Monday recruiting notes
Returns on the BBQ continue to be positive...-I was told by two separate sources that Houston Christian DT Joshua Rogers remains a prime candidate to add his name to the A&M class soon. I'm set to talk to Josh soon so I'll have more later. -One of those same sources also echoed what Jason Howell reported on Bellaire DT Jayden Peevy yesterday - the Ags are on top. A couple months back, Peevy openly told me that an A&M offer would shoot them to the front of his list even when he was committed to Baylor. Since cutting bait with the Bears, Peevy's stock has seen a nice bump. He's another one to keep an eye on in terms of guys who could jump on board soon. -As Looch reported yesterday, the Aggies continue to trend in the right direction with IMG LB Santino Marchiol. The fact that Marchiol went so far out of his way to make it to campus this weekend speaks volumes in and of itself. Couple that with the fact that he's already pushed back his decision date, and you start getting the feeling the Aggies could be the landing spot here. -While recent 2018 LB offer Bumper Pool wasn't at the BBQ, he does hold the Aggies in high regard. His parents are graduates of Arkansas and West Virginia, and some folks think the Hogs will be the team to beat. I can say that Bumper will take his time with a decision and make some visits. I'll have more on this later with full quotes. -A couple of recent/future camp names to keep an eye on for offers in the 2018 class: Waxahachie OL Jack York who camped with the Aggies in Kilgore and Sulphur (LA) TE Christian Trahan who will camp with A&M this week.
Pre-BBQ recruiting notes
The Aggies are expecting around 30 or so visitors for tomorrow's much anticipated BBQ. I wanted to get these few notes out before the event got going as an appetizer (see what I did there?). -Two separate sources this week have said really good things about the Aggies relationship and where they stand with IMG WR Jhamon Ausbon. The Houston native will be in town tomorrow - a perfect opportunity to build on the momentum held by the A&M staff. Clarence McKinney has been hard at work here. -Before I go on to other guys, I know I'll get asked about Kellen Mond. The word on Kellen seems to be a little sporadic in terms of who's out in front. To be frank, I believe Jason has a better feel for Kellen at the moment so I'll defer to him. My gut says this will play out a while. I have nothing to base that on other than general feel though. -2018 Manvel ATH Jalen Preston is a kid the Aggies (and a lot of other folks) hold in high regard. We said last week that Preston visited A&M after 7on7 games at A&M Consolidated. That visit, along with his relationship with teammate Derrick Tucker, Coach Kirk Martin, and Clarence McKinney, has put the Aggies at or near the front at the moment from what I've been told. Preston and his family are close with Ricky Seals-Jones and his family. I don't think Jalen is in any hurry to make a decision, but at one time, everyone thought he was a lock to Texas. I don't think it's that automatic anymore, or anywhere close to that. The Ags have made up a whole bunch of ground here. He'll be in town for the BBQ. -I continue to hear big things about Sulphur (LA) TE Christian Trahan. The Aggies will get to see him up close next week at their satellite camp with Tulane in southwest Louisiana. I asked one area coach about Trahan, and he said, "Man, he's fast. He's physical. He's going to be an absolute stud for somebody." A source in Louisiana has told me the Aggies would have a legit shot to pull Trahan from the Bayou State even if LSU offers. I'll wait and see on that, but it's one to follow during next week's camp circuit.-Just a few names that really jumped out as us today at the two camps in Lancaster and Kilgore:2018 Lucas Lovejoy LB Bumper Pool 2018 Arlington Lamar DE Tre Brown 2018 Waxahachie OL Jack York...Jason may want to add to that as well. -Lastly, we've been updating the BBQ roster throughout the week. Make sure you check that tonight and tomorrow morning as Looch will be on to provide his final thoughts and any last minute changes we can get...including a possible addition from another IMG player (teeeeeeaaaassssseeeeeeee). Stay tuned.
A few notes on OOS targets
Three kids, three different states. Here's some lunch time notes. -I'm told IMG LB Santino Marchiol will be making his commitment this month. Marchiol has been to A&M this spring and holds the Aggies in high regard. Again, this is a kid that grew up down the street from Von Miller in Denver before moving to Florida to play for IMG. He's also got a great connection with Noel Mazzone. However, as I understand it, Marchiol currently has the Aggies playing from behind the Tennessee Volunteers. He's tripped more than once to Knoxville this past winter and spring. Looch referenced Marchiol leaning the Vols' way recently, and like I said, one of my contacts in the Sunshine State feels the same. I wouldn't necessarily rule the Ags out just yet. I have a feeling there's some confidence on the Maroon and White side. Either way, I would keep an eye out for an announcement from Santino within the next few weeks. - Jacob Phillips is a name often overlooked when it comes to potential LB options for the Ags in this 2017 class. It's understandable because the Tennessean doesn't make many recruiting headlines, but I can tell you that Phillips certainly hasn't overlooked the Aggies. A&M offered the big Nashville backer late last year, and we've documented Phillips' relationships with Tyrel Dodson and Ikenna Okeke. They've certainly helped the Aggies' chances here. Phillips told me this morning that John Chavis came by the school yesterday, and he remains in consistent contact with A&M. Phillips also said A&M will undoubtedly be getting an official visit this fall. -Jim Turner was in southwest Louisiana yesterday to check in on 2018 Sulphur TE Christian Trahan. I'm told Trahan is currently tearing up the 7-on-7 circuit and has been a nightmare for linebackers and safeties. When I asked how many other schools had been through Sulphur to see him, the response I got was "a whole bunch." It seems as though Chad Morris and SMU will be the first ones to really make a push here, but I would expect some big boys to come calling soon. Trahan will be in Aggieland this summer, and I'm told he's been a fan of Kevin Sumlin's program for a while now.
Some Thursday evening recruiting notes
Kind of scatter shooting this one because I've got notes and quotes from a wide array of guys...let's start with guys that have offers.-I spoke at length with recent 2018 DT offer Keondre Coburn of Spring Westfield who called the offer "amazing." He said that it was one thing to get an SEC offer, but it was an even bigger deal that it came from A&M. Coburn is the next dominant defensive lineman in line at Spring Westfield. While he's built differently than Ed Oliver, they both play with a fantastic motor and good leverage. Coburn is a big fan of the way the Aggie coaches handle their players. "I love the way the coaches coach at A&M. They make you want to play for them." Coburn has a visit lined up to TCU and told me he grew up a UCLA fan. He's in no hurry to make a decision, but it seems like the Ags have situated themselves nicely for what could be the number 1 DT in Texas in 2018. -I continue to hear positive things on the Tyree Johnson front, but I also must admit that a source following his recruitment said Tennessee is very much hanging around. I will say that in all my interactions with Tyree (who's been a lot of fun to get to know, great kid), there seems to be a stronger connection for him in College Station than anywhere else. I'm scheduled to speak with him in a few days and will get a more conclusive update...but like I said, my gut and a few sources feel like the Aggies lead. -Was told today that Lancaster WR Omar Manning is still up in the air. By all accounts, he came awfully close to announcing to TCU recently, but he's since backed off of that. He's mentioned to me more than once about his strong relationship with Daeshon Hall and Nick Harvey. The Aggies are trading punches here with TCU, Baylor, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas. Now, here are some things to look for as spring and summer evals take place...-I started a thread the other day about CyRanch LB Amaud Willis-Dalton as a prospect sure to get a hard look down the road. Well, you can add Brenham LB Marqez Bimage to that list as well. Bimage is a physical young man that visited A&M for Friday Night Lights and had a great time. He's grown up with some strong A&M influences around him. He committed to UH earlier this year, but an Aggie offer could change a lot of things. I'll have more from Marqez soon. -Houston Bellaire DT and Baylor commit Jayden Peevy remains an intriguing eval for the A&M coaches. The Aggies have told Peevy that they'll be down to Houston soon to see him workout. He also told me he wants to visit A&M, and that if the Aggies offered, they'd go to the top of his list. Peevy is intriguing because of his huge frame and relative inexperience (he had been primarily a basketball player). You'd think his best football is in front of him. -PNG TE/WR Keynel McZeal is a name that has started to surface more and more since his solid day in Houston at The Opening Regional. He's got a fantastic frame and really looks like he could be that Ricky Seals-Jones type of body at inside receiver or flex tight end. A southeast Texas source told me early this morning that there's been some reciprocated interest with the Aggies here. McZeal had been primarily hearing from mid-majors the last time we spoke, and I'm efforting him to confirm that A&M has indeed reached out. Regardless, he's not unknown in Bright that's for sure and will be a spring/summer eval. Lastly, a couple 2018 names that will be popping up soon...-Houston Reagan DB Jalen Green certainly fits the mold of a John Chavis corner, and he told me today that Clarence McKinney has been talking with him. He's also been hearing from Baylor and Texas. He recently finished up a strong season on the Reagan track team and is firmly on a lot of early top player list for next season. His recruitment is primed to blow up soon. -2018 Sulphur (LA) TE Christian Trahan got offered by SMU today and will be at A&M this summer for a few days. Reports out of south Louisiana are that he's been dominant in 7 on 7.That's all for me tonight...off to throw some BP.
