Alfred Collins

It's time to take a look around at the biggest pick-ups on the recruiting front as well as some of the top recruiting news and notes from around the SEC. Jason Howell details that and more in this week's Around the SEC.

Around the state of Texas, decisions are being made, visits are being taken, and offers are being extended as the regular season has now kicked off. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star state recruiting front.

I spent the last few days in San Antonio at the All-American Bowl and as I head back to DFW I wanted to share a few thoughts and wrap up my experience.Let's start with the final few spots in the 2020 class. This week I had the chance to see a few of Texas A&M's final few targets. Covington (LA) LB Edgerrin Cooper's plans will be known on Saturday. He will choose between Texas A&M, Utah, and LSU, and he has already signed his LOI. In San Antonio this week, the Aggies seemed to have most of the buzz, and I'll go ahead and say my prediction is he picks the Aggies. He took his final OV to Texas A&M, and it seemed to make a genuine impression on him. I would say Utah is the Aggie's biggest competition.Lucedale (MS) George County DT McKinnley Jackson is the highest profile of Texas A&M's final targets and it is clear coach Fisher, coach Elijah Robinson, and several members of the class have bonded really well. He has already taken OVs to Auburn and Alabama, and LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M are currently slotted to get his final OVs in January. He continues to keep everyone guessing. I like the Aggies chances but I would not call the Aggies his favorite or anything like that. Ole Miss did take a hit when coach Luke was fired, and since Luke is at UGA the Bulldogs are trying to get in the mix. The Bulldogs are currently outside of his top five and right now he does not plan to take an OV there but you can never count out UGA. LSU and Alabama are probably the two biggest threats to the Aggies right now, but I have a feeling this thing is going to be up in the air until he puts pen to paper. The final possibility is Mobile (AL) St. Paul OL Brady Ward. He is a big guy with some potential and he has seen things pick up a bit over the last few months. He says he plans to take OVs to Texas A&M and Miami in January and he will sign in February. Florida could also receive a January OV too. Honestly, I don't see Ward at A&M, I just don't think the numbers will work out there. The buzz seemed to be around Miami this week, but I wouldn't count out Florida. Another program to watch is Auburn. He connected with Chad Morris when he was at Arkansas and he continues to talk to Morris' son Chandler. If the Tigers come through with an offer I could see them becoming a player. Now for some stuff on the Aggies signees. All of them have been impressive and have been recognized throughout the week as standouts. Yesterday, Muhsin Muhammad III jumped out to me. He runs smooth, crisp routes and makes quick adjustments to the ball. He does not mind getting physical either. He lined up both inside and outside throughout yesterday's practice and even worked on punt and kickoff return. LB Antonio Doyle is the most vocal of the Aggie bunch. He has been a lot of fun to watch if for nothing else just because he really seems to be enjoying himself. He hardly ever comes off the field during LB drills. He's working at MLB and OLB in the West's 4-3 and he has done a great job of grasping the defense and making the calls. Physically he's also pretty imposing and he has been a consistently strong competitor on the field.S Antonio Johnson has been the biggest standout of the Aggie bunch since arriving in San Antonio. His range and instincts at safety have been impressive and he will absolutely lay the wood when he comes to lower the boom. DE Donell Harris has also been a big standout. His speed and quickness have been well known, but he has shown a variety of moves and more strength and power in his game this week. Both Johnson and Muhammad are heading to College Station right after the game to begin their careers at Texas A&M. Overall Texas A&M's group has shined very bright over the first few days in San Antonio.Now for a few thoughts after seeing some of these national names for the first time.Notre Dame WR signee Jordan Johnson was the most impressive WR I saw while out there. He had DBs twisting and turning, created separation, caught contested balls. He did a little bit of everything. The Irish got a good one.Five-star CB Kelee Ringo was the most dominating defender in one-on-ones yesterday. He is a big, physical DB, and I don't think I saw him lose a rep yesterday.LB Noah Sewell is just different. I think TexAgs is going to look real smart for putting DE Alfred Collins in the top 5. That dude has such a high ceiling and he is already really good.Ohio State signee OL Paris Johnson is has been my favorite OL at this event. Big framed, flexible, strong, and light on his feet. Alright, that's all I got. I'm headed back to DFW.