Around Texas & Around the SEC: Early Signing Period News & Notes
The Early Signing Period has come and gone as a number of the nation's top prospects have signed on the dotted line. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings in the Lone Star state and SEC footprint on the recruiting front.
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.
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.
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.
A few notes and thoughts
There's been quite a bit of movement over the last few days/weeks with several prospects making decisions. Here's a few notes and thoughts I checked in with a few sources and the Aggies continue to pursue and remain in contention for Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff CB Malik Muhammad. Like I said the other day, the contenders are Texas A&M, Texas, and Alabama and depending on the day you may get a different leader. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would surprise me here. Texas has come on strong and Alabama and Texas A&M have been right there at the top throughout. One thing I do expect from Muhammad is for him to keep everyone on the edge of their seats until he's ready to make his announcement. Edge defender Chandavian Bradley picked Tennessee on Sunday and it stirred up the discussion on the board. I get it. He's one twitchy, bad dude on the edge with plenty of length and athleticism and the Aggies would have loved to have him in the class, and I bet you continue to see the Aggies keep in touch too. I mean it wouldn't be the first time they've flipped a Midwest standout from Tennessee (see Antonio Johnson). That said, the Vols have been discussed at the top of his list for quite some time, so the decision was not a surprise. As far as other edge options go, I don't think this shuffles the board much because the Aggies are in position to be picky. Baton Rouge (LA) Liberty RB Kaleb Jackson is making his decision on Tuesday in talking to a few sources it looks like LSU looks like the leader with Alabama the main competition. Let's look at the o-line real quick. -First, Smithson Valley's Colton Thomasson is not to be slept on as an OT prospect. He has great size and as he has transformed his body his feet and flexibility have really started to shine. Also his mentality and work ethic make him a great future leader. -Second, it's not hard to see four more in addition to Thomasson, and the Aggies have a good pool they are eyeing. TJ Shanahan looks like the next best bet to join the Aggies OL class, and he can play inside and outside. The Aggies are also a real player with Chase Bisontis, and if he heads south I look for it to be between A&M and LSU. A true OT to watch is Caden Jones out of New Orleans. He is a long, high potential prospect who has really come on strong in the past 6 months. He has ties to A&M, visited in the spring, camped in June, and I look for him to return this summer. Inside you have Micah Banuelos and Paul Mubenga. Banuelos of Burien (WA), has a top three of Oregon, USC, and Texas A&M, while Mubenga of Buford (GA) has a top three of Michigan, LSU, and Texas A&M. Both have OV'd and visited multiple times. Then there are OTs Miles McVay and Naquil Betrand, who both continue to list the Aggies among their top schools and have visited campus. -That's a good mixture of size, athleticism and position versatility in that group with a lot of upside potential. And my last couple of thoughts, just because a prospect is committed elsewhere does not mean it is over. We have seen it happen time and time again over the last few years. Even with NIL there is a long way to signing day. And, be prepared for a few new names to surface between now and signing day. Some may be new top national guys the Aggies become bigger players for and some may be sleeper types. Either way, I look for Jimbo Fisher to get his share of top recruits.