Notes and Thoughts from the All-American Bowl
I spent the last few days in San Antonio at the All-American Bowl and as I head back to DFW I wanted to share a few thoughts and wrap up my experience.Let's start with the final few spots in the 2020 class. This week I had the chance to see a few of Texas A&M's final few targets. Covington (LA) LB Edgerrin Cooper's plans will be known on Saturday. He will choose between Texas A&M, Utah, and LSU, and he has already signed his LOI. In San Antonio this week, the Aggies seemed to have most of the buzz, and I'll go ahead and say my prediction is he picks the Aggies. He took his final OV to Texas A&M, and it seemed to make a genuine impression on him. I would say Utah is the Aggie's biggest competition.Lucedale (MS) George County DT McKinnley Jackson is the highest profile of Texas A&M's final targets and it is clear coach Fisher, coach Elijah Robinson, and several members of the class have bonded really well. He has already taken OVs to Auburn and Alabama, and LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M are currently slotted to get his final OVs in January. He continues to keep everyone guessing. I like the Aggies chances but I would not call the Aggies his favorite or anything like that. Ole Miss did take a hit when coach Luke was fired, and since Luke is at UGA the Bulldogs are trying to get in the mix. The Bulldogs are currently outside of his top five and right now he does not plan to take an OV there but you can never count out UGA. LSU and Alabama are probably the two biggest threats to the Aggies right now, but I have a feeling this thing is going to be up in the air until he puts pen to paper. The final possibility is Mobile (AL) St. Paul OL Brady Ward. He is a big guy with some potential and he has seen things pick up a bit over the last few months. He says he plans to take OVs to Texas A&M and Miami in January and he will sign in February. Florida could also receive a January OV too. Honestly, I don't see Ward at A&M, I just don't think the numbers will work out there. The buzz seemed to be around Miami this week, but I wouldn't count out Florida. Another program to watch is Auburn. He connected with Chad Morris when he was at Arkansas and he continues to talk to Morris' son Chandler. If the Tigers come through with an offer I could see them becoming a player. Now for some stuff on the Aggies signees. All of them have been impressive and have been recognized throughout the week as standouts. Yesterday, Muhsin Muhammad III jumped out to me. He runs smooth, crisp routes and makes quick adjustments to the ball. He does not mind getting physical either. He lined up both inside and outside throughout yesterday's practice and even worked on punt and kickoff return. LB Antonio Doyle is the most vocal of the Aggie bunch. He has been a lot of fun to watch if for nothing else just because he really seems to be enjoying himself. He hardly ever comes off the field during LB drills. He's working at MLB and OLB in the West's 4-3 and he has done a great job of grasping the defense and making the calls. Physically he's also pretty imposing and he has been a consistently strong competitor on the field.S Antonio Johnson has been the biggest standout of the Aggie bunch since arriving in San Antonio. His range and instincts at safety have been impressive and he will absolutely lay the wood when he comes to lower the boom. DE Donell Harris has also been a big standout. His speed and quickness have been well known, but he has shown a variety of moves and more strength and power in his game this week. Both Johnson and Muhammad are heading to College Station right after the game to begin their careers at Texas A&M. Overall Texas A&M's group has shined very bright over the first few days in San Antonio.Now for a few thoughts after seeing some of these national names for the first time.Notre Dame WR signee Jordan Johnson was the most impressive WR I saw while out there. He had DBs twisting and turning, created separation, caught contested balls. He did a little bit of everything. The Irish got a good one.Five-star CB Kelee Ringo was the most dominating defender in one-on-ones yesterday. He is a big, physical DB, and I don't think I saw him lose a rep yesterday.LB Noah Sewell is just different. I think TexAgs is going to look real smart for putting DE Alfred Collins in the top 5. That dude has such a high ceiling and he is already really good.Ohio State signee OL Paris Johnson is has been my favorite OL at this event. Big framed, flexible, strong, and light on his feet. Alright, that's all I got. I'm headed back to DFW.
Around the SEC: Recruiting news and trends
It's time to take a look around at the biggest pick-ups on the recruiting front as well as some of the top recruiting news and notes from around the SEC. Jason Howell details that and more in this week's Around the SEC.
Monday night recruiting notes on some key names
- I'll start with the Ft Bend Marshall duo of Malik Hornsby and Devon Achane. A pair of sources in Missouri City have expressed to me that Hornsby might be on the outs with North Carolina. It sounds like Tar Heel OC Phil Longo has different plans for Malik than maybe his lead recruiter did. Last weekend, Achane took an official visit to North Carolina by himself...meaning his mother (who's going to be a big part of his decision making process) and Hornsby did not accompany him to Chapel Hill. One of my contacts said the trip for Achane was nice, but in the end, he doesn't see UNC as a viable landing spot for Achane. On the A&M front, it sounds like Devon and his mom will be in College Station in late July for the Aggies' end of the summer recruiting event. - An east Texas source tells me tonight that members of the A&M staff are set to speak with Longview QB Haynes King on the phone as the highly touted signal caller moves closer to a decision. Tennessee has not let up here and still serves as the Ags' prime competitor. I did have a source tell me that, in terms of what Haynes is looking for development wise, there's no question the advantage lies with the Aggies. I'm still giving A&M the edge on this one, but because this one has been played close to the vest, it's really tough to be highly confident in that pick. - Just to back up Jason's report from earlier today, I've also been told by a different source to expect Memphis (TN) OL Chris Morris back in town for the late July recruiting event.- I'm still not ready to go all-in on Vernon Broughton to A&M, but my confidence is growing. It's sort of similar to the Derrick Hunter recruitment last cycle in that, from what I've heard after asking around, a few schools feel like they have reason to believe he'll pick them, but the one consistent team I hear is Texas A&M. - Received a pair of reports earlier today that indicated Texas has taken the lead for Bastrop Cedar Creek DE Alfred Collins. The good news for A&M is that I don't think Collins will make a decision any time soon, and the Aggies will get him and Princely Umanmielen in for an OV during the Bama game weekend. - It looks like many of the A&M cornerback targets are lining up decisions that first week of July. Joseph Johnson and Joshuah Moten are announcing their choices on July 2nd with Josh Eaton expected to make his choice on July 4th. A report out of Virginia I received today indicated that the Aggies still maintain the advantage for Johnson. If you look at the upcoming depth chart down the road, I think it would behoove the Aggies to load up with cover men in this class if they can close with the guys they really want. - Staying in Virginia, I spoke with a source near highly touted 2021 Virginia Beach CB Tony Grimes who made another trip to Aggieland last week. Tony and his crew were actually going to come by TexAgs before they headed out, but they stayed on campus longer than expected. My source said the Grimes' crew had an absolute blast with the A&M staff and players. "They love that place. Real talk," was one of the quotes I got. Every time I reach out to folks near Tony, I get the same response in regards to their visits to Aggieland and their affinity for the coaching staff. A&M has positioned themselves very well early on for one of the premier national prospects in that class. - I also was able to catch up with recent 2021 RB offer LJ Johnson Jr out of CyFair to get his thoughts on A&M after he spent the day camping with the Aggie staff earlier this month. "Coach Fisher was the one who made me the offer. He said he really liked my combination of speed, size, and burst the most. My favorite part of the day though was just seeing the campus and the facilities.""The entire atmosphere around the camp was great. Every one was competing and pushing each other. I liked that the coaches were coaching us hard and trying to get the best out of us."- Reminder that we are keeping an eye on the commitment decision from Smyrna (TN) DT Dallas Walker that is going to happen tomorrow at the Rivals 5 Star challenge in Atlanta.
Recruiting rundown - Monday evening
- Got another report today indicating A&M did a home run job with Memphis (TN) OL Chris Morris. He was in touch with the Aggie staff again this morning after wrapping his visit last weekend. If you're asking me, I think Morris is probably the out of state offensive prospect with the most Maroon & White mojo behind him right now. I'm not totally sure of a timetable at this point, but I feel comfortable putting the Aggies in the Cat Bird's seat currently. - If you're looking for an out of state defender with the most Aggie momentum, I'd probably go with Camden (NJ) DE Fadil Diggs. Elijah Robinson, Terry Price, and Mike Elko have put in some serious work for one of the more highly regarded pass rushers on the east coast. Per a couple of sources, Diggs still plans to be in College Station this weekend with his mother. I heard today that they'll likely be in town Friday night. - Both Jason and I are hearing there's still work to be done with Athens OL Garrett Hayes. We don't feel like it's something that can't be overcome, but A&M entered the race from behind and is having to play catch up. - 2019 commits Braedon Mowry and Josh Ellison have their official visits scheduled for the weekend. - We'll put out our full visitor list this week, but here's who we've got coming in as official visitors:CB commit Jaylon Jones Charlotte (NC) WR Muhsin Muhammad III St Louis (MO) WR Jordan Johnson - Notre Dame - I'd probably mark this one down as a maybe seeing as how he recently committed to NDOak Park (MI) ATH Maliq Carr Carr is a new name to most Aggie fans, and it looks like he fits that Jalen Wydermyer mold. He's 6-4 and nearing 240 pounds, but he's an exceptional athlete and very skilled down the field. - A&M commits Demond Demas and Josh Bankhead will be in town this weekend to help the Aggies recruiting efforts. - Pleasant Grove DE Landon Jackson should be in town this weekend, as well. Considered one of the top defensive players in that class, Jackson has A&M ties but hasn't been on campus in a while. It was important that the Aggie staff get him back on campus.
2020 St. Louis (MO) WR Jordan Johnson prepares for official visits
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet Jesuit WR Jordan Johnson is ready to hit the road. Next weekend he will be in College Station for his official visit to Texas A&M. The 6-2, 180-pound receiver discussed his visit plans, his decision timeline, as well as his trip to Texas A&M.