UA Dallas: Recruiting news and notes, post-camp notes
We will have a few video interviews but here's a quick rundownHouston St. Pius X 2019 QB Grant Gunnell He went up to A&M on Thursday and plans to return on Wednesday. He said he's going to try and go up Friday but he's also trying to get to Oklahoma State and Arkansas Friday and Saturday.Texas A&M is establishing quite the connection with one brother Will Gunnell walking on and an older brother talking to Texas A&M about a GA position. Planning to release a top 7 this summer and he thinks A&M will be happy where they end up in that release.New Texas A&M offer and Richland LB DaShaun White He really enjoyed meeting coach Sumlin and coach Chavis and the visited surprised him in a good way.He likes that it's close to home but not too close, he also likes that it's in the SECHe has Oklahoma State coming up on the 15thHe said he liked A&M a lot as well as TCU and Ole Miss He wants to commit before his senior.Fort Worth Nolan Catholic 2019 LB/DE Nana Osafo-Mensah He really enjoyed the visit and liked watching film with the LBs before the scrimmage. He talked to coach Price a lot as well as coach Chavis.He feels a lot of schools are watching him at defensive end and today he checked in at 6-4, 217 and he spent the day with them.He said Texas A&M was definitely a top school. One thing he mentioned as a big plus was the business school He hopes to visit UCLA and USC and may get back to A&M for Friday Night Lights.Colleyville Heritage WR Kameron BrownHe just visited College Station yesterday and he loved watching practice. Watching coach Moorehead teach his guys technique was one thing that caught his attention while in town.Overall he loved coach Sumlin and the way he coaches. He wants to make a decision sometime in the summer.Dallas Bishop Dunne WR/ATH Marquez Beason He's not sure when he will visit but he was excited when he received the offer. He had an idea the Aggies were going to offer but he was still shockedHis only visits plans are to Nebraska on April 15 Dallas Bishop Dunne S Brian Williams He will be at the Nebraska spring game with Marquez Beason and he would like to visit Texas A&M and Texas. He is forming a good bond with coach Moorehead. He likes the fact A&M is in Texas and in the SECHe has not looked into new DB coach Ron Cooper but is looking forward to building the relationship there.Fort Worth Eastern Hills LB Byron HobbsHe will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he also plans to visit TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma.He looks forward to seeing the atmosphere surrounding Texas A&M when he's in town on Friday.He does have about 7 or 8 schools that stand out but he's keeping that a secret right now.Keller Central 2020 WR DJ Graham The Keller Central 2020 receiver was in College Station and said the facilities, players, and coaches really caught his attention. He likes the relationship coach Moorehead has with the receivers. He rated the visit a 10 because of the scrimmage, the big plays, the facilities, and how he was treated on his visit.Aledo 2020 WR Monterren Parks The Aledo 2020 receiver just visited Texas A&M yesterday and he described the visit as fun and a great experience. He liked how big it was and that it is in the SEC.Plano Prestonwood 2019 TE Austin StognerHe said he's been talking with coach Banks and he said the Aggies let him know they want to come out to practice and that they are watching. He will be at Texas A&M for Friday Night Lights and he looks forward to checking out the campus and seeing how the coaches run practice.--More Recruiting Notes---Putnam City (OK) DE Ron Tatum said the Aggies have made a little bit of contact and he may be in College Station Friday for Friday Night LightsVerone McKinley III has not finalized his plans but do not be surrprised if he is in town on Thursday and goes to Friday Night Lights. He's trying to figure it all out but he wants to spend a day and go to classes and see what it's like to be an athlete at Texas A&M on his next visit.Erik Ezukanma said he will be in College Station for Friday Night Lights. Look for Jarell Cherry to be there too. RJ Mickens also confirmed his plans to attend FNL.Darrell Simpson was not sure if he would make it to Friday Night Lights and Alston Orji and Anfernee Orji cannot make it due to a track meet. Jalen Catalon mentioned he has been talking with coach Price and he plans to attend the A&M spring game---Post-Camp Notes---I'll admit it, I've been a bit down on Darrell Simpson, but he really looked good today. His footwork was very good and he handled some very good opponents in 1-on-1s. His size has always been a plus, but he has shown some nice improvements in his footwork and his overall flexibility.There's been some pretty negative evals thrown out there about LSU commit Chasen Hines but he had a very good day today and won the camp Lineman Challenge award. He has a very strong base and his strength has never been cause for worry, but today he moved a lot better.Consider me a big fan of Bossier City (LA) Parkway QB Justin Rogers. He threw a great ball whether he was throwing with or against the wind. He put the ball in some tight spaces and he was technically sound. He was my QB MVP. Now I say that and will quickly follow by saying Grant Gunnell more than held his own. He would have been my No. 2 QB performer on the day.2019 WR Kameron Brown continues to make the hard look easy. He is effortless out there and has some great body control. He's my favorite 2019 WR in Texas.I came away very impressed with the LBs today Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, Alston Orji, DaShaun White, 2019 Chance Cover, Byron Hobbs all had pretty solid days.Of course the DB group had a strong day too. It was pretty stacked with Caden Sterns, Verone McKinley, Gemon Green, German Green, Brian Williams, Jeremiah Lewis, and Jalen Catalon all had pretty strong performances. The length of the Green twins is hard to match, McKinley was in the hip pocket of receivers all day long, Lewis has a great sense of timing when he breaks on the ball, Caden Sterns covers so much ground, Brian Williams was as physical as it can get without pads, and Jalen Catalon gets up to high point the ball as well as anyone I've seen.That's all I've got. Watch out for some video interviews throughout the week.
Primer: The Opening Regional - Dallas - Sunday, March 5
Sunday prospects from across the region will make their way to the Star in Frisco, Texas for the Opening regional in Dallas. The competition will be fierce and several key Texas A&M targets are expected to be in attendance.Below are the guys Texas A&M has offeredQB Roschon Johnson, Port Neches-Groves (2019) - One of the top prospects in 2019. A&M offered first and he has since added Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, and Penn State to name a few. RB Keaontay Ingram, Carthage - he's giving the Aggies a serious look. WR Jaquayln Crawford, Rockdale - The Aggies are working him hard since extending a recent offer.WR Erik Ezukanma, Keller Timber Creek - Early offer and the Aggies are high on his list.WR CJ Moore, Tulsa (OK) Union - very early offer by the Aggies, and he has become a national recruitWR Marquez Beason, Dallas Bishop Dunne (2019) - plans to visit Texas A&M soon, adding offers left and rightWR Kameron Brown, Collleyville Heritage (2019) - son of Larry Brown has a playmaking rep of his own and a ton of scholarship offers.He is my No. 1 WR in Texas for the 2019 class.WR Arjei Henderson, Fort Bend Travis (2019) - committed early to OklahomaWR Jordan Whittington, Cuero (2019) - it's early and he has a ton of offers. He's visited B/CS a few times. May just be the best overall prospect in Texas for 2019.OL Chasen Hines, Marshall - he has the Aggies in his top five, the school to watch remains LSUOL Darrell Simpson, Justin Northwest - Texas A&M is in the runningLB Alston Orji, Rockwall - the Aggies are in the mixLB Bumper Pool, Lucas Lovejoy - committed early to childhood favorite ArkansasCB Verone McKinley III, Hebron - I've already said I think he commits to Texas A&M at the end of the dayS DeMarvion Overshown, Arp - recent offer, has talked of visitingS Atanza 'AT' Vongor, South Grand Prairie - narrowed his list to Texas, TCU, and BaylorA few other top offensive prospectQB Tanner Mordecai, Waco Midway - No. 3 QB in the state by TexAgs, 4-star QB with offers from Baylor, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Northwestern.QB Zadock Dinklemann, Somerset - former LSU commit, prototypical pocket QB, big arm and great size. Ranked the No. 2 QB in the state by TexAgsQB Jalen Mayden, Sachse - four-star dual threat QB with offers from across the country. QB Grant Tisdale, Allen (2019) - split time in 2016, big time buzz already surrounding this polished passerQB John Stephen Jones, Highland Park - grandson of Jerry Jones and first QB to lead HP to a state title since Matt Stafford.RB Brock Sturges, Allen - the offers are beginning to roll in after a solid junior showing in his first season at Allen.RB Craig Williams, Crosby - he brings speed and quickness to the table. Offers are on the table from Baylor, Auburn, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and several othersRB Sarodorick Thompson, Carrollton Ranchview - big back with some speed of his ownRB Jase McClellan, Aledo (2020) - rushed for over 1500 yards and 20 TDs as a freshman, earned state title game offensive MVP honors, and has been offered by SMU RB Kaedric Cobbs, Melissa (2020) - 5-9, 195 and averaged over 10 ypc on his way to over 1200 yards and 16 TDsWR Drue Jackson, Sachse - 46 receptions for 652 yards and 6 TDs as a junior. He counts Texas Tech, Houston, Louisville, Iowa, and Colorado among his offers.WR Miles Battle, Cy Creek - long receiver, who attacks the ball. Body control is a big plus. He has been piling up the offers too with LSU and Ole Miss arriving in the last few weeks.WR Ke'von Ahmad, Colleyville Heritage - slowed by an injury last fall but had a big sophomore year and has offers from Baylor and Louisville.WR Quandree White, College Station - the versatile central Texas athlete will be working at WR on SundayWR Theo Wease, Allen (2019) - 2019 playmaker who recently committed to Oklahoma WR Trejan Bridges, Hebron (2019) - 4 offers are on the table for the 2019 and he is one smooth playmaker WR DJ Graham , Keller Central (2020) - 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, recorded 36 receptions for 527 yards and 3 TDs.TE Nic McTear, Frisco Heritage - committed early to Oklahoma State, but offers continue to arriveOL Rafiti Ghirmai, Frisco Wakeland - has absolutely exploded and become one of the state's hottest prospects since January. Alabama, LSU, and Georgia offered earlier this week. A&M is watching close.OL Casey Phillips, Franklin - another OL on A&M's radar. He's added some nice offers, and is one of the more versatile OLs in the state.OL Brey Walker, Moore (OK) Southmoore - the top prospect in Oklahoma, committed to OU. OL Keivan Myers, Dallas Bishop Dunne - 6-5, 330 and described as athletic. Yep, I'm interestedOL Ylijaah Hall, Bryan - big Centex OL is a guy the Aggies are watchingOL EJ Ndoma-Ogar, Allen (2019) - back from IMG, Ndoma-Ogar is one of the top OL prospects in Texas for 2019OL Brannon Brown, San Antonio O'Connor (2019) - holds a Texas Tech offer, had a big day at the Army Combine in San AntonioA few defensive prospects of noteDE Tyree Wilson, New London West Rusk - emerging DE prospect who I'm intrigued to see in person. 6-4, 225 and offers from ULL and Washington State.DE Ron Tatum, Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City - top defensive lineman in Oklahoma with top national offersDE Ochaun Mathis , Manor - committed early to TCU. 6-5, 230DT Scale Igiehon, Del Valle - big DT who can do damage in the middle, 6-2, 330, holds a Texas State offerDT Nelson Jenkins, Plaquemine (LA) - committed to LSU in February after decommitting from KansasDT Lloyd Murray, Wichita Falls Hirschi (2019) - very active and strong DT, announced his FSU commitment ThursdayLB Byron Hobbs, Fort Worth Eastern Hills - long and athletic, his tape is fun and he holds offers from Oklahoma State, OU, and Texas to name a fewLB Nicholas Bolton, Frisco Lone Star - one of my personal favorites, intrigued to see how he measuresLB Mykel Gates, Carthage - active LB and multi-year starter for state champion CarthageLB Brian Johnson, Manvel - one of the more athletic LBs in the stateLB Chance Cover, Trophy Club Byron Nelson (2019) - recorded 125 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 2 sacks as a sophomoreS Caden Sterns, Cibolo Steele - LSU commit, top 10 in the stateS Kolby Peel, College Station A&M Consolidated Central Texas standout we've always been high on at TexAgs. S Isaiah Humphries, Sachse - top 50 Texas talent, committed to Penn State commitDB Dayven Coleman, West Mesquite - 6-2, 200 and can play CB, S, and even roll down, Syracuse is his most recent offer.S Jalen Catalon, Mansfield Legacy (2019) - Clemson offered this week. He's a little small, but he's one of the best defenders in the state. Almost 200 tackles and 9 INTs as a sophomore. CB RJ Mickens, Southlake Carroll )2019) - the son of Ray Mickens, started at Southlake Carroll as a freshman last year and is already approaching double digit offers as a 2020 prospect.Quick Notes- Wide receiver is absolutely loaded. There are more prospects holding Texas A&M offers and there is a great combination of size, speed, quickness, and overall playmaking ability. I would give it the nod as the deepest position group of the camp.- The OL group is strong as well. There's a lot of good depth there too. I'm predicting Brey Walker as the OL MVP right now, but it would not surprise me if Rafiti Ghirmai or Casey Phillips came from out of the pack to claim the honors.- My early contenders for fastest man would be Mansfield WR Jackson Gleeson and Rockdale athlete Jaquayln Crawford. Both of those guys can flat out fly.- The defensive end group has the most guys I really want to watch. TCU commit Ochaun Mathis, East Texas sleeper Tyree Wilson, national recruit Ron Tatum, and Euless Trinity DE Izaih Filikitonga all bring some intrigue to the table for me. And I have never seen any of them in person.- The S group another very strong. From Overshown to Catalon there are some are playmakers big and small and everything in between.- Speaking of intriguing the prospect A&M has offered that I'm most excited to see in person is Overshown. I want to see how big he actually is, how he moves, and what that frame looks like. - the guy I most want to see in person that does not have an offer is LB Nicholas Bolton. I love his tape but I've heard he is on the shorter side which has some schools holding off. We'll see. because he has been a defensive playmaker at Lone Star.- One guy I loved on tape that I think could come out of nowhere to make a name for himself is Livingston's Christian Mitchell. He's small but he can flat out go and he will be a tough cover in one-on-ones. Check out his tape if you haven't already.