Three Things: Dead period extended, 2021s going under the radar & more
TexAgs' senior recruiting analyst Jason Howell shares another edition of his weekly recruiting thoughts, this week focusing on the NCAA's decision to extend the recruiting dead period, COV1D-19 causing 2021 prospects to go under the radar & more.
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.
Five 2021s I think would have blown up this spring and summer
COVID-19 wiped out spring practices, the spring evaluation period, and most camps and combines. That means there are still several under the radar 2021s out there. These are a few guys I saw in my recent travels who have the potential to see their recruiting process take off once college coaches have a chance to see them again. LB Ca'lub Holloway, Fort Worth South Hills - Holloway checks in at 215 pounds and he stands in right around 6-2. From the start of camp he stood out. During drills he was light on his feet and he is explosive and twitchy. His change of direction and burst out of breaks was quick to draw attention. The knock is he can be too aggressive and it got him into trouble during coverage drills. However, his athleticism allows him to clean things up. He has offers from Lamar, Illinois State, and New Mexico but this is one guy I have no doubt saying deserves a P5 look. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9778709/5d9f9c83041e3716dcd3f17fhttps://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1277009852234162178?s=20OL Zavier Leonard, Arlington Sam Houston - When the 6-4, 265-pound Leonard walked into the Trench Warfare camp in May, every media member and coach stood up and took notice. He was a little light in the seat, but he showed light feet, knee bend, and a fierce streak at camp. The tape shows a raw prospect, but he was limited to two games as a junior and was making the move from DE/TE to OT. He has put in a lot of work this offseason and he has the frame to build on. Since camp he has continued to add good weight and he currently checks in at 280 pounds. He is a high upside prospect I can see developing into a big time player. Right now his only scholarship offer is from Southwestern Oklahoma State. He is a full qualifier and he received interest from the likes of North Texas and SMU early in the spring. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11081843/5de0833bab926213a827dc24OL Yakiri Walker, DeSoto - At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Walker served as a punishing guard for the Eagle offense. His height makes him more of an interior guy, but he has high level athleticism and bend. He also looks the part. He has little bad weight on his frame and plenty of room for growth. He could project to a number of positions in the trenches including center. He is currently committed to UConn, but I can see several schools trying to pry him away in the fall. He also holds offers from Kansas, Toledo, Charlotte, Air Force, Navy, New Mexico, New Mexico State, and Missouri State.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10953743/5ddce3ecb01a690ea0eaf27eS Zion Washington, Frisco Reedy - At 6-2, 200, Washington is a guy I could easily see as a P5 player. His recruiting has not taken off for one big issue, a lack of varsity tape on defense. He spent last fall at receiver and he made the move to safety this spring. He will pass the eyeball test everywhere he goes and he was one of my favorites at the Coach O/Coach Flight DB clinic earlier this year. Over the years he has played QB, WR, and S. So far TCU, Wyoming, Rice, Abilene Christian, Bryant, and SFA are showing the most interesthttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/9960195/5dd357f10c53730d001bec3chttps://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1272229467067383817?s=20The next guy I have not seen in person, but he has verified height weight and other measurements from a recent camp.TE Austin Smith, El Maton Tidehaven - 6-foot-5, check. 215 pounds, check. 6-5.5 wingspan, 36-inch vertical, check and check. Austin Smith spent most of his time split out at receiver and recorded 280 yards and 6 TDs on 12 receptions in six games. He is also a track and basketball guy. On the hardwood he plays everywhere from point to center and he is a small forward during AAU season. In track he competes in the 4x1, 4x2, and the 200. He has yet to receive an offer but Wyoming, Tulane, Incarnate Word, and SMU are among those showing the most interest.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12294990/5de1691a4deb1113b06873dehttps://twitter.com/thtsaustin/status/1275555401912680451?s=20
Friday afternoon recruiting notes
I went to the Trench Warfare camp today and had a chance to catch up with a few guys.A few recruiting notesDeSoto 2021 DL Shemar Turner did not participate but he was looking on today. He's checking in at about 270-pounds and he looks like he is in great shape. He plans to announce a top five soon, like the next week or so, and the Aggies are in prime position to make that list. I would not say anyone is a frontrunner but the Aggies have set themselves up nicely in this one. Coach Fisher and coach Price have formed a strong relationships. He talks often to coach Price and he looks forward to some of TP's BBQ once things open back up. He is also well aware of the strong DeSoto-A&M connection with guys like Von Miller and Tony Jerrod-Eddie going from DeSoto to A&M to the NFL. We'll have more later but the Aggies are in this one and I expect them to be remain in this one.Arlington Bowie 2022 OL Devon Campbell was the only other prospect there with a Texas A&M offer. He has seen his stock skyrocket this winter and spring and has gone from zero offers to 24. He's checking in at 6-3.5, 280 and he has talked to coach Henson a few times. He is taking his time with recruiting and has not declared any leaders. Texas and LSU are two schools he says are getting after him the hardest. Honestly it is still early but I would give the edge to Texas right now. He didn't say that but the Longhorns were on him very early and they are one of two schools he said were showing the most attention. I don't get the feeling he's getting ready to make any decisions or anything, but looking at this one that's just what my gut is telling me.I also got a chance to see a few top 2022s go through some drillsCampbell was the most dominating OL. He was strong from beginning to end. He lined up at tackle and his athleticism quickly jumps out. He has great bend and a strong punch, and he does a great job of being aggressive and under control at the same time. Very impressive. I see him as more of an interior prospect but he can go.Highland Park DE Jack Curtis stood out at 6-4, 220. His grandfather is Donny Anderson who was a RB for the Packers in Super Bowl I and II. His get off is quick and he has a variety of moves in his arsenal. He plays with leverage and great hands. He has offers from Hawaii, Buffalo, and Illinois State and I look for that list to grow.Allen OL Neto Umeozulu was one of the more intimidating prospects in attendance. He stood out at 6-4, 290. He rotated in at Allen as a sophomore tackle and he looks primed for a breakout season in 2020. Arlington OL Jacob Waller was one of the more athletic, versatile OLs of the day. He lined up at OC, OG, and OT for Arlington and at 6-5, 265 he doesn't have much bad weight too him. As he continues to develop his strength I think he could be one to watch. He won every match-up in one-on-ones and he looked good doing it. Right now he has not heard from any schools. Haslet Eaton OL Hunter Erb had some nice moments too and Dallas Parish Episcopal OL Caden Kitler also showed some nice athleticism.In the 2021 class Arlington Sam Houston OL Zavier Leonard is a sleeper to watch. He looks the part and moves very well. He's very much on the raw side but he could be interesting to watch as a senior. He's a guy who draws attention when he walks in the door as a big framed, lean and mean 6-4, 265.
