Wednesday night recruiting notes
Just a few mid-week notes for the night owls as the Ags near the end of their third week on the recruiting trail:- So the summer camp schedule is pretty much set, with the Aggies hosting three satellite camps in Texas, four stops in Louisiana (those camps are hosted by Tulane) and a one-day stop with Arizona and Boise State in SoCal at Long Beach Poly to go along with their normal summer camp load in College Station.Here's what the schedule looks like when it comes to off-campus events:June 4 - Recruiting BBQJune 9 - Lancaster HS (with Houston)June 10 - Coppell HS and Kilgore HS (with Houston)June 12 - Long Beach Poly (with Arizona and Boise State)June 15 - Shreveport and Monroe (with Tulane)June 16 - Lake Charles (with Tulane)June 17 - New Orleans (with Tulane)There are a few things that stand out when I look at the Ags' summer recruiting schedule. First and foremost is the fact that Sumlin and his staff decided to pretty much keep things in their own backyard. While I think you'll see A&M continue to hold one or two 'one off' camps like the one they're doing at Poly (perhaps in place like Arizona, Tennessee, Atlanta or Florida), the clear push here by the Ags was to attack areas where they know they can and must recruit with a high degree of success: Dallas, East Texas and Louisiana.As all of you know, A&M quickly took control of the Dallas area when Sumlin arrived in 2012 and hit a home run with the David Beaty hire. The Ags also got most of the guys they wanted out of East Texas, thanks in large part to the Longhorns being down and nearly out and B.J. Anderson's strong connections to the high school coaches in the area. Sumlin and the Aggies have clearly lost their grip in both areas since both Beaty and Anderson left the staff a little over a year ago, and were honestly losing momentum before the two popular coaches left. Holding two camps in Dallas and one in East Texas is a much-needed strategic play designed to help the program gain some of that momentum back.Why Houston?While some may have raised an eyebrow when the news broke that Texas A&M and the University of Houston - not to mention Kevin Sumlin and Tom Herman - would join forces to host three satellite camps, the move sure seems like a sensible one from where I sit. First off, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Houston is a red-hot brand right now in the state, which means that the Coogs are more of a 'draw' to high schoolers around the state today than they've been in well over 20 years. The Ags will benefit from hosting a camp with a wildly popular head coach and his surging program, as the A&M-Houston combination promises to attract plenty of top-tier Dallas talent to the camps. Second, by choosing each other, both the Aggies and Cougars are sending a pretty strong message that they're not fans of aiding and abetting college football heavyweights making their way to Texas and getting out in front of top-flight talent. Finally, unlike TCU (who will host a camp with Bama) and Baylor (who got into bed with LSU), the Ags are unlikely to lose many (if any) of the recruits they see in Dallas and East Texas to Houston in head-to-head battles. The whole thing is a win/win for both Sumlin and Herman, whose program benefits by teaming up with one of the state's two flagship programs and Texas' lone SEC representative.Why NOT Houston?The answer to this question is pretty simple. College Station is less than a 1.5-hour drive from the Bayou City. As anyone who follows this stuff knows, the Ags have always had a much more difficult time getting prospects to follow up on plans and make the drive from either Dallas or East Texas than they do attracting Houston-area talent to campus. The primary goal - satellite camps or no satellite camps - has always been and will always be to get your top targets on campus and to do so as many times as possible. With that said, expect a good Houston-area turnout at the Ags' 'home' camps in June and July.I would spend some time breaking down the reasons why A&M will invest three days' worth of work in Louisiana, but I think everyone understands why. The Ags have made a very big investment when it comes to time spent recruiting Bayou talent and it's time they begin landing both top-tier and under-the-radar talent with greater regularity, which means finishing first instead of second more often than they have in recent seasons.And now for the 'notes' portion of tonight's update:- Expect to see the Aggies extend a few offers on Friday as the coaching staff reconvenes to break down what they saw while on the road since Sunday. Two guys I'm confident we'll see added to the offer list are Katy Taylor TE Camron Horry and Roseville (CA) standout Jimmy Jaggers. Horry, the son of six-time NBA champ Robert Horry, picked up an eye-catching LSU offer last week and the Ags will be next to move on the 6-5, 260-pound 'attached' tight end. Though Les Miles and the Bayou Bengals predictably grabbed Horry's attention with the offer, I'm hearing from Katy sources that A&M would be in pretty good shape and in line to get a quick return visit with the big man once an offer is extended. As for Jaggers, the 6-5, 240-pounder holds offers from all over the country but he's clearly a guy who stood out to Jeff Banks during his coast-to-coast search for in-line TEs.Speaking of A&M's tight end search, a name to file away is NEO beast Mike'Quan Dean. The 6-4, 245-pounder runs a 4.5 forty and was seen in person by Banks during the first week of evals. He hasn't been pushed to commit and probably won't as long as the Ags are in on so many top-flight high school prospects at the position but he'll be a guy the Aggies continue to recruit throughout the summer and move on if they decide getting instant-impact JUCO help is the answer.For those wondering, the Ags are still in good shape with Baylor commit and LaVega TE Kedrick James, but the state's top-ranked player at the position has tapped the brakes a bit and doesn't plan on making any sort of move in the near future. A&M is also still squarely in the mix for Oklahoma inside receiver/flex TE Nick Robinson .- As Brauny reported, A&M will be at Brenham tomorrow (Banks and perhaps John Chavis) to see LB/DE Marqez Bimage. The 6-2, 235-pounder will work out in front of Aggie and LSU Tiger coaches at the high school. He's expecting an LSU offer but has maintained that he'd jump at the chance to play for A&M. This is one of the instances where the Tigers are essentially forcing the Aggies hand to either pull the trigger on an offer or risk watching a local defensive talent choose an SEC West rival. We'll update the situation tomorrow.- Terry Price was in Dallas earlier this week and saw defensive end targets Earnest Brown at Denton Ryan and Denton Guyer pass-rusher Javaris Steward. He also made an area stop to see priority receiver target Tyrell Shavers at Lewisville. On Thursday and Friday, Price will see some of the Houston-area's top d-ends, including North Shore stud K'Lavon Chaisson and 2018 blue-chip Max Wright.Jim Turner and David Turner will check out the talent at Katy High this week, stopping in to see A&M lean Corey Bethley on D and the highly-regarded young blockers at both Katy and neighboring Taylor. - Both Turners may also soon check in on a fascinating, completely under-the-radar recruit recently uncovered by the Ags, Baylor, SMU, Colorado and UH. Houston Christian big man Joshua Rogers was a combine standout whose game is solid but whose 6-4, 287-pound frame is what has recently drawn some Power 5 programs to the small private school. While I wouldn't put Rogers on 'offer alert' just yet, an A&M coach saw him in person this week and the Ags are likely to circle back next week as they try to determine whether he's a more attractive prospect on the defensive or offensive side of the ball. He's the type who could earn an A&M offer if the Ags are able to get him on campus for a visit or camp workout next month. As physically impressive as just about any of the more highly-rated guys in the state at his position.- I mentioned Banks and the tight end search. The tireless position coach isn't confining his efforts to the Class of '17 only. He's also checking out the very best juniors in Texas, having been spotted at Dekaney on Wednesday watching Alabama commit Malcolm Epps. Word from a Ridge Point search is that Banks will be at the school tomorrow to see 2018 offer Mustapha Muhammad, as well.- And finally, for the second straight week, an A&M coach will make an appearance at LaGrange HS, where mutual interest continues to build between game-breaking tailback and Ohio State commit JK Dobbins and the Aggies.
Setting the Table: Texas A&M coaches hit the recruiting trail
Evaluation season is now in full swing, enticing the Texas A&M football coaching staff to spread out and canvass the state and nation. Expected offers, trends in intently followed recruitments, positional numbers and more are coming into focus.
Oklahoma City ATH Nick Robinson recaps visit to Aggieland
With offers from multiple schools to play multiple positions, 2017 Oklahoma City (Okla.) tight end/defensive end Nick Robinson has a set of choices in front of him. Following a weekend visit to Texas A&M, he believes the Aggies could suit all of them.
The Opening/FNL thoughts
2017 Episcopal DT Marvin Wilson - He was as dominant as you would expect the top player in the country to be Sunday at the Opening Regional. He was also in Aggieland for Friday Night Lights, and he told me he enjoyed getting to talk with new defensive tackles Coach David Turner. A&M still has a long ways to go with Wilson, but getting him back on campus this spring was big for the Aggies. I've been told Marv would like to stay closer to home, but the Aggies need to win a lot of games this fall to make that happen.2017 Episcopal OL Walker Little - I've been calling him the best lineman in the State since I watched him last fall, and he lived up to that this Sunday. Little hasn't showed much interest in the Aggies yet, but he is set to visit in a few weeks. He likes Jim Turner a lot, but again the Ags will need to win some games this fall to be able to land Little. He has a brother and sister at Ole Miss, and is likely leaning that way at this point.2017 Cy Creek OL Grayson Reed - I was a bit surprised that Reed didn't earn an Opening invite on Sunday, as I thought he dominated for much of the day. Reed was in town for Friday Night Lights, and will make a return trip for the spring game this weekend. I still think it's just a matter of time before he adds his name to the Aggie commitment list.North Shore DE K'Lavon Chaisson - While he didn't earn an Opening invite this weekend, Chaisson did show elite speed off the edge. He has a great frame with room still to grow into a top of the line edge rusher. He showed up Sunday decked out in Baylor gear, but LSU will also be a major player. He will trip to Aggieland this weekend for the spring game.Langham Creek RB Toneil Carter - As we noted earlier this week, Carter made his fifth return trip to Aggieland last weekend, and he told me actually came close to committing. Quartney Davis and Kemah Siverand were on him hard this weekend, but he held off and plans to make his decision on his birthday October 3rd. The other schools under consideration are Georgia and LSU, but the Aggies are the favorites to land him.Westlake OL Stephan Zabie - Watching him you wouldn't know he's only played football for one year. He's raw as hell, but is put together as well as any lineman in the state. He may end up being the best of the bunch when you look back after their college careers. OU and A&M top his list right now, and his relationship with Jim Turner should put the Aggies over the top when the time comes when he makes a commitment.Crosby WR Mannie Netherly - The Aggie commit showed up wearing some LSU gloves, and while he's recruiting for the Aggies, he will take visits and play the game throughout the process. The Aggies will have to continue to recruit him as though he's not recruited. LSU is the main threat, but Texas and others will make a run at him as well.Dickinson DB Chris Wilson - He picked up an offer shortly after attending FNL with teammate, and 2018 A&M commit Montel Parker, and showed why he received that offer on Sunday. Wilson has the length that Chavis is looking for in a corner, and displayed great footwork and fluid hips in drills on Sunday. Don't be surprised to see him add his name to the commitment list in the near future.Oklahoma City DE Nick Robinson - The Oklahoma defender attending FNL, but defense may not be the position the Aggies have in mind. Robinson tells me that Jeff Banks has been talking to him about playing TE for the Aggies. As for the visit, Robinson told me he had an amazing time and loved everything about it.Cy Fair OL Austin Deculus - While he plays a little stiff at time, Deculus is a strong as they come. When he gets his hands on you it's over. The Aggies were late to the party on this one, but it wouldn't have matter either way. He's been all LSU for some time, and doesn't have any interest in A&M.Destrehan WR Michael Young - The Louisiana resident that took in FNL, Young had a great time on his visit and spent a lot of time talking with Terry Joseph and Aaron Moorehead. He loved the facilities and the atmosphere on Friday, and also was a big fan of how the Aggies use their slot receivers. Young is still taking things slow at this point, but the Aggies will be contenders for the long haul.2018 Alief Taylor WR Brennan Eagles - Despite not having the fan fair of some of the other wide receivers in attendance, Eagles took home WR MVP honors on Sunday. At 6-3, 205-pounds, he was one of the most impressive receivers physically at the event. Look for his stock to take off in the near future.Waco La Vega TE Kedrick James - The Baylor commit made his second trip to Aggieland this spring, and spent most of Friday night hanging with A&M commits Tate Martell and Roshauud Paul. While he's yet to open things up, I would expect that to happen in the future. The Aggies have made quite the impression on James, and will be the odds on favorite to flip him in the long run.Plano West LB Mohamed Sanogo - This is the second straight Opening Regional the Sanogo has really impressed me. He's a true Mike that has great instincts and a great football mind. He could be a guy after a spring evaluation that the Aggies make a move on. I'm surprised at this point that he doesn't have more offers already.FB Elkins LB Kenneth Murray - Murray was a guy we mentioned last fall while checking out 2018 Elkins commit Luke Matthews, and he impressed again this weekend. He was really good in coverage during one-on-ones and even better in cat-and-mouse drills with the running backs. I would expect his offer list to grow during the spring evaluation period.Pearland DT Jordan Crawford - While he's probably around 5-10 or 5-11, he was one of the quicker defensive tackles in attendance on Sunday. He won most of his one-on-ones, and was fighting for as many reps as he could. He picked up his first offer from Iowa State last week and that list should continue to grow.Plano East LB Anthony Hines - Any time you can get one of the top linebackers in the State for a visit you have to be happy about it. With every visit Hines warms up more to the Aggies and that has a lot to do with John Chavis. Hines is wide open at this point, and the Aggies need to continue to chip away at his recruitment.Temple DE Taquon Graham - One of the top pass rushers in the state, Graham made his first visit to Aggieland on Friday night. While Graham enjoyed the visit the Aggies still trail in his recruitment. I could see him come off of the board soon to the Longhorns. They've been his leader for a while and that hasn't changed.
Friday Night Lights visitor list
Here is a running list of who is expected to be on campus Friday. We will continue to update this throughout the week.2017Bishop Gorman QB Tate Martell Caldwell DB Devin Morris Bremond WR Roshauud Paul DeSoto OL Xavier Newman (moved to next weekend for Spring Game)California DE Addison Gumbs Lamar OL Eleasah Anderson Los Angeles DE Hunter Echols Mansfield DB Saiid Adebo George Ranch RB Alex Fontenot Lutcher (LA) WR Al'Dontre Davis Lancaster WR Omar Manning Plano West LB Mohamed Sanogo Lake Dallas DB Kobe Boyce Oklahoma DE Nick Robinson Langham Creek RB Toneil Carter La Vega TE Kedrick James A&M Consol DB Tyon Merchant College Station QB Ty Brock Temple DE Taquon Graham Sachse LB Riko JeffersEvangel Christian WR Johnathan Jones Brenahm LB Marqez Bimage Westlake OL Stephan Zabie John Ehret DB Terrell Bailey George Ranch DB Adam Beck Destrehan WR Michael Young IMG LB Santino Marchiol Angleton S Quincy Addison Houston Episcopal DT Marvin Wilson 2018College Station ATH Quandree White Justin Northwest OL Darrell Simpson ****inson WR Montel Parker Sachse QB Jalen Mayden Sachse WR Drue JacksonPrestonwood DB Verone McKinley III SGP DB Atanza 'AT' Vongor Angelton RB Billy 'BJ' Foster Ridge Point TE Mustapha Muhammad Ridge Point LB Chad Bailey Cy Ranch OL Colten Blanton Houston Lamar DB Anthony Cook2020 (yes, you read that right)Southlake Carroll ATH RJ Mickens (son of Ray) Spruce ATH Ja'Quinden Jackson (already has Tech offer)
