Ishmael Sopsher

Amite (LA) Devonta Lee:Lee told me today that he's super excited about his visit to Texas A&M on Jan 11-13. He said the staff has talked to him about playing WR, S, and OLB. He really doesn't have a preference on where he plays. He's intrigued by Jimbo Fisher and what he's building. He did say there was pressure from folks around him to stay in state and go to LSU. He'll officially visit the Tigers the weekend after A&M. Lee told me that one of the big things he'll be looking for in College Station is how he'll fit academically, socially, and in the scheme. He said he knows Jimbo is on his way to championships because he's seen how he's recruiting. The coaching staff has been telling him how much they want him daily, and they'll only turn that up another level on his visit. Lee will announce his decision on signing day. I'll have a full interview with Devonta up at some point.Amite (LA) DT Ishmael Sopsher:Ish told me that all seven of his top schools are still in the mix. Very professional answer from a guy that has, by all accounts, cut this into a two team race. I spoke with him quite a bit one-on-one, and he definitely didn't sound like a kid that had completely ruled out A&M. He spoke about the environment around Jimbo's program, and he even said he thinks a championship is coming soon to Aggieland. Ish is still looking for a way to play with his brother at the next level. Right now, LSU is the only school to offer his brother. He said if he did choose A&M, it'd be because of his relationship with Elijah Robinson and the feeling of home he gets when he's on campus. Ish wants to take his remaining officials, though he said he doesn't have them all set up just yet. Full interview with him will be up at some point soon, as well. Madison County (FL) CB Travis Jay:This one sounds like the longest shot of the four in writing about tonight. He's not a super talkative kid, and he gave pretty standard answers. As of now, he's got all of his weekends leading up to signing day full with visits. Of those visits, none include Texas A&M, and Jay never brought up the Aggies in the media fray until I asked him directly about it. He told me the communication with A&M is pretty new, but they've been consistent with checking on him since it began. Dameyune Craig is running point here according to Jay. I asked him about visiting A&M with his schedule already full, and he said the visit was a maybe. Still sounds like an awful long way to go just to get him on campus. Industry sources down here expect him to stick with the Seminoles. His high school has a long history of sending kids to Tallahassee. I'd say A&M's chances are ultra slim until they're able to find a way to get him on campus. Dyersburg (TN) LB Chris Russell:Russell is not in Orlando, but I did talk to a source very familiar with the kid and his recruitment. Russell is a late arrival on the scene, but his stock has exploded. Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, and A&M are the four teams in contention at the moment. I was told John Chavis was actually the first coach to realize what kind of talent Russell was, and his hope was to recruit him as quietly as possible. In essence, Chief was trying to keep the kid under the radar. Tennessee looks like the leader here right now, though. There are folks close to the Vol program who do not want to see Russell leave the state and excel at another SEC program. I was told they don't want a "Tyrel Dodson" situation. Other than being the home state team, Tennessee has another built in advantage - DB coach Terry Fair. You see, Russell's dad is a die hard Volunteer fan, and Terry Fair is his favorite player of all-time. A&M can counter with Jay Graham, who I'm told is also one of the dad's favorite former Vols. I fully expect to see Russell on campus next month, but the Aggies are still behind as things stand today.