DFW Rundown: Metroplex remains high-priority area for Texas A&M
As a priority recruiting ground for in-state programs, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the most talent-rich areas in the country. Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher have experienced great recruiting success in DFW over the years and could do so again in 2024.
Game Thread: UA All American Game (4 PM, ESPN2)
We'll use this thread to provide updates and thoughts on the Under Armour All American game that will start in a little less than an hour on ESPN2. Here's a list of Texas natives who will be in the game:Team Phantom2 - Johntay Cook - Texas4 - Malik Muhammad - Texas5 - David Hicks - Texas A&M9 - Ashton Porter - uncommitted 14 - Javien Toviano - LSU 17 - Bravion Rogers - Texas A&M Team Speed1 - Ashton Cozart - Oregon3 - Noble Johnson - Clemson 6 - Jaquaize Pettaway - Oklahoma8 - Jalen Hale - Alabama9 - Jordan Renaud - Alabama11 - Jackson Arnold - Oklahoma 14 - Braylon James - Notre Dame 21 - Ryan Yaites - LSU 22 - Peyton Bowen - Oklahoma
Recruiting news and notes, and a rankings update
The Aggies are gearing up for a big weekend, and I know you guys will be excited to hear 5-star LB and Texas A&M commit Anthony Hill will be back in College Station this weekend. It will be his first trip back to College Station since his official visit in September when the Aggies hosted Miami. The Aggies are also set to host key offensive line target and New Orleans standout Caden Jones. Both confirmed their plans to me this week. The Aggies will also host LB Tausili Akana and DL Johnny Bowens on OVs this weekend In the 2024 class standout Lake Cormorant (MS) DL Kamarion Franklin plans to be in College Station this weekend. It will be a return visit for the nationally recruited defender and the Aggies continue to make themselves a strong contender in his recruitment. Tyler High RB/ATH Derrick McFall also announced his plans to visit College Station this weekend. We are currently working on the visitor list and will have it out later today as usual. It sounds like it is shaping up to be another quality visit weekend in Aggieland. In other news, TCU has been working hard to get Texas A&M CB commit Jayvon Thomas' attention, and there have been talks of a potential visit, possibly even this weekend. This is something to monitor, but those same sources do indicate the Aggies are in a strong position and would likely remain that way even if he does visit TCU for many reasons including being able to stay in Texas and play in the SEC, the Aggie Network, and A&M's smaller town location. Thomas also really enjoyed himself last weekend while in College Station, and he is already in the process of scheduling his Texas A&M OV. He plans to graduate in December. Ryan and I also updated the 2023 and 2024 rankings and added a few names to the 2025 watch list (I know there are numbers but they are listed in alphabetical order. Sorry for any confusion). The Top 5 saw some shake up with Denton Guyer standout Peyton Bowen and Jackson Arnold earning five-star status. Texas A&M commit David Hicks holds onto the top spot with Texas A&M LB commit Anthony Hill at No. 2. Bowen arrives at No. 3, followed by El Campo RB Rueben Owens at No. 4, and Arnold at No. 5. Arlington Martin DB Javien Toviano rounds out the five-star prospects at No. 6. Texas A&M commit and Westlake standout OL TJ Shanahan made his top 10 debut this cycle and is the No. 1 OL in Texas at No. 8, while Westlake DE Colton Vasek also makes his top 10 debut at No. 10. Wide receivers Johntay Cook (No. 7) and Jalen Hale (No. 9) also maintained their top 10 status. Other big movers include WR Jaden Greathouse, CB Micah Bell, LB Braylan Shelby, RB Kedrick Reescano, and WR Kyle Parker. There were also a few new arrivals in the rankings with Red Oak S Warren Roberson, Galena Park North Shore WR David Amador, and Waco Connally ATH Jelani McDonald among those making their arrivals in the rankings. In 2024 we have yet to award any five-stars, but wide receiver Micah Hudson has earned the top spot and is quickly making a case for five-star status. He is a polished route runner and a gamebreaking threat any time he touches the ball. Duncanville LB Colin Simmons arrives at No. 2 and he is right there on Hudson's heels for five-star status. OL Ashton Funk arrives at No. 3, and Silsbee ATH Drelon Miller makes his top 5 debut at No. 4 and Willis QB Derek (DJ) Lagway makes his top 5 debut at No. 5. The Top 10 also saw some new additions. Longview RB Taylor Tatum arrives at No. 9 and is the No. 1 running back in the state, while Timpson do-it-all standout Terry Bussey leaps into the top 10 at No. 10. Allen DE Zina Umeozulu, Lewisville S Jaydan Hardy. and Melissa DE Nigel Smith II form the rest of the top 10 at No.s 6, 7, and 8. Denton Guyer CB Eli Bowen and Duncanville RB Caden Durham earned their fourth stars, and Waco Connally RB Kiefer Sibley, Denton Guyer WR Josiah Martin, Brownsboro WR Gekyle Baker, and Katy Peatow DE Loghan Thomas are among the prospects making their top 100 debut. The 2025 watch list saw has been expanded from 50 to 75 and saw new additions such as Texas A&M offer and Lucas Lovejoy WR Daylan McCutcheon, Port Arthur defenders Michael Riles and Kentrell Roberts, Crosby LB Copelin Windfont, and San Antonio QB Ty Hawkins.
Three Things: 2023 S Peyton Bowen, emerging prospects & more
As he does every Friday morning, TexAgs' senior recruiting analyst Jason Howell offered up another round of his weekly recruiting thoughts. In this edition of his three things, Howell discusses Peyton Bowen's talent, keynotes on a couple of prospects and more.
Three Things: Requirements for a top-five class, what's to come & more
As he does every Friday morning, TexAgs' senior recruiting analyst Jason Howell offered up another round of his weekly recruiting thoughts. In this edition of his three things, Howell looked at what needs to happen for a top-five recruiting class and some high school football thoughts.