2022 in Houston...
So, by now, I'm sure all of you that follow recruiting have heard us talk about the importance of recruiting greater Houston in the class of 2022. I won't go into that again, but I did want to comment on all the recent back and forth on social media about A&M from some of the city's top talent. I'll do this bullet/number style to try and keep it succinct. 1) Neither Billy or myself have been informed of some big "commitment day" type of plan here. Now, you can never rule anything out in recruiting, but as of now, none of our sources have indicated that type of stage being set up. 2) All the attention A&M has been getting (and subsequent tweets) is, without a doubt, a clear indicator of where the momentum currently stands in that class. The Aggie coaching and recruiting staff have done a tremendous job of that early on. 3) Capitalizing on the momentum is one thing. Pushing kids to commit before they're ready is another. We've seen the latter come back to bite programs in the region. This has not been a tactic employed by Jimbo Fisher to this point, and I don't think they'll start implementing it now.4) I do believe A&M will kick start their 2022 class with someone from greater Houston. 5) There's legitimate long time friendships and bonds amongst some of the top players in the area. I typically don't lend too much credence to the idea of "package deals" in recruiting due to so much fluidity and changing landscapes throughout a cycle. However, I do think there's some legitimacy to it within the context of the 2022's. 6) In case you needed a refresher, here's a list of guys in Houston that feels like they're being prioritized by the Aggies early on...Katy DE Malick Sylla Atascocita OL Kameron Dewberry CyPark LB Harold Perkins Summer Creek OL Kelvin Banks Dickinson TE Donovan Green Dickinson OL PJ Williams Katy CB Bobby Taylor Ft Bend Marshall WR Chris Marshall ...and I'll even include Beaumont West Brook S Bryce Anderson even though, personally, I think the Golden Triangle is kind of its own deal. 7) The other programs in the area aren't just going to let all those top flight kids come to A&M. You can expect Texas and the new car smell under Sarkisian as well as Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Clemson to all be involved with that aforementioned group in some capacity. 8) One thing that could slow the entire class in terms of timeline is if the NCAA announces a "re-open day", for lack of a better term. If visits are put back into the recruiting calendar, a lot of top prospects may choose to get out and go see a few places before making a decision since they have been stripped of such opportunities for the last 10 months or so. 9) After saying all that, I think you'd much rather be looking at that Houston class from the perch A&M is on than any other recruiting rival in the region. We'll see what all this January momentum turns in to, but as of now, the Aggies look the most poised to do serious business in the state's biggest city.
13 days ago by
Ryan Brauninger
- As you'd imagine, the Aggies have not cooled on their pursuit of CyFair RB LJ Johnson Jr. I was told today that he's spoken to the A&M staff on more than one occasion since the Orange Bowl win on Saturday night. I also know that guys like Bryce Foster, Tunmise Adeleye, Deuce Harmon, and Eli Stowers have all reached out to him in the last 48 hours or so. - I spent all day Sunday hitting some 7 on 7 tryouts in Houston. I spoke directly with a handful of top prospects in the 2022 and 2023 classes, and there were a lot of people at those tryouts talking about the job Jimbo Fisher has done in College Station and the culture he's implemented. One current college player I spoke with out there told me, "There's a night and day difference between what's going on at A&M and what was going on in Austin."- 2022 Ft Bend Marshall WR Chris Marshall was at the Fast Houston tryout, but he was not participating due to a hamstring issue. I spoke with him for a while though. He's extremely close with Devon Achane and was pumped to see him take home the Orange Bowl MVP trophy. He said Devon called him after the game, but he had already gone to bed. So, Chris called him back the next morning and was able to talk about Devon's performance. My gut says Marshall has really sky rocketed up A&M's big board in terms of priority in this next cycle, and the Aggies will have a great chance to grab him. - Interesting note: Port Arthur Memorial CB Jaylon Guilbeau told me he had just gotten off the phone with A&M CB coach TJ Rushing yesterday when he arrived at the Fast Houston event. It doesn't sound like there's too much to get excited about at the moment, but he has not stopped communicating with Rushing or Jimbo Fisher while being committed to Texas. I suspect he'll give Steve Sarkisian a chance to keep him in the Longhorn's 2022 class. - Another Golden Triangle prospect committed elsewhere is Beaumont West Brook S Bryce Anderson who was spectating at the Texas Stars tryout in The Woodlands yesterday. He is still verbally committed to LSU, but he's talking with Texas A&M an awful lot. He's extremely tight with Ish Aristide and loves what the Aggies are building in terms of their defensive culture. Bryce understands football at a high level and is fond of the safety role in Mike Elko's defense. I still believe Texas A&M will be a major player in this recruitment whether Anderson is publically on or off the market. - I also spoke with elite 2023 RB Rueben Owens who released his top 5 last night and included Texas A&M. Owens isn't in a hurry to make a decision and told me he'd probably wait until around this time next year before committing. From talking to people near him, it sounds like A&M and Oklahoma have stood out earlier on with the Sooners using their typical "all out" approach to see if they could grab an early verbal pledge. Based on my knowledge of the situation, I suspect the Aggies to hang around in this one for more than a little while due to their on field success and their recruiting portfolio. - A few more 2023 names that I really liked that I saw yesterday: Beaumont West Brook WR Javon Sorrell - bouncy athlete with huge raw potentialShadow Creek LB Scott Koumado - highly impressive introduction. Early offer candidateStrake Jesuit QB Bryce Fucik - Great frame, clean motion, high IQManvel CB Corey Swiney Jr - physical, sticky young corner prospect- I continue to hear the Aggies are taking a strong look at 2022 Ft Bend Marshall CB Adari Haulcy. This kid's junior tape is very strong. He only allowed 3 catches all season and managed to pick off 7 passes. - Lastly, I've heard there's some mutual interest with 2021 Port Neches-Groves QB Blake Bost and Texas A&M in joining the Aggies as a preferred walk-on. We'll see what happens as Bost does have some lower level offers, but in terms of adding talent as PWOs, that would be a good one.
16 days ago by
Jason Howell
Signees Fri. - Galena Park North Shore (13-0) vs Fort Bend Ridge Point (8-2), 2 p.m. at Galena Park's Galena Park ISD Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - WR Shadrach Banks (Texas A&M), CB Denver Harris (2022), CB Jacoby Davis (2023), QB Dematrius Davis (Auburn), OL Jaeden Roberts (Alabama)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/north-shore-vs-ridge-point-1-1-2021-200pm-football-galena-park-isd-stadium-regional-finals-playoffs/ ($) Sat. - Katy (11-1) vs Clear Falls (8-3), 1 p.m. at Katy's Legacy Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - TE Fernando Garza (Texas A&M - injured), DE Malick Sylla (2022 - injured), DB Bobby Taylor (2022)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/katy-vs-clear-falls-1-2-2021-100pm-football-legacy-stadium-regional-finals-playoffs/ ($) Sat. - Denton Guyer (10-2) vs Prosper (8-3), 1 p.m. at McKinney's McKinney ISD Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - QB Eli Stowers (Texas A&M), CB Deuce Harmon (Texas A&M - injured)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/prosper-high-school-prosper-tx/gamd6fbe0259b ($) Sat. - DeSoto (10-1) vs. Duncanville (9-1), 7:30 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Park - 6A D1 Playoffs - DE Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), WR Johntay Cook (2023), OL Jaylen Early (2022), OL Cameron Williams (2022), DE Omari Abor (2022), OL Savion Byrd (Oklahoma), LB Kendrick Blackshire (Alabama)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gam46d30d88b3 ($) State ChampionsFri. - Miami (FL) Central (8-1) - RB Amari Daniels (Texas A&M), ATH Yulkeith Brown (Texas A&M), LB Terrence Lewis Season CompleteFort Smith Northside (5-5) - Dreyden Norwood (Texas A&M)Fort Collins (CO) Fossil Ridge (3-3) - OL Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M)Grandview (11-1) - ATH Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M)Texarkana Pleasant Grove (9-4) - DL Marcus Burris (Texas A&M), DE Landon Jackson (LSU)La Porte (5-4) - DT Albert Regis (Texas A&M)Beggs (9-3) - S Kendal Daniels (Texas A&M) Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian (7-3) - OL Remington Strickland (Texas A&M)Richmond Foster (7-3) - OL Reuben Fatheree (Texas A&M)Magnolia (10-3) - OL Matthew Wykoff (Texas A&M)Katy Taylor (9-3) - OL Bryce Foster (Texas A&M), OL Hayden Conner (Texas) Not playing this fallKaty Tompkins - DE Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M)Philadelphia (PA) Northeast - CB Tyreek Chappell (Texas A&M), DE Elijah Jeudy, DE Ken Talley (2022 - Penn State)Brooklyn (NY) Erasmus Hall - DE Jahzion Harris (Texas A&M) Prospects of Interest FridayFort Bend Marshall (12-0) vs Crosby (10-3), 1 p.m. at Humble's Turner Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - WR Chris Marshall (2022)Denton Ryan (12-0) vs Highland Park (11-0), 3:15 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Park - 5A D1 Playoffs - CB Austin Jordan (2022), DT Bear Alexander (2022), LB Anthony Hill (2023), DE Ja'tavion Sanders (Texas) Aledo (10-1) vs. Lovejoy (13-0), 7:30 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Park - 5A D2 Playoffs - WR JoJo Earle (Alabama), S Bryan Allen (2022 - LSU) SaturdayCorpus Christi Flour Bluff (11-1) vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (12-0), 4 p.m. at San Antonio's Alamo Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Johnny Dickson (2022) Season Complete Flower Mound Coram Deo (1-6) - DL Jadon Scarlett (2022)West Orange-Stark (8-1) - OL Demetrius Hunter (2022)El Campo (9-2) - RB Rueben Owens (2023)Spearman (11-2) - ATH Brenen Thompson (2022) Lexington (8-4) - S Jarred Kerr (2022)Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (8-1) - RB Emeka Megwa (2022)Plano John Paul II (3-4) - CB Terrance Brooks (2022)Argyle Liberty Christian (2-7) - ATH Cristian Driver (2022)Garland (5-4) - S Chace Biddle (2022), WR Jordan Hudson (2022 - Oklahoma) Frisco Liberty (6-5) - WR Evan Stewart (2022)The Woodlands (5-4) - LB Martrell Harris (2022)Dickinson (6-3) - OL PJ Williams (2022), TE Donovan Green (2022) Cypress Park (6-5) - LB Harold Perkins (2022)Wylie East (1-7) - DE Anthony James (2023)Humble Summer Creek (3-6) - OL Kelvin Banks (2022)Houston Clear Lake (2-6) - CB Julian Humphrey (2022)Cy-Fair (10-2) - RB LJ Johnson JrEl Paso Burges (3-3) - RB Tavorus Jones (2022) Klein Cain (7-3) - RB Jaydon Blue (2022)Beaumont West Brook (5-6) - S Bryce Anderson (2022 - LSU)Arlington Martin (10-2) - DE Ernest Cooper IV (2022)Frisco (8-2) - OL Cole Hutson (2022)Humble Atascocita (7-3) - OL Kameron Dewberry (2022), TE Landen King (Auburn)Allen (10-1) - OL Neto Umeozulu (2022)Walker (LA) (2-6) - WR Brian Thomas Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab (9-2) - S Jardin Gilbert Tallahassee (FL) St. John Paul II (5-4) - S Terrion Arnold Martin (TN) Westview (7-5) - QB Ty Simpson (2022)Edmond (OK) Deer Creek (4-6) - OL Jacob Sexton (2022)Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic (5-1) - DT Tywone Malone
Signing Day Report Card: Evaluating the 2021 Texas A&M recruiting class
With nearly all of the 2021 recruiting class inked, Billy Liucci takes an in-depth look at all the players signed, offers some position grades and looks ahead to what to expect in the 2022 class.
Games of Interest - Dec. 17-19
Signees Thurs. - Galena Park North Shore (11-0) vs Pearland Dawson (10-0), 7 p.m. at Webster's Challenger-Columbia Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - WR Shadrach Banks (Texas A&M), CB Denver Harris (2022), CB Jacoby Davis (2023), QB Dematrius Davis (Auburn), OL Jaeden Roberts Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/north-shore-vs-dawson-12-17-2020-700pm-football-challenger-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Thurs. - Richmond Foster (7-2) vs. Cedar Park (10-0), 7:30 p.m. at Waller's Waller ISD Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Reuben Fatheree (Texas A&M)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/cedar-park-vs-foster-12-17-2020-730pm-football-waller-isd-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Fri. - Miami (FL) Central (7-1) vs. Lake Minneola (11-1) - 6A Championships - 1 pm ET - RB Amari Daniels (Texas A&M), ATH Yulkeith Brown (Texas A&M), LB Terrence Lewis (Tennessee), QB Braden Davis (2022)Stream - https://fhsaa.boxcast.com/#/broadcasts/q0jvnikfars4quzowfbh?channel_id=vhlhvzxbguryburepez8 Fri. - DeSoto (8-1) vs. Rockwall (10-1), 7 p.m. at Prosper's Children's Health Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - DE Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), WR Johntay Cook (2023)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gamf84a95794f ($) Fri. - Katy (9-1) vs Houston Lamar (6-2), 7 p.m. at Katy's Rhodes Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - TE Fernando Garza (Texas A&M - injured), DE Malick Sylla (2022), DB Bobby Taylor (2022)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/lamar-vs-katy-12-18-2020-700pm-football-rhodes-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Fri. - Magnolia (10-1) vs. Frisco Lone Star (6-3), 7:30 p.m. at Corsicana's Tiger Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Matthew Wykoff (Texas A&M)Stream - https://www.texanlive.com/2020/12/frisco-lonestar-vs-magnolia-12-18-2020-730pm-football-tiger-stadium-area-round-playoffs/ ($) Sat. - Denton Guyer (8-2) vs Arlington (5-5), 3:15 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - QB Eli Stowers (Texas A&M), CB Deuce Harmon (Texas A&M - injured)Stream - https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gam069b8c2a16 ($) Season CompleteFort Smith Northside (5-5) - Dreyden Norwood Fort Collins (CO) Fossil Ridge (3-3) - OL Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M - injured)Texarkana Pleasant Grove (9-4) - DL Marcus Burris (Texas A&M - injured), DE Landon Jackson (LSU - injured)La Porte (5-4) - DT Albert Regis (Texas A&M)Beggs (9-3) S Kendal Daniels (Texas A&M) Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian (7-3) - OL Remington Strickland (Texas A&M) Grandview (11-1) - ATH Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M - unsigned)Not playing this fallKaty Tompkins - DE Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M)Philadelphia (PA) Northeast - CB Tyreek Chappell (Texas A&M), DE Elijah Jeudy, DE Ken Talley (2022 - Penn State)Brooklyn (NY) Erasmus Hall - DE Jahzion Harris (Texas A&M) Prospects of Interest ThursdayLewisville (7-3) vs Arlington Martin (9-1), 7 p.m. at North Richland Hills' Birdville Fine Arts/Athletics Complex - 6A D1 Playoffs - WR Armani Winfield (2022), DE Ernest Cooper IV (2022)Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (9-1) vs. San Antonio Southside (9-1), 7 p.m. at San Antonio's Alamo Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - OL Johnny Dickson (2022) FridayCy-Fair (10-1) vs Katy Tompkins (9-0), 6 p.m. at Katy's Legacy Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - RB LJ Johnson Jr, QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama)El Paso Burges (3-2) vs Wichita Falls Rider (8-2), 6:30 p.m. at Odessa's Ratliff Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - RB Tavorus Jones (2022) Allen (9-0) vs South Grand Prairie (7-2), 7 p.m. at Arlington's Globe Life Park - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Neto Umeozulu (2022)Klein Cain (7-2) vs. Spring Westfield (7-1), 7 p.m. at Spring's Planet Ford Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - RB Jaydon Blue (2022)Humble Atascocita (6-2) vs Pearland (8-2), 7 p.m. at Houston's Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Kameron Dewberry (2022), TE Landen King (Auburn)Katy Taylor (8-2) vs. Houston Heights (7-1), 7 p.m. at Houston's Delmar Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - OL Bryce Foster, OL Hayden Conner (Texas) Denton Ryan (10-0) vs College Station (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Waco's Waco ISD Stadium - 5A D1 Playoffs - CB Austin Jordan (2022), DT Bear Alexander (2022), LB Anthony Hill (2023), DE Ja'tavion Sanders (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall (10-0) vs Montgomery (8-3), 7 p.m. at Porter's Randall Reed Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - WR Chris Marshall (2022)Beaumont West Brook (5-5) vs Clear Falls (6-3), 7 p.m. at Galena Park's Galena Park ISD Stadium - 6A D2 Playoffs - S Bryce Anderson (2022 - LSU)Frisco (7-1) vs. South Oak Cliff (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dallas' Kincaide Stadium - 5A D2 Playoffs - OL Cole Hutson (2022) SaturdayDuncanville (7-1) vs. Dallas Skyline (5-4), 2 p.m. at Dallas' Kincaide Stadium - 6A D1 Playoffs - OL Jaylen Early (2022), OL Cameron Williams (2022), DE Omari Abor (2022), OL Savion Byrd (Oklahoma), LB Kendrick Blackshire (Alabama) Season Complete Flower Mound Coram Deo (1-6) - DL Jadon Scarlett (2022)West Orange-Stark (8-1) - OL Demetrius Hunter (2022)El Campo (9-2) - RB Rueben Owens (2023)Spearman (11-2) - ATH Brenen Thompson (2022) Lexington (8-4) - S Jarred Kerr (2022)Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (8-1) - RB Emeka Megwa (2022)Plano John Paul II (3-4) - CB Terrance Brooks(2022)Argyle Liberty Christian (2-7) - ATH Cristian Driver (2022)Garland (5-4) - S Chace Biddle (2022), WR Jordan Hudson (2022 - Oklahoma) Frisco Liberty (6-5) - WR Evan Stewart (2022)The Woodlands (5-4) - LB Martrell Harris (2022 - injured)Dickinson (6-3) - OL PJ Williams (2022), TE Donovan Green (2022) Cypress Park (6-5) - LB Harold Perkins (2022)Wylie East (1-7) - DE Anthony James (2023)Humble Summer Creek (3-6) - OL Kelvin Banks (2022)Houston Clear Lake (2-6) - CB Julian Humphrey (2022)Walker (LA) (2-6) - WR Brian Thomas Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab (9-2) - S Jardin Gilbert Tallahassee (FL) St. John Paul II (5-4) - S Terrion Arnold Martin (TN) Westview (7-5) - QB Ty Simpson (2022)Edmond (OK) Deer Creek (4-6) - OL Jacob Sexton (2022)Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic (5-1) - DT Tywone Malone
