Scattershooting the class of 2020: Fisher & the Aggies stockpiling elite talent
The Aggies are headed for a top-10 finish in recruiting rankings yet again, and Billy Liucci dives into another elite class as Jimbo Fisher and his staff begin to stockpile the kind of talent A&M needs to climb the SEC and national pecking orders.
Some Thursday recruiting notes
Things seem to be picking up on the Major Burns front. I was told by a Baton Rouge source this one is pretty much down to Georgia and Texas A&M with both planning to visit. The Aggies are expected to stop by today with Coach Elko, coach Linguist, and coach Peveto all on their way to Louisiana. There is not a lot of time with Burns expected to be an early enrollee (graduate in December and enroll in January) and the pre-signing day quiet period set to begin on Sunday. He has yet to take an official visit to either program this fall and it will be interesting to see if he takes one on his final weekend.As for Dontae Manning and Ronald Williams, it looks like things are indeed trending away from the Aggies. Alabama has made a move for Williams after the in-home visit with Saban, and we are hearing Georgia and Oregon are making a move for Manning. This morning I checked around with a few sources about Texas A&M commit Donell Harris, and the feeling is the Miami defender will make his official visit this weekend. As Brauny and I stated yesterday on the radio and in the podcast that would be good indicator for the Aggies. Brauny and I have both spoken to different Florida sources who feel the Gators have seen an increase in momentum since his official visit and Mullen's in-home visit yesterday, but A&M having that final official visit has kept the Gators from feeling overly confident. The Aggies are also fighting the Gators for Dallas Jesuit ATH EJ Smith, and sources tell me both head coaches (Jimbo Fisher and Dan Mullen) will be in-home tonight. EJ says he is most likely announcing his decision on Signing Day and it looks like the Gators, Aggies, and Stanford Cardinal are the programs to watch. Coach Shaw made his in-home with the Smiths last week. There was talk West Memphis (AR) OL Chris Morris could take an official visit to Miami this weekend, but he now plans to take an OV to Ole Miss. The Texas A&M coaching staff has been in communication with Morris so everyone knows the plans and is on the same page. I am told by sources in Memphis that Morris remains strong in his commitment to the Aggies.
Antonio Johnson eager to head to Aggieland following state championship
A three-year varsity player on both sides of the ball, Antonio Johnson achieved a goal this year: win an Illinois state title. Now, the A&M safety commit's focus is shifting to the Lone Star State where he is ready for his next chapter in Aggieland.
A glance at what is still in play
I figured I'd consolidate all the names we are hearing that the A&M staff is still at the very least having conversations with down the stretch as we are just over two weeks away from NSD 1. QB - noneRB - Daniyel Ngata, EJ Smith, Zach Evans WR - noneTE - noneOL - Javonne Shepherd (transfer), Ty'Kieast Crawford (academic questions)DE - Alfred Collins, Princely Umanmielen DT - McKinnley Jackson, Omari Thomas LB - Antonio Doyle, Edgerrin Cooper CB - Dontae Manning, Brian George, Ronald Williams, Scooby Carter (transfer)S - Jordan Morant ATH - Malik Hornsby I do not anticipate A&M adding any more at defensive end or safety, but they have been in talks with all three players listed at those positions this week. A source tonight told me that Bradley Dale Peveto was in Louisiana to meet with Cooper. I've also gotten a vibe today that there was growing confidence again with Doyle. Regardless, I suspect the Aggies to add a solid LB to the class. I also believe there's a strong chance Kenneth Phillips delays his arrival in College Station until his rehab is complete. I'd look for a decision to come down from Omari Thomas in the next week or so. I've been able to glean that Tennessee (and their fans) think they're the team to beat, but I wouldn't count those chickens just yet if I were a Volunteer. I'd consider it a pretty huge coup if the Ags can nick one of him or Jackson.
A couple of notes as coaches hit the road
The contact period begins today which means coaches from across the country are hitting the road/air to check in on their top targets across the country. I'll kick it off with a few notes I've picked up over the weekend and into today.- There are still a lot of schools trying to chip away at Demond Demas. He's standing firm though as LSU, Ohio State, and Baylor have been sniffing around as of late. Demond even tweeted his intentions earlier this morning. https://twitter.com/demonddemas1/status/1201538461259456513?s=21Jimbo Fisher has an in-home scheduled with Demond on Friday. - It sounds like offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey will be making the rounds to see his top guys this week. I've been told he's in Longview today to see Haynes King, and then he'll head to Ft Bend ISD for a couple days later in the week to check in on Devon Achane, Akinola Ogunbiyi, Kenneth Phillips, and Smart Chibuzo. I also suspect we'll see A&M staffers at Saturday's showdown between Manvel and Ft Bend Marshall at 2 o'clock in Iowa Colony. - Mike Elko will be racking up the frequent flyer miles this week. According to an east coast source, Elko is scheduled to meet one-on-one with a whole host of A&M commits and targets throughout the midwest, northeast, and Deep South. I've been told he'll see the following:Fadil Diggs Isaiah Raikes Antonio Johnson Jordan Morant Ronald Williams Brian George Dontae Manning Antonio Doyle McKinnley Jackson Busy week for the Aggie DC. - A few of quick hitters I picked up over the weekend making the rounds at HS games:1) I think you'll see 2021 North Shore QB Dematrius Davis visit Texas A&M this spring even though he recently committed to Virginia Tech. 2) If I had to pick today, I think Malik Hornsby ends up at Baylor. 3) I was told by folks in the Houston scene that the Aggies currently have a great shot at landing standout 2021 OL's Jaeden Roberts and Reuben Fatheree. Both have told me they'll be on campus this spring. 4) It was another 200 yard rushing, 4 touchdown day for Devon Achane on Saturday. He also did it behind a patchwork offensive line missing both starting tackles. All things considered, it had to be one of his more impressive performances of the year. He was having to make guys miss as soon as he touched the ball for most of the afternoon. 5) 2022 offers I'd like to see go out soon are both to linebackers: Manvel's Justin Medlock and Katy's Ty Kana. 6) Greater Houston area HS matchups this weekend include:North Shore vs Atascocita - Saturday, 2 PM at CE King's Panther Stadium Dallas Jesuit vs Spring Westfield - Saturday, 6 PM at NRG StadiumCyCreek vs Katy Taylor - Saturday, 2 PM at NRG StadiumFt Bend Marshall vs Manvel - Saturday, 2 PM at Freedom Field in Iowa ColonyColumbus vs Hallettsville - Friday, 7 PM at Legacy Stadium in Katy