Jelani McDonald

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.

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.

Football season is in full force as district championships are being won and playoff tickets are being punched. Though that doesn’t mean things will slow down on the recruiting trails. It is time to take a look at the latest news and notes from the recruiting front.