Recruiting Country: The latest recruiting news surrounding the Maroon & White

TexAgs' recruiting analyst Ryan Brauninger joined TexAgs Radio on Wednesday morning for another edition of Recruiting Country, highlighting the latest news and notes from the recruiting trail surrounding Texas A&M.

Key notes from Recruiting Country

• Deondrae Riden‍‍ was one I had limited interaction with as I do with most DFW kids. I interviewed him once in town, and I didn't hit a record to start the interview. He gave me a good vibe that he liked A&M. Fast forward through the coaching change, they kept Tony Jerod-Eddie on the staff, and that helped. His dad told Jason Howell that keeping him would be huge.
   
• Tony has been killing it. He has helped A&M establish themselves in Dallas and on the defensive line. We have heard great things about Tony. That is encouraging for a first-year coach. It was similar to Elijah Robinson. 
   
• It's the organization of these visits. Kids are getting face time with Collin Klein, Trooper Taylor and Mike Elko. These are big gets as a staff. The staff is working to get their top guys are certain positions.
   
• Jason and I are in the middle of breaking down where we feel their big board sits. They are in a pretty good spot for their must-have recruiting battles. Today, nobody will care if the lead for Kiotti Armstrong‍ in March, but if he signs, you can say they got the ball rolling in spring.
   
• Riden is a sensational player. You can call him an every down back. I can see some Ben Malena. He is an underrated, shifty player. I think he is a better version of Ben. He has a chance to impact this team for multiple years, and he has a case to be the top back in Texas this year.
   
• It's massively important to recruit in DFW. That was one of those thing that Elko had to do. He had to mend relationships with TXHSFB coaches first. He has done that. They are spending time and resources in DFW. Now, you have to see it paying off. Riden and Kelvion Riggins‍ are influential kids in that area. That should go a long way.
   
• Riden was a feature player at DeSoto on one of the best high school football teams this state has ever seen. They blew the doors off of people. I believe they finished No. 3 in the MaxPrep's top schools in the nation. DeSoto has a long-standing history of sending guys to the next level. Their hit rate is pretty high.
   
• Mason Posa‍ in New Mexico is also a fantastic wrestler. He could have an Olympic wrestling future. It will be interesting to see how he balances that with football. With Poly and Noah Mikhail‍, those are two they have taken an interest in nationally. They have talented in-state players and have one committed in Riggins.
   
• They are doing a great job with a tight end in Kansas named Linkon Cure‍. This coaching staff has a background in different areas. They have done a good job of mapping out the entire country. We believe the vast majority will come from Texas. I think the in-state number will outweigh the out-of-state numbers.
   
• It will be interesting to see in Houston who gets the big pushes. They have a lot of offers out. With Deyjhon Pettaway‍ committed, Devin Sanchez‍ is committed to Ohio State, but he will get the full-court press.
   
• Caleb Chester‍ has an offer. So do Kade Phillips‍, Courtland Guillory‍ and Dorian Brew‍.
   
• At receiver, Kelshaun Johnson‍, Jacorey Watson‍, Tanook Hines‍, Quanell X Farrakhan Jr‍ and Andrew Marsh‍... Who will get the big nudge? The staff is still combing through the tape. There are more evaluations to do. 
   
• Maybe, you like a kid on tape, then you see him in person and watch him in the weight room, and you can go from liking him to loving him.
   
• Jacorey Watson, there is zero question about play-making ability. He has not played a lot of receiver due to team needs. He has played quarterback. Terrance Murphy was a quarterback in high school. That is not an eliminating factor, but you would like to see more receiver tape. The 7-on-7 and camp circuit will help.