Jamon Dumas-Johnson

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.

Last night the Aggies made the cut for Philadelphia (PA) Northeast DE Elijah Jeudy and CB Tyreek Chappell. These two are not necessarily a package deal, but they have played together since the 6th grade, they have a great chemistry, and playing together on the college level is something that would interest both. Chappell has yet to visit Texas A&M, but he did play in the Madden tournament, he loves the weather and the coaches, and he also has family in the Dallas-area. St. James (LA) defensive end Saivion Jones has been speaking with coach Terry Price on a regular basis. The two are starting to build a strong bond with TP sending a few BBQ pics out to the Louisiana standout. Jones has not visited anywhere outside of Louisiana yet, and LSU is going to be a tough one to beat. However, in talking with a source down in Louisiana the Aggies seem to be gaining some ground. I spoke to a few sources on some top linebackers and the Aggies are very involved with some heavy hitters. Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha LB Greg Penn named Texas A&M in his Final 6. Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina also made the cut. He planned to get to College Station before the coronavirus canceled everything, but I look for him to make a trip once the dead period is over. Baltimore (MD) St. Frances LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna LB Terrence Lewis also named the Aggies to their top lists and the Aggies are very much in the mix. Several other LBs were planning to check out the Aggies this spring. Dallas (GA) Paulding Co LB Smael Mondon, Charlotte (NC) Hough LB Kaci Seegars, and Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas LB Jaydon Hood all had spring visits planned for Texas A&M. I'm told by sources out in Georgia that Mondon has been a tough read when it comes to his leaders, but the good news for Texas A&M is he has been in consistent communication with coach Santucci, coach Elko, and coach Fisher. Kaci Seegars recently added offers from Missouri, Kansas State, and NC State, but the Aggies continue to be in a great spot thanks in large part to the relationship he has formed with coach Santucci the last few years. In fact, I've heard from some sources the Aggies may hold the lead. He spoke with Santucci this week and he says he definitely plans to visit when the dead period ends. Hood says he is in regular contact with the Aggies and coach Santucci. The two have built a strong bond and he has hit it off well with the Texas A&M linebacker coach. He planned to take several visits this spring, so he has been hitting the virtual tour circuit. Of all the virtual experiences so far he gave highest marks to Minnesota's virtual tour. Kendrick Blackshire and Terrence Cooks are the two uncommitted in-state prospects holding Texas A&M offers and in talking to different sources the Aggies remain in good position with both. If you are looking for a couple of in-state LBs without offers to keep an eye on there are two DFW prospects who come to mind. One is South Oak Cliff LB Jaydon Williams. He is a twitchy undersized prospect, around 185-pounds, but he did visit this spring and he has been one of the hotter prospects in Texas this spring. He just picked up an offer from Texas yesterday. Another in-state guy to keep an eye on is Arlington Martin LB Morice Blackwell. He has been in contact with coach Santucci and the two continue to get to know each other. Blackwell stands in at about 6-foot-1, 200, and has some great tape. An out of state guy I really like is Jonesboro (AR) LB Marco Avant. He just committed to Arkansas and he does not have an offer yet, but he has visited and he fell in love with College Station on his trip. He may be a name to tuck away for later.