Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Around the state of Texas, decisions are being made, visits are being taken, and offers are being extended as recruiting never stops in this great state. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star state recruiting front.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
Around the state of Texas, decisions are being made, visits are being taken, and offers are being extended as recruiting never stops in this great state. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star state recruiting front.
Wednesday Recruiting notes and stuff
A few recruiting NotesIt should come as no surprise the Aggies made the cut for Denton Ryan 2022 DT Bear Alexander as he released his top 16. It has been said here, but I'll say it again, I expect the Aggies to be in the thick of this one to the end. Coach Elijah Robinson has made Alexander a top priority since Alexander's freshman year and the two have formed quite the bond. Alexander has also said several times the Aggies are high on his list and we know he has been watching the Aggies do their thing on the field this fall. It's still very early for a prediction, but right now I do like the Aggies' chances to win out in the end. So buckle up and stay tuned. https://twitter.com/BearAlexander_/status/1340764155423449093?s=20Spearman (TX) 2022 speedster Brenen Thompson is announcing his top 12 schools tonight at 7 pm. Texas A&M has been keeping in close communication and have let it be known he is a high priority. I haven't been told one way or the other if A&M will make the list but I do like Texas A&M's chances to make the cut today.Brauny has been saying to keep an eye on LSU 2022 S commit Bryce Anderson, and now I am saying to LSU 2022 S commit Bryan Allen is worth watching. Even before the latest coaching changes at LSU, Texas A&M has been keeping in touch with Allen. Texas A&M was very high on him before his LSU commitment and they never let up, but he has been pretty locked in with the Tigers. I am now hearing from DFW sources the Aggies definitely have his attention and that consistent communication, his relationship with the coaches, and the Aggies' play on the field are all playing part in his interest. So go ahead and put Allen down as a guy to watch.Put North Crowley 2022 DE Aaron Austin down as a name to know. He picked up his first two offers from New Mexico and SMU in the last two days and I think his stock is about to see quite an uptick. His new tape shows some violence in the trenches at a legit 6-3, 250. I saw him at a Trench Warfare Showcase in August and he caught my eye. Here's what I had to say then."DL Aaron Austin, North Crowley (2022) 6-3, 250 and he has the look of one of those hybrid DLs we have grown to love. He is quick off the ball, he has long arms, already has a stout build, and he showed well on Saturday."All he did since then was help lead a stout North Crowley defense and played a big role in guiding North Crowley to a 7-4 record and its first playoff win in 17 years. He finished with 49 tackles, 4 sacks, and 10 TFLs in 10 game. Below are his highlights and I recommend watching them.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13123881/5f7b3a66dfe23909e4e72932A few thoughts from the state championshipsThere was not a lot of recruiting news to be had from the 4A-2A State Championships this year, but there were a couple of guys who caught my attention.Let's talk about the football family known as the Brooks. 2023 ATH Dalton Brooks is one guy who really caught my eye this year and he may very well end up the best prospect of this Brooks family. He is a weapon all over the field on offense and defense and he's a factor on special teams. He has good size at 6-1, 175, and athleticism to go with all that versatility. Definitely put him down as a name to know. He already holds offers from Texas and Arkansas.As for his brother, 2022 DT Doug Brooks, I really love as a player. I mean he is a boss for Shiner. A true-blue stud. That said, I see him as a tweener prospect at 6-foot, 265, and I don't see him as a DT at big P5. He has a Houston offer and I think that's the level he's going to end up playing. Now for their cousin, Hallettsville 2021 RB and Texas signee Jonathon Brooks. I have to say I was very impressed. He runs with great vision and balance and he was tough, tough, tough. We have him ranked No. 73 in the state and I could make a good case for him to be bumped up another 20 or so spots. Good get for the Longhorns. Carthage LB Kip Lewis made plays all over the field for Carthage and he showed well in coverage. He flies to the ball and he packs a punch when he gets there. Good size at 6-3, 200. Very intriguing ball player with speed and instincts. I think FBS interest will find him very soon. Franklin 2023 ATH Bryson Washington did not disappoint. Great size and athleticism for a young guy and he played well on both sides of the ball. There's no doubt in my mind he has a D1 future.Gilmer 2023 ATH Rohan Fluellen also caught my attention. 5-11, 170 he was a fluid athlete and made plays on both sides of the ball. He scored both of Gilmer's early touchdowns and was a presence on defense and special teams. My final 4A-2A and private school prediction results4A D1 Argyle - win4A D2 - West Orange-Stark -Let's make that Carthage - easy call, should've been my first call3A D1 Brock - They knocked out Brock and are rolling so I'm going Jim Ned - held on3A D2 Canadian - pulled it out2A D1 Refugio Give me Shiner - yep2A D2 Mart got to the title game but Windthorst pulled off the upset specialTAPPS D1 - Fort Worth Nolan Catholic - They got to the ship but Parish Epsicopal pulled out the rematchTAPPS D2 - Dallas Christian - Made it to the ship Austin Regents knocked them offSo not so well. I had five original picks make the title game and went 2-3 with the TAPPS schools brearking my heart and Mart getting upset. I went 3-0 in my re-picks after WOS, Refugio, and Brock were knocked out, so there's a silver lining I guess.Original picks - 2-7Revised picks - 5-4Let's see how I'm doing in 6A and 5AThrough the first two rounds only three of my semifinalists have been knocked off, but one of those was Ennis. Are you kidding me Ennis, you were supposed to win state. So here's what we are looking at and I have revised my picks on those who were knocked out. 6A D1 Region I: Arlington MartinRegion II: DuncanvilleRegion III: North ShoreRegion IV: WestlakeChampionship Game: Duncanville, North ShoreChamp: Galena Park North Shore6A D2 Region I: Denton GuyerRegion II: Cedar HillRegion III: KatyRegion IV: Converse Judson VandegriftChampionship Game: Cedar Hill, KatyChamp: Cedar Hill5A D1 Region I: Amarillo Tascosa Lubbock CoronadoRegion II: Denton RyanRegion III: ManvelRegion IV: Flour BluffChampionship Game: Denton Ryan, ManvelChamp: Denton Ryan5A D2 Region I: Lubbock CooperRegion II: Ennis - AledoRegion III: FB MarshallRegion IV: Liberty HillChampionship Game: Ennis Aledo, FB MarshallChamp: Ennis AledoEnjoy your Wednesday
A few Wednesday notes and thoughts
*It's not over til it's over attitude - This is not a unique attitude to Jimbo Fisher and his staff, but it is an attitude the Aggies have on the recruiting front. It is also why I always emphasize the fact there is a long way to go when a guy Texas A&M has prioritized seems to start leaning elsewhere. It does not mean it always works out in A&M's favor, but it does mean they don't quit even when things look bleak. There have also been several instances it has played out well. Here's a few from the last few years-When DL Bobby Brown was all but done with A&M and fully committed to Alabama with less than a month before signing day in 2018-When LB Antonio Doyle committed to Mizzou ahead of the 2019 season-When Donell Harris looked like he was all but headed to LSU and then to Florida in the 2020 class-When Akinola Ogunbiyi was committed to Georgia -McKinnley Jackson, Derick Hunter, and several others* LJ Johnson Jr - Does Texas have some momentum? Yes. But, let's not freak out over a few crystal balls. I look for the Aggies to continue to work and remain in the fight for a long time. Coach Fisher and RB coach Tommie Robinson have established a good bond there. You guys know I see Johnson as one of the top priorities for the Aggies in the 2021 cycle, and.losing out on him would be not be ideal. But like I said, there are still plenty of reasons I could see the Aggies being able to swing the momentum back in their favor.*A few guys I could see being offered - I don't have many guys in the 2021 class. I could see OL Cole Carson being a guy to watch though. He has had coach Henson's eye since before the offers started to roll in and before he committed to Arkansas. I've also mentioned Denton Guyer OL Gabe Blair before too. Blair is one of my personal favorites - smart, nasty, strong - but he's on the short side and projects inside as opposed to the OT he's played the last few years at Guyer. If the Aggies look for an interior spot, I could see these guys getting a hard look. In 2022 Brauny has talked about QBs Cade Klubnik and Conner Weigman and LB Justin Medlock. Those would probably be my next in-state 2022s. *A few guys I would like to see offered - I'm beating the drum for DeSoto DT Byron Murphy II (Baylor commit), Austin LBJ S Andrew Mukuba, and Dallas Kimball RB Brandon Epton (SMU commit). Murphy is a wrecking ball in the middle. Mukuba is a smart, rangy, aggressive player on the backend. Epton has a good size, a solid build, and he can be an every down back and contribute on special teams.*A few standouts I've seen recently - I was at the Trench Warfare camp on Saturday and here's a few guys who stood out to me.-OL Lajuan Owens, Keller Fossil Ridge (2023) His feet jumped out to me. He was dancing out there during 1-on-1s and he has some long arms and a nasty streak. He tossed a few guys to the ground with ease.-OL Zavier Leonard, Arlington Sam Houston (2021) at 6-4, 293, Leonard has a flat belly, he's athletic, and he's raw. This is a guy with high P5 potential if he can put the right kind of tape down in 2020.-OL Hunter Erb, Haslet Eaton (2022) big framed, long arms, bends well, light on his feet. I'm quickly becoming a fan. His time will come.-OL Jackson Newville, Allen (2022) mean and nasty and he plays through the echo of the whistle. He trains with former Texas A&M standout Patrick Lewis.-OL Noah Ponce, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (2023) he's a bit undersized at 6-1, but he is smart and plays with great technique. He's one to watch in that 2023 class.-DE Caleb Mitchell, DeSoto (2024) I know I have mentioned him before, but he is twitchy off the edge and he has people buzzing down in DeSoto.-DL Kaleb James, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (2023) strong, lean, big framed, I could see him developing into a DT as he continues to grow. -DL Aaron Austin, North Crowley (2022) 6-3, 250 and he has the look of one of those hybrid DLs we have grown to love. He is quick off the ball, he has long arms, already has a stout build, and he showed well on Saturday.