409: Texas A&M making an important impression in Southeast Texas
Bayous, swamps, refineries and Friday night lights all define daily life in Southeast Texas, especially the latter. With the region continuing to produce top prospects, the Aggies have established strong connections and recently found major success.
Under the Lights: DFW recruiting tour, new A&M offers and developments
The Aggies offered two important defensive backs, one a JUCO and one just a freshman. Jason Howell focuses on his recent tour of DFW prospects, breaking down several groups of players. Plus Brauninger's stop in the Golden Triangle and much more.
Around Texas: The top in-state performances of Signing Day 2017
National Signing Day has come and gone, and the biggest names around the state have signed with their schools of choice. Jason Howell takes a look at each in-state school's class, the biggest wins and toughest hits of recruiting's most important day.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
As the 2017 recruiting cycle comes to a close, big names across Texas are choosing their college destinations. Jason Howell has all the latest developments from around the state in this week's edition of Around Texas.
A few Monday recruiting notes
-Plano East LB Anthony Hines is getting closer and closer to his decision date. He tripped to Gainesville last weekend, and I was told by a Florida source the trip went really well. Now, while I believe Texas A&M remains out front at the moment, Florida folks seem to believe they've done a good enough to at least be mentioned in the conversation. Hines has always been fond of Randy Shannon, and there's no doubt the relationship there is strong. However, I keep going back to what Hines said about his relationship with John Chavis being stronger than any other he has amongst college coaches. I believe the UF staff knows this is an uphill battle for them, but they're willing to try and climb it. I did also hear that Hines will not be giving Ohio St a look like some thought. Also, I expect to see Florida make a hard push at Levi Jones down the stretch as well. -2018 Franklin OL Casey Phillips has seen his stock rise recently. The A&M legacy has tripped to College Station and Lubbock in recent weeks, and he certainly looks the part of a Power 5 offensive linemen. Should A&M choose to offer, I'd put Phillips on YESSIR watch. His father was a tennis player at A&M during his time in college. I'll be out to see Phillips and 2019 Franklin S Jared Pedraza on Friday night.-Is the scope narrowing for the remaining spots at defensive end in the 2017 class? It sure seems like it. Terry Price saw Cisco JC DE Michael Clemons last weekend. Kevin Sumlin watched Arizona edge man Odua Isibor on Friday evening as he and Jeff Banks hit the desert after stopping in to see OU commit Addison Gumbs out in California, and lastly (and perhaps most significant), Mississippi Gulf Coast DE Isaiah Buggs released his top schools on Twitter yesterday which included A&M. I don't think there's any doubt that the emphasis is on getting a guy or two with plus pass rushing skills. Update: Hearing Price may have put his trip to see Clemons on hold due to Clemons being nicked up. -Some folks on the HS game thread expressed concern over LSU commit Kary Vincent's big night against A&M commit Keynel McZeal. Vincent is a great player and a fantastic cover man. He's as good as there is in Texas when it comes to playing his man 1-on-1. He's also much further along in his development than McZeal. Remember, Keynel missed most of his junior season due to a hand injury and, prior to that, was mainly a quarterback. So, I more than half expected Vincent to have success Friday night. However, that doesn't take away from what McZeal can be once he gets into college. He's still a physical freak who's got a super high ceiling. If he reaches it, he'll have a shot to get back at Vincent in SEC West matchups down the road. -Last thing, LB target Devodrick Johnson released his mid season highlights today. Here they are:https://twitter.com/foebg_/status/788030168602324993