Saw this earlier and assumed it was already here, but search function turns up nothing on the subject so I shall post away.


http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tamu-football/texas-expected-add-walk-linebacker/

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After the Aggies allowed over 213 rushing yards per game last season, the second most yards allowed on the ground by an SEC defense in 2015, Texas A&M's linebacker corp could use all the help they can get heading into 2016.
Enter former Aggie linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni to lend an effort to the cause. Mastrogiovanni left the football program in February of 2015 shortly after the team's transition to defensive coordinator John Chavis began. The Texas linebacker was originally a three-star prospect and held offers from Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Clemson, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford and UCLA among others.
Mastrogiovanni has reportedly had a change of heart and will return to the team as a walk-on.

Considering the talent the Aggies have up front in Myles Garrett, DeShaun Hall and Daylon Mack, the A&M linebacker corp should be free to make a number of plays this season. In addition to the talent that surrounds the linebackers, Chavis' history suggests he can get the most out the middle of the defense which should lead to an overall improved unit this fall in College Station.
Mastrogiovanni played in the 2013 and 2014 seasons for the Aggies and racked up 52 tackles in 15 total appearances.

Let's hope walk-on players don't have to pay per letter on the back of their jerseys.

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Uh, wasn't he terrible?

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Uh, wasn't he terrible?

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Wasn't everyone on defense terrible before Chavis?

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Uh, wasn't he terrible?

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Wasn't everyone on defense terrible before Chavis?

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Mastro, baggs and bass were a big reason why our 2014 defense was as horrible as it was against the run and Honeycutt's inability to cover ANYONE didnt help. Mastro lacks the speed and instincts necessary for his position in the SEC and even if he manages to walkon I'd be very surprised if he was anything more than a special teams player. Our linebackers have a lot more talent than our illfated 2014 team did.

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To be fair, Snyder was the absolute worst at adjusting his scheme to the players strengths and weaknesses.

lsu told him he could play fullback if I remember correctly. And I believe a move to the offensive side of the ball once Chavis arrived may have had something to do with him quitting. That said, I'm glad he's back. I think he can help us. And his name just makes me smile.

He's not the hero we need, but he is the one we deserve... oh wait.

Did he leave because of injury or just wasn't having any fun getting beaten up?

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Maybe he's found his inner Brian Urlacher.

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You mean he's now into beating women and being a prikk in the locker room????
Oh great.....

If we could just get Honeycutt back to solidify the back end of the D would be unstoppable.

I really don't know his situation, but are we really going to allow a guy to quit and take a year off from the team and then just come back?

Lest you forget, the solo tackle by Mastro in the second half against Duke in the Peach Bowl, at our 3 yard line, saved our ass. Duke ended up settling for a FG. TD there and we lose.

I'm not Mastro or a friend or relative.

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I really don't know his situation, but are we really going to allow a guy to quit and take a year off from the team and then just come back?

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Yes we are

If Chavez wants him, we want him, too. Welcome back!

Mastro didn't get a fair shake because he shouldn't have had to play as early as he did. Claiborne's idiocity played a role.

Did you notice how much our tackling improved in one year under Chavis? With Chavis coaching LBs, I would expect Mastro to improve dramatically.

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lsu told him he could play fullback if I remember correctly. And I believe a move to the offensive side of the ball once Chavis arrived may have had something to do with him quitting. That said, I'm glad he's back. I think he can help us. And his name just makes me smile.

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Nope. Reggie Chevis was offered by LSU as a fullback. Mastro's best offers were from OU and Notre Dame. I dont believe he held an LSU offer while in high school.

A slow white LB? Just what this team needs to win a natty!

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I really don't know his situation, but are we really going to allow a guy to quit and take a year off from the team and then just come back?

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Not exactly. He comes back as a walk-on and not on scholarship.

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lsu told him he could play fullback if I remember correctly. And I believe a move to the offensive side of the ball once Chavis arrived may have had something to do with him quitting. That said, I'm glad he's back. I think he can help us. And his name just makes me smile.

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Nope. Reggie Chevis was offered by LSU as a fullback. Mastro's best offers were from OU and Notre Dame. I dont believe he held an LSU offer while in high school.

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He did get offered by LSU...and several others. Arkansas, Baylor, ND, OU, Clemson, Ole Miss, UCLA...



Mastro was continually hurt, played in a terrible Snyder scheme, behind a bad DL.

I'd like to see what a healthy Mastro could do in Chavis' system, behind a good DL.

If it doesnt work out, we're no worse for the wear. I'm hoping for the best from him this year...we could use a win at the LB position.

We could use someone like him who has had a few obstacles in life he's had to overcome who can provide some senior leadership.

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A slow white LB? Just what this team needs to win a natty!

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Zach Thomas was white, small, and ran a 4.78.

Very rarely does an athlete take a year off during their career. In this case it could be a very good thing for his body. Much like AP sitting out lets the little injuries heal. He may not be any better this time around, but to base that he will be bad this year with a different coach and two years of maturity/healing is a mistake.

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Nope. Reggie Chevis was offered by LSU as a fullback. Mastro's best offers were from OU and Notre Dame. I dont believe he held an LSU offer while in high school.

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Perhaps no player in the state of Texas has seen more interest recently than the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Mastrogiovanni. He has added quite a few offers this spring and in the past two weeks has picked up two big ones from Notre Dame and LSU. While the Fighting Irish offered on an unofficial visit, the LSU one came as a bit of a surprise.
"I had been talking with them for about a month," Mastrogionvanni said of LSU. "I went out there for a junior day and I really liked it. It seemed like the coaches really liked me and we really clicked."
The Tigers are different than other programs, though, in that they are possibly recruiting him for the offensive side of the ball.
"They have a lot of depth at linebacker," he said. "I've looked at their roster and everything. Coach (Les) Miles told me that he thinks they could use me as a linebacker or a fullback just depending on where I fit better for them.

Found these pics of Mastro from this past year. Pretty interesting stuff.

He will get lots of playing time, and if he has physically matured a bit, that is not a bad thing.

He was overwhelmed when he played. Horrible DL, no help from the coaches, not physically mature yet, he was just overwhelmed. If he has just grown up a bit, then with this team he can contribute. He might be really hungry as well. Sitting out a bit might have made him want this.

This is decent news, not a changer, but decent news.

He is the kind of player that should not have seen the field for the first 3 years, except for special teams work.

We could use someone like him who has had a few obstacles in life he's had to overcome who can provide some senior leadership.

What obstacles coach?

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We could use someone like him who has had a few obstacles in life he's had to overcome who can provide some senior leadership.

What obstacles coach?

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He's stumbled some. Gets thrust into the starting role as a freshman for some big games, then loses his spot halfway through his sophomore year. For some reason or another is dropped from the roster, or gives up the sport. Then realizes his passion is still there and is willing to walk on without a scholarship.

Sounds like someone hungry to me.

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We could use someone like him who has had a few obstacles in life he's had to overcome who can provide some senior leadership.

What obstacles coach?

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He will be a junior when he returns.

Stop with the racial BS. Who cares if he's white or not.

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We could use someone like him who has had a few obstacles in life he's had to overcome who can provide some senior leadership.

What obstacles coach?

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He will be a junior when he returns.

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Not by eligibility standards. You don't get to save years, unless there is a redshirt involved.