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

TexAgs' recruiting analyst Jason Howell joined TexAgs Live on Wednesday morning for another edition of Recruiting Country presented by American Momentum Bank, highlighting the latest news and notes from the recruiting trail surrounding Texas A&M.

Key notes from Recruiting Country

• I know we have talked about linebacker Calvin Thomas‍ at Cy Ranch, Conroe Oak Ridge WR/TE James Scott‍, Aaron Bradshaw‍, Donovan Webb‍ and a few other guys. One thing I know me and Brauny have talked about quite a bit is them continuing to dive in and evaluate and search for those guys that have those metrics and hit those benchmarks when it comes to height, weight and speed that we just saw at the NFL Combine. Collecting that data and trying to find guys that maybe they haven't hit on as much or reevaluate guys and get in on early on some guys that may be a little slept on. They have done a phenomenal job of doing that over the last couple of months, especially throughout this dead period.
   
• Earlier this week, Aljour Miles‍ from Kaufmann got a Texas A&M offer. He’s a big 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver. He had 1,400 yards last year. He’s a two-time all-district player. He has gotten down the road quite a bit with a few top schools and named a top-10 at the end of February. A&M, of course, is a school he really has been wanting, and he was really excited about receiving that offer. He is making plans for a visit to College Station. I expect A&M to be right in the thick of it. He said they didn’t make the top 10 when he released it because he didn't have an offer, but now that he has an offer, look for A&M to make an appearance somewhere in there among his top schools. He’s a big-bodied receiver and a guy that continues to have a phenomenal winter. He had a great Under Armour camp to go along with his fall.
   
• You have top-notch talents in guys like Aaron Gregory‍ and Trashawn Ruffin‍. They are guys that are the best in the country and at the top of their state. North Carolina is really coming after Ruffin. Bill Belichick will make a push. He is going to visit in March, and then he is going to turn around and will go back for an official at the end of June. Ruffin has also been very locked in with A&M and very upfront and open with other colleges.
   
• I would be more concerned if there weren't teams that weren't interested in some of the guys. A&M is going to have to fight to keep them. That goes for in-state and out-of-state prospects. You would rather be ahead than behind. At least you are fighting from the top of the mountain.
   
• Guys are able to take visits as this dead period ends. A&M has spring break coming up, so you won't see as many visits the next couple of weeks for the Aggies. After that, look for, especially when spring practice ramps up on March 20, look for when A&M really starts to hit the field. Those guys start making trips. I know March 22 is a big day for a lot of guys. I know March 28-29, there are quite a few guys already making plans, and you can expect busy times up to April around the spring game. Look for things to ramp up not this week, but probably not next week because they come off of spring break and especially towards the latter end of March.
   
• Jireh Edwards‍ will be in town. I want to say his visit is set for March 22. He will be in College Station for an unofficial this spring, and then he will be back. He already has an official visit scheduled for the June 13 weekend. He’s one of the top safeties in the country. He is going to be a top-rated five-star type talent at the end of the day. A&M is really high on his list. As a matter of fact, I want to say he is telling people they are at the tip-top of the list right now. Of course, you have Maryland, Georgia, Oregon and several others in the mix. Coach Mike Elko has played a big role in that as well. The recruiting staff has also played an instrumental role there, and Mason Smith is doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work there.
   
• Peyton Houston‍ is a 2027, so he will be taking an unofficial visit on March 21. He is a guy A&M has been on since he was in middle school. He was at the Under Armour camp in Dallas and was the Quarterback MVP. He is really polished. He throws a great ball. Last year, he was a first-year starter. He set all kinds of national and state records. He can throw the ball around the yard and is playing baseball this spring, but he is going to be making his rounds and has visits set for March 21.