Kedrick Reescano

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 Johnny Bowens' Thanksgiving commitment, effects of the coaching carousel and more.

- Not trying to pile on with any bad news, but I think it's important that we update ya'll on current recruits being courted by other schools. I mentioned a little bit of it on TexAgs Radio this morning, but I figured I'd give some more specifics on the boards. Jayvon Thomas - TCU sounds like the main contender, as of now. He visited Ft Worth last weekend, and they're doing all they can. Our sources feel like the Aggies can hang on. Bravion Rogers - LSU and Texas are pushing. It sounds like he might even be in Austin this coming weekend. My sources in La Grange thought A&M had enough of a lead to withstand anything in the immediate future. I believe he'll sign with the Aggies but not without a fight. TJ Shanahan - Haven't heard much on specific suitors, but he's one I think could schedule a visit late in the cycle. He met with the coaching staff at length last weekend, and he seems pretty locked in at the moment. If anyone were to jump up here late, keep an eye on LSU and USC. Daymion Sanford - He'll visit Oregon this weekend and likely OU next weekend. Two sources in Katy thought the Aggies were safe here and had built a lead that would be nearly impossible to overcome. David Hicks - Same as Sanford in terms of visits, and I think Texas and Alabama are also sneaking around. It feels like getting him back to College Station before the early signing period is growing in importance by the week. Chase Bisontis - Tough to read because he's in New Jersey and doesn't do a ton of media, but this one feels like it's going to take a massive effort to hold. Finding a way to get him in for a game would be a big deal. - I've heard great things about the official visit of Converse Judson DL Johnny Bowens last weekend. I'm working to get him on the phone to get some quotes, but our sources felt like the Aggie coaching staff did a great job with the family. It sounds like staying close to home would be ideal for everyone involved. - We saw a running back offer go out today to Picayune (MS) standout Dante Dowdell. I've heard some current names also under evaluation at the position are New Caney's Kedrick Reescano, Midlothian's Deago Benson, and Montgomery (AL) Catholic's Jeremiah Cobb. A source in Florida told me today that the Aggies remain in contact with Cedric Baxter Jr., but I didn't get the feeling there was any momentum behind it. - Still a long way out, but we have heard that TCU is also after 2024 A&M commit Dealyn Evans.

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.