it looks like the Aggies are still interested in taking a back in this class.WRNot much has changed here so far. The usual suspects are still there - Jalen Preston, Jaylen Waddle, Joshua Moore, Al'vonte Woodard (though I've heard he's bound for Austin), and Tommy Bush. I'd still expect A&M to push for two more to go along with commit Montel Parker. For now, Bush and Preston look like the Ags' best early bets. TETight end is an interesting spot. The number one target remains Mustapha Muhammad who stays in contact with A&M almost daily. However, the Aggies are fighting a tough battle and will have to show production from the TE position throughout the fall. As of now, it feels like Clemson and Michigan (Muhammad visited there over the weekend) have jumped to the forefront. From there, the Ags will give a few prospects some long looks. Keep an eye on Nic McTear and Bralen Taylor as in state offer possibilities, with McTear - an Oklahoma State commit - certain to get a hard look from Jeff Banks this spring. Banks will also check out the 6-7 Taylor, who was seen by Aaron Moorehead on Tuesday. While there, A-Mo also checked in on 2019 receiver offer and priority target Jordan Whittington. There's also a name surfacing out west in Ontario, CA pass catcher Michael Ezeike. He's got 10+ offers and fits the mold of that flex TE position. Banks will see the fast-rising West Coast standout at the start of May and an offer wouldn't surprise us one bit. During the Ags' two-day Central Texas blitz, Banks was also in San Antonio to see Clark big man Ben Sims.OLThere's been little movement on the 2018 OL front since the Ags grabbed commitments from two of the state's best in Luke Matthews and Colten Blanton. Ft Bend Marshall's Barton Clement and state top-25 taletn Darrell Simpson (the Ags recently made the towering tackle's top 8) remain on the in-state offer board. Turner will check in on both in coming weeks and could very well make a decision to push for one of the two highly-regarded blockers if and only if he likes what he sees. In Simpson, we're probably talking about a guy like Dan Moore who Jimmy T hopes to see a little more from when he lays eyes on the big man in person. There is some thought in Marshall that LSU commit Chasen Hines could wind up on the defensive interior before all is said and done. An interesting development to keep an eye on but Hines is currently solid to LSU. A&M also remains a legitimate player for Chasen Hines. The 340-pound earth-mover has been solid to the Tigers, but it hasn't stopped other schools from making overtures. A&M is right in that group. DLHere's another group where the names are pretty familiar. Top targets Max Wright, Joseph Ossai, and Keondre Coburn were all in Austin last weekend. There's been some murmurs about Texas making some in roads with Wright, and some of that is legitimate. However, I've still never gotten the impression from Max or those around him that Texas A&M wasn't his leader, even after the visit. There's a chance Max may have some future ties to the city of Austin, but as of now, I still favor the Aggies by some margin. I could say the same for Ossai as well who, from the info we've been given, came away from his second trip to the state capitol still leaning the way of the Maroon and White. As for Coburn, I'd say that one is truly a coin flip at the moment. We've heard Texas really put the pressure on last weekend. It's shaping up as one of 2018's most competitive (and important) Aggie/Longhorn showdowns. Despite strong ties to the Longhorns in the form of former Westfield head coach and current Herman's Hermit Corby Meekins, the Aggies are very much in the thick of things here and should be in it for the long haul.Be on the lookout for a list of top schools from Calvin Avery soon and expect the Ags to be one of the only in state schools to make the cut. More recently, Terry Price was in Manor to check out TCU DE commit Ochaun Mathis, and David Turner checked in at Converse Judson to see 2019 stud DeMarvin Leal. A&M is in a good spot there early on. LBNot much movement here so far. Alston Orji remains a key target, and Price was able to see Jeremy Fowler (younger brother of Erick) at Manor. There's also a thought the Aggies could remain in the hunt for Cibolo Steele defender and LSU commit Caden Sterns as an outside linebacker type (think Justin Dunning or 2017 OU signee and former Elkins star Kenneth Murray here). DBWith Yoakum's Jordan Moore committed, the Aggies look like they'll take a couple of more players in the defensive backfield in the 2018 haul. Ron Cooper has been busy early identifying guys he thinks would be good fits. He was in Rockdale to see Jaquayln Crawford (who despite not putting A&M in his list of top schools has been very responsive to the Aggies), and he stopped by Hempstead to see the fast rising Delarrin Turner-Yell. It wouldn't shock us to see an offer go out to Turner-Yell as a corner prospect. With Anthony Cook and Jalen Green likely to end up elsewhere, the Ags primary target has been Verone McKinley III. McKinley is still considered a heavy A&M lean and we'll see what happens once the new position coach visits with him in person and stops by Hebron to see the state top-25 talent this spring. Leon O'Neal was another priority target in Austin last weekend. After speaking with some folks, our recruiting team still feels comfortable calling the Aggies the leader for Leon. There's talk he could shut things down at the end of the spring. We'll monitor that as any decision would be big news for the Aggies or Longhorns and a big blow to the state power that finishes a frustrating second. STBanks checked out Lake Travis kicker Cameron Dicker on his Hill Country trip, and I'd also keep an eye on Katy's Seth Small, as the Ags are likely to offer a kicker in 2018. Both of those guys have big time legs and will soon hold plenty of Power 5 offers from around the country.
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.
