Examining the pluses and minuses of A&M's recruiting under Fisher
With Texas A&M turning the page to a new chapter, Jimbo Fisher leaves the program in a much better position than his predecessor on the recruiting trail. Still room for improvement, Fisher deserves credit for transforming the Aggies into a major attraction for top prospects.
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A&M signee Shadrach Banks shines in North Shore's win over Katy Tompkins
North Shore’s bid for a third consecutive state title is still alive after another big performance from Texas A&M signee Shadrach Banks vs. Katy Tompkins. TexAgs presents highlights of the Mustang’s 44-22 victory from Saturday afternoon.
Signing Day Report Card: Evaluating the 2021 Texas A&M recruiting class
With nearly all of the 2021 recruiting class inked, Billy Liucci takes an in-depth look at all the players signed, offers some position grades and looks ahead to what to expect in the 2022 class.
Games of Interest - Dec. 17-19
Signees Thurs. - Galena Park North Shore (11-0) vs Pearland Dawson (10-0), 7 p.m. at Webster's Challenger-Columbia Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - WR Shadrach Banks (Texas A&M), CB Denver Harris (2022), CB Jacoby Davis (2023), QB Dematrius Davis (Auburn), OL Jaeden Roberts Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/north-shore-vs-dawson-12-17-2020-700pm-football-challenger-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Thurs. - Richmond Foster (7-2) vs. Cedar Park (10-0), 7:30 p.m. at Waller's Waller ISD Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Reuben Fatheree (Texas A&M)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/cedar-park-vs-foster-12-17-2020-730pm-football-waller-isd-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Fri. - Miami (FL) Central (7-1) vs. Lake Minneola (11-1) - 6A Championships - 1 pm ET - RB Amari Daniels (Texas A&M), ATH Yulkeith Brown (Texas A&M), LB Terrence Lewis (Tennessee), QB Braden Davis (2022)Stream - https://fhsaa.boxcast.com/#/broadcasts/q0jvnikfars4quzowfbh?channel_id=vhlhvzxbguryburepez8 Fri. - DeSoto (8-1) vs. Rockwall (10-1), 7 p.m. at Prosper's Children's Health Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - DE Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), WR Johntay Cook (2023)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gamf84a95794f ($) Fri. - Katy (9-1) vs Houston Lamar (6-2), 7 p.m. at Katy's Rhodes Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - TE Fernando Garza (Texas A&M - injured), DE Malick Sylla (2022), DB Bobby Taylor (2022)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/lamar-vs-katy-12-18-2020-700pm-football-rhodes-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Fri. - Magnolia (10-1) vs. Frisco Lone Star (6-3), 7:30 p.m. at Corsicana's Tiger Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Matthew Wykoff (Texas A&M)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/frisco-lonestar-vs-magnolia-12-18-2020-730pm-football-tiger-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Sat. - Denton Guyer (8-2) vs Arlington (5-5), 3:15 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - QB Eli Stowers (Texas A&M), CB Deuce Harmon (Texas A&M - injured)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gam069b8c2a16 ($) Season CompleteFort Smith Northside (5-5) - Dreyden Norwood Fort Collins (CO) Fossil Ridge (3-3) - OL Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M - injured)Texarkana Pleasant Grove (9-4) - DL Marcus Burris (Texas A&M - injured), DE Landon Jackson (LSU - injured)La Porte (5-4) - DT Albert Regis (Texas A&M)Beggs (9-3) S Kendal Daniels (Texas A&M) Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian (7-3) - OL Remington Strickland (Texas A&M) Grandview (11-1) - ATH Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M - unsigned)Not playing this fallKaty Tompkins - DE Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M)Philadelphia (PA) Northeast - CB Tyreek Chappell (Texas A&M), DE Elijah Jeudy, DE Ken Talley (2022 - Penn State)Brooklyn (NY) Erasmus Hall - DE Jahzion Harris (Texas A&M) Prospects of Interest ThursdayLewisville (7-3) vs Arlington Martin (9-1), 7 p.m. at North Richland Hills' Birdville Fine Arts/Athletics Complex - 6A D1 Playoffs - WR Armani Winfield (2022), DE Ernest Cooper IV (2022)Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (9-1) vs. San Antonio Southside (9-1), 7 p.m. at San Antonio's Alamo Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Johnny Dickson (2022) FridayCy-Fair (10-1) vs Katy Tompkins (9-0), 6 p.m. at Katy's Legacy Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - RB LJ Johnson Jr, QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama)El Paso Burges (3-2) vs Wichita Falls Rider (8-2), 6:30 p.m. at Odessa's Ratliff Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - RB Tavorus Jones (2022) Allen (9-0) vs South Grand Prairie (7-2), 7 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Park - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Neto Umeozulu (2022)Klein Cain (7-2) vs. Spring Westfield (7-1), 7 p.m. at Spring's Planet Ford Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - RB Jaydon Blue (2022)Humble Atascocita (6-2) vs Pearland (8-2), 7 p.m. at Houston's Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Kameron Dewberry (2022), TE Landen King (Auburn)Katy Taylor (8-2) vs. Houston Heights (7-1), 7 p.m. at Houston's Delmar Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - OL Bryce Foster, OL Hayden Conner (Texas) Denton Ryan (10-0) vs College Station (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco's Waco ISD Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - CB Austin Jordan (2022), DT Bear Alexander (2022), LB Anthony Hill (2023), DE Ja'tavion Sanders (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall (10-0) vs Montgomery (8-3), 7 p.m. at Porter's Randall Reed Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - WR Chris Marshall (2022)Beaumont West Brook (5-5) vs Clear Falls (6-3), 7 p.m. at Galena Park's Galena Park ISD Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - S Bryce Anderson (2022 - LSU)Frisco (7-1) vs. South Oak Cliff (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dallas' Kincaide Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - OL Cole Hutson (2022) SaturdayDuncanville (7-1) vs. Dallas Skyline (5-4), 2 p.m. at Dallas' Kincaide Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Jaylen Early (2022), OL Cameron Williams (2022), DE Omari Abor (2022), OL Savion Byrd (Oklahoma), LB Kendrick Blackshire (Alabama) Season Complete Flower Mound Coram Deo (1-6) - DL Jadon Scarlett (2022)West Orange-Stark (8-1) - OL Demetrius Hunter (2022)El Campo (9-2) - RB Rueben Owens (2023)Spearman (11-2) - ATH Brenen Thompson (2022) Lexington (8-4) - S Jarred Kerr (2022)Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (8-1) - RB Emeka Megwa (2022)Plano John Paul II (3-4) - CB Terrance Brooks(2022)Argyle Liberty Christian (2-7) - ATH Cristian Driver (2022)Garland (5-4) - S Chace Biddle (2022), WR Jordan Hudson (2022 - Oklahoma) Frisco Liberty (6-5) - WR Evan Stewart (2022)The Woodlands (5-4) - LB Martrell Harris (2022 - injured)Dickinson (6-3) - OL PJ Williams (2022), TE Donovan Green (2022) Cypress Park (6-5) - LB Harold Perkins (2022)Wylie East (1-7) - DE Anthony James (2023)Humble Summer Creek (3-6) - OL Kelvin Banks (2022)Houston Clear Lake (2-6) - CB Julian Humphrey (2022)Walker (LA) (2-6) - WR Brian Thomas Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab (9-2) - S Jardin Gilbert Tallahassee (FL) St. John Paul II (5-4) - S Terrion Arnold Martin (TN) Westview (7-5) - QB Ty Simpson (2022)Edmond (OK) Deer Creek (4-6) - OL Jacob Sexton (2022)Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic (5-1) - DT Tywone Malone
Monday evening recruiting notes
Let's start with a quick reminder that there are 9 days until the early signing period begins - meaning coaching staffs across the country are getting ready to make their final pushes for their main targets. For you the reader, that means get ready for a wide array of information about kids coming from various outlets. Each analyst is going to have a certain twist on what's going on as it pertains to the program they're covering. As always, we will do our best to filter what's out there to present the full story the best we can from an A&M perspective. Now, on to what I have for today...- The recent news that Texas AD Chris Del Conte has been in touch with CyFair RB LJ Johnson Jr can be looked at in two ways, in my opinion. On one hand, that certainly seems like a last-second, desperation attempt to salvage a top target by trying to hide the fire that's going on behind the scenes. On the other hand, the 30,000-foot view of this recruitment is starting to seem like Johnson is looking for a reason to find a home in Austin, giving the Longhorns the benefit of the doubt more often than not. After making some calls today, I still don't think anything substantial has been decided by LJ in terms of destination or timing. I know it's been reported that he's going to wait until the second signing day, and while that certainly may hold true, I've also been told that isn't set in stone. In terms of his communication with the A&M staff, that hasn't slowed in any form or fashion. I know he had long talks with the Aggies over the course of the weekend, and I expect A&M to continue to make as big of a final push as possible. My gut has always said that A&M would win out and knowing some of what goes on behind the scenes, that feeling really hasn't deteriorated. In fact, one Houston source I spoke with today thinks A&M has been the pick for a little while, now. However, like many of you said on the thread from earlier today, the Aggies check every box that LJ has said he's looking for in a program. So, you have to wonder about what has kept the Longhorns hanging around this long considering the state of the program in Austin. TLDR: I'm still giving A&M the slightest of edges here, but Texas is right there and making this one tough to read. Unsure of when he signs. - I texted briefly again today with Ft Bend Christian OL Remington Strickland. It sounds like he's really starting to hone in on the decision-making process after having his season come to an end last Friday night. He told me today that he's begun to narrow things down, but he has not decided on a school or on a decision date just yet. I'll provide an update once he has a clearer picture of his next step. In my opinion, this one, much like Bryce Foster, is coming down to Oklahoma and Texas A&M. - Last week, I mentioned that DE Tunmise Adeleye could be looking at an announcement before the early signing day. I like where A&M is at heading into this week, but Florida and Alabama (led by friend and former teammate Jalen Milroe) haven't conceded anything just yet. Both the Gators and Crimson Tide remain optimistic based on what I heard from a couple of contacts in the region. Hopefully, I'll have some idea about what kind of timetable Tunmise is on at some point this week. - After checking around a little bit today, I do feel like Ole Miss is just a big of a threat to flip Lucedale (MS) DB MJ Daniels from Mississippi State as Texas A&M is. I still like A&M's chances, but Lane Kiffin and company have definitely made things interesting over the last few days. - With A&M vs Ole Miss canceled for the weekend, I'm making plans to go see 2022 Beaumont West Brook S Bryce Anderson's playoff game on Saturday against Pasadena Memorial. While he is still committed to LSU, he has been very open about his communication and relationship with the Texas A&M staff. In my last interview with Bryce, he mentioned Ish Aristide's name, and if you've been following A&M recruiting closely for the last 12 months, you know what kind of impact Ish has had on landing a few of the Aggies' biggest targets. The guy is a force on the recruiting front. - From one Bryce to another, I have not been told any new information regarding Katy Taylor OL Bryce Foster. I do want to remind ya'll though that he's not planning on announcing until Friday, December 18th, not Wednesday the 16th. -