Samson Okunlola

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.

Offensive tackle recruiting has been the subject of much discussion so i've done some digging and here's a quick rundownJust a quick note, at this time I have Westlake's TJ Shanahan and Smithson Valley's Colton Thomasson more as interior guys. I look for the Aggies to try and grab a couple of OTs in the 2023 class. Now, let's jump into it, and start with some national names.OT Chase Bisontis (6-5, 290), Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep - He is probably A&M's best shot right now when it comes the national guys. He lists Texas A&M in his top 8 along with Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan St, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Texas. He is making plans to visit Texas A&M unofficially later this month along with Georgia, LSU, Miami, and Texas.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12871572/61a3de7a4bb31b0accf3cc06OT Samson Okunlola (6-5, 300), Brockton (MA) Thayer Academy - The Aggies may be playing a little catch up but this is one where Addazio's northeast ties could help a lot. Addazio is well connected and has been in communication with Okunlola. The big man has been busy lately between Wrestling and recruiting visits. He stopped through Michigan, Michigan St, and Penn State at the end of March and Rutgers, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Florida and Oklahoma are a few who have come on strong.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13401354/619e5d7af5600a0ac4b63e1fOT Francis Mauigoa (6-5, 330), IMG Academy/American Samoa - Texas A&M did not make his top 13, so they have some ground to cover to be a real player. However, they are not completely out of the mix and if they can get him on campus the Aggies could become a factor. He currently lists a top group of Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Miami, Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Penn State, Ohio State, Hawaii, USC, and Michigan.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14959888/61567d530dcaca0824f69300Top in-stateRight now when it comes to pure tackles Isaiah Robinson (6-6, 285) is right there at the top of the list. He has had a great spring showing tremendous improvement in flexibility, footwork, and overall mentality. He has been in communication with coach Addazio and they are trying to get to campus for a visit. It looks like May is the most likely time he makes it back to College Station. He has a June OV scheduled to Cal and they're working to get USC and Miami nailed down. The Aggies currently look like a contender for one of the final two visits.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13261652/61878f556898e50be02c7d26Austin Vandegrift standout Ian Reed (6-6, 290) is right there with Robinson as a top OT in Texas. The Aggies offered on February and he made it to campus in March. A big framed, multi-sport standout with strong athletic genes, Reed has seen his been a hot target for colleges since the end of the season. The Aggies have kept in close contact and he has spoken highly of the Aggie program and coach Addazio. Alabama recently entered the picture after an unofficial visit and he also mentioned he likes what he has seen in Texas and Oklahoma State.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10131278/61bf895eb019360bac721b1cThings have been trending in the other direction for Garland Naaman Forest OT Markis Deal (6-5, 290). He is being recruited at both OL and DL and the opportunity to play DL is intriguing. The Aggies initially offered as an OL, and have pursued the hardest there. He's a guy who can play both OG and OT on the offensive side. Right now it looks like the Aggies have some ground to cover with the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Arkansas, Miami, and USC are a few schools coming on strong.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9715275/61cf83a6f31de90b9c3ab2faAnother offer to keep an eye on is New Orleans (LA) De La Salle OL Caden Jones (6-7, 305). Texas A&M offered in late March, and he has ties to the Texas A&M program. His uncle Marcus Jasmin was a standout DL for the Aggies and his mother graduated from Texas A&M. He is long with the frame to add plenty of weight and has seen his rock rise this spring. In addition to A&M he has alsk welcomed offers from Florida, Missouri, and West Virginia in the last month.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12742672/61b6859fbd755f0b9078aa8aThe Aggies are also looking at a few intriguing in-state OT prospects.Melissa OT Trevor Goosby has added 45 pounds since the season and continues to impress with his flexibility and feet. He recently measured in at 6-7, 285 with no shoes on at OU and is starting to see his recruitment hit another gear. He already holds offers from TCU, SMU, and others but Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Alabama are beginning to take a look. He will be in College Station this weekend. He's probably more of a spring eval/camp guy due to his growth, but he is on the radar. He's another multi-sport athlete with a strong athletic family background his dad, Mike Goosby, played in the NFLhttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/14474818/615e47678cdefa0a18200665Southlake Carroll 6-7, 320 OT Drew Perez was in town yesterday. He doesn't have a lot of tape. He moved in from Chicago as a sophomore and played as JV TE. He moved to OT as a Jr served as a back-up last fall, so the tape is minimal. However, he has quickly turned heads at camps and Southlake Carroll coaches believe his stock will skyrocket this spring and summer due to his size and potential. He's also young for a senior. It may take a few games in the fall for his stock to really take off but he is one who could definitely emerge as a top prospect. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16000394/61941a187bd3670b9c57e0ccRight now the Aggies have some work to do on the National front but i'm not ready to count them out just yet. If they get a few guys on campus and around the team, i think the Aggies can put themselves in prime contention for national name. In-state I think the Aggies have the best shot with Ian Reed.