Quick note on LB prospect
Spoke to a source this morning who said he believes Virginia Tech leads for Independence CC LB Kuony Deng.Terry Price was in Kansas last week to Deng, and I'm told the Aggies remain in the running here, likely right behind the Hokies. I expect to see Deng narrow his choices fairly soon. I think the numbers could be at play here. In other words, will there be room for Deng? If there is, I feel pretty confident a late push could land him in Aggieland.
A few Monday morning recruiting quick hitters
-We are hearing Jimbo will be at North Shore today to see 2020 RB Zach Evans as well as OL Damieon George and the rest of North Shore's college minor league team. Evans did not make it to Austin over the weekend.-Terry Price will see Independence CC OLB Kuony Deng today then hit Katy ISD over the weekend to see Braedon Mowry, David Ugwoegbu, and Marcus Stripling. -I've been told that offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey will be in Georgia this weekend to see Kenyon Jackson, Zach Calzada, and 2020 LB Phillip Webb. -Be on the lookout for LB commit Tarian Lee to take a visit soon. I've heard Purdue is a possibility. -Though nothing has been officially set up, I continue to hear what Jason has been reporting about Marquez Beason. That line of communication remains open. -I've also heard Dickinson TE Jalen Wydermyer is inching closer and closer to announcing a final decision. One source in Dickinson thinks it could happen before the end of the HS season, but until I get more supporting intel, I still believe he'll wait until his season is done. -DC Mike Elko will be in DFW for a few stops this weekend. I'm told he check on the DB commits up there ( Brian Williams and Demani Richardson) as well as some top 2020's like Darius Snow and Chris Thompson.
Three Things: Out of state 'draft board' and future names to watch
Every Friday Jason Howell locks in on three recruiting thoughts, and today he builds his personal draft board for the prospects the Aggies are pursuing outside of Texas. He also adds some names to watch in future years who haven't quite cracked the rankings.
Monday night recruiting notes - Post Clemson
If you read our recruit reaction thread from Saturday and Sunday, you know what kind of impression Saturday night left with a large number of A&M's top prospects across multiple classes. After exchanging numerous texts and phone calls with kids and sources, here's what I've got in terms of the latest intel.-Let's start with the momentum created in 2020. The biggest news was the commitment of Demond Demas. The junior WR from North Forest is widely regarded as one of the top overall players in the country. His pledge caught a lot of people off guard, including members of the A&M staff. However, the Aggies nearly landed a couple more high priorities, including Trinity Christian DB Dwight McGlothern. McGlothern did not commit to A&M, but it's safe to say the Aggies hold a major edge here. Dwight will visit Michigan, LSU, and Alabama, and according to a source close to him, he is now looking to make a decision after his junior season. Remember, Dwight is extremely close to Jordan Moore and Leon O'Neal. I've also heard third hand the Aggies are in the pole position for CIbolo Steele's Jaylon Jones. I'll be out to see him in a couple of weeks when they take on Converse Judson. -With four commitments on the offensive line already in 2020, it's hard to say who or how many remaining spots there will be up front in that class. I do know that A&M and Alabama are now in a dogfight for PNG OL Jaylen Garth. Coming into the weekend, it was the Crimson Tide who held the advantage. A source in the Golden Triangle hesitated to say that the Aggies had overtaken Alabama, but I was told they were on level playing ground. Look for Garth to visit Alabama at some point this season but also return to College Station. The third team in the mix is Texas who has the commitment of his HS quarterback Roschon Johnson. That could keep the Horns around for a little bit, but as of now, it sounds like they are playing from behind. The atmosphere on Saturday also left an indelible impression with Memphis (TN) OL Chris Morris. A source close to Morris said the Aggies went from off the radar to firmly on it after Saturday night. Morris is an area where offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey has tremendous ties. Morris got to speak with Jim Turner and Lee Grimes after the game. Staying up front in the junior class, it sounds like A&M still has some work to do for Clear Creek big man Chad Lindberg. Chad had a great time at the game, but compared to what we heard from some of the other kids, it sounds like he's still wanting to come back and see more from the Aggies. He did get to speak with Jim Turner, Jimbo Fisher, and Bradley Dale Peveto on Saturday, and he talked to the A&M staff again on Sunday so it sounds like A&M isn't going to budge in terms of their pursuit. Lindberg's brother is currently enrolled at Texas, and it sounds like the Longhorns lead currently. Lindberg is an extremely smart kid, and I've been told Stanford could factor in, as well. Look for A&M to try and get him back to College Station soon. -2020 Baton Rouge (LA) DT Jaquelin Roy was unable to make it this weekend due to transportation issues, but I have heard he'll reschedule. -Florida speedster Mark-Antony Richards did not make it to town. I'm unsure if he'll reschedule. -There's been a lot of buzz surrounding Texas OL commit Javonne Shepherd, and Shepherd has done nothing to slow it down. In fact, he only heated things up even more when he tweeted, "This recruitment is about to get real crazy." Since then, he has interacted with some Texas players on Twitter, but I also do know he's been in contact with A&M. If you're asking me tonight, even though nothing has been finalized, I think you'll see Shepherd in College Station sooner rather than later unless the Texas staff can rally and prevent him from doing so. I also have it on good authority than Shepherd has talked to A&M commit and good friend Kenyon Green in the last day or so. -Still anticipating a phone conversation with Katy Seven Lakes DE David Ugwoegbu, but a couple of Houston area sources claimed the talented edge man is close to a decision. Visits to Oklahoma and Alabama are up in the air at last check. -Looking like a mid fall decision for Dickinson TE Jalen Wydermyer. I think he'll visit a couple of spots still with a high probability he also makes a return trip to College Station for possibly the Kentucky game. I feel good about the Ags' chances as things stand. -We are still hearing a public announcement for 2020 QB Malik Hornsby is likely to happen soon...as in the next 4-5 days. We will let you know if something changes. -I continue to hear that Katy Mayde Creek DE Marcus Stripling intends to take all of his visits prior to making a commitment. It'll be interesting to see if 1) he sticks to that and 2) where A&M is at in terms of numbers when Marcus is ready to make a decision. Stripling showed up late, but he did make it to College Station this weekend.-I've had some folks message me about the strength of Christian Harris' commitment in the face of LSU's strong start. A couple of things are important to remember here...first, Harris told me after the game Saturday night that the environment of College Station and the atmosphere inside Kyle Field did nothing but strengthen his pledge. Second, we had heard the Harris camp had gotten a little upset at LSU for slow playing a kid in their own backyard. Couple that with the bond he's formed with a lot of the A&M commitments, especially RJ Orebo, and I don't think Harris is going anywhere. -Had a souce tell me that Independence CC LB Kuony Deng (pronounced "cuh-oin") was extremely impressive in terms of his physicality. With the numbers the way they are, I'd keep an eye on Deng's recruitment. If you continue to hear his name pop up, I think A&M will be a legitimate player for his services. -Atlanta (GA) LB Nick Jackson was unable to make it in for Clemson, but he did tell me that he's planning a trip to College Station for later in the year. -We will have post official visit articles soon from Dylan Wright, Zach Calzada, and Orebo soon.
Visitor list - Clemson (holy cow)
Well, here's what we've got. This list will get altered 100 times I'm sure with additions/subtractions. I'd also expect kids committed elsewhere to sneak in. CommitsDayton OLB RJ Orebo - official visitLanier (GA) QB Zach Calzada St Pius WR Chase Lane West Mesquite WR Dylan Wright - official visitHallsville OL Blake Trainor Manvel OL Layden Robinson A&M Consolidated DT Josh Ellison Baton Rouge (LA) LB Christian Harris - official visitBrock TE Baylor Cupp - official visitColleyville Heritage WR Kameron Brown Waxahachie S Demani Richardson Coppell K Caden Davis Houston Madison DB Bobby Wolfe Ft Bend Bush DB Erick Young Mansfield Legacy ATH Jeffery Carter Ft Bend Hightower OL Smart Chibuzo The Woodlands College Park Josh Bankhead Ft Bend Kempner OL Akinola Ogunbiyi Navasota OL Jordan Jefferson 2019'sFt Lauderdale (FL) DE Khris Bogle Katy Seven Lakes DE David Ugwoegbu Katy Mayde Creek DE Marcus Stripling West Palm Beach (FL) ATH Mark-Antony Richards Dickinson TE Jalen Wydermyer Amite (LA) DT Ishmael Sopsher (maybe)Independence CC LB Kuony Deng Hutto ATH Chux NwabukoArizona Western JC DB Elijah Blades 2020'sNorth Shore RB Zach Evans Houston North Forest WR Demond Demas Clear Creek OL Chad Lindberg Duncanville S Chris Thompson Duncanville ATH Ja'Quinden JacksonA&M Consolidated WR Devin Price Ft Bend Austin WR Troy Omeire A&M Consolidated DB Nate Floyd Newton DE James Sylvester Baton Rouge (LA) DT Jaquelin Roy Cibolo Steele DB Jaylon Jones Dickinson DB Donald Warnell Port Neches-Groves OL Jaylen Garth Haynesville (LA) DT Camron Jackson Baton Rouge (LA) ATH Joel Williams (maybe)Mansfield Timberview DB Jalen Kimber North Shore LB Corey Flagg North Shore OL Damieon George - maybeFt Bend Marshall QB Malik Hornsby Weatherford QB Ken Seals Trinity Christian DB Dwight McGlothern Mesquite Poteet RB Seth McGowan Spring Woods DE Vernon Broughton CE King ATH Bryson Washington A&M Consolidated WR Brian Darby Frisco Lone Star WR Marvin Mims Dallas Jesuit ATH EJ Smith Denton Ryan ATH Drew Sanders - Oklahoma - maybeCedar Hill OL Courtland Ford Nacogdoches OL Riley Birdwell Coppell OL Garrison Wheatley Katy Mayde Creek OL Curtis Stripling Memphis (TN) OL Chris Morris George County (MS) DT McKinnley Jackson 2021'sKaty Tompkins DE Tunmise Adeleye Hutto DE/OLB Landyn Watson Bellaire Episcopal OL Donovan Jackson Lakeview Centennial RB Camar Wheaton (maybe)Ft Bend Ridge Point WR John Paul Richardson Ft Bend Willowridge WR Latrell Neville Pleasant Grove DE Landon Jackson North ashore WR Shadrach Banks Mesquite Horn LB Kendrick Blackshire Coppell ATH KJ Liggins Bellaire Episcopal OL Luis Chavarria Denton Braswell OL Erick Cade Port Neches-Groves OL Corey Burt Waller OL Augustus Rice Bellaire Episcopal OL Cullen Montgomery 2022'sBeaumont West Brook ATH Bryce AndersonAgain, there's going to be changes. When you're dealing with a group this large and star studded, it's always difficult to gauge who's really going to be in town once Saturday rolls around. We'll pin this all week so keep checking back in to see the alterations. I'm sure Jason will come in with confirmations or non-confirmations from DFW soon.