Previewing the 2018 Opening Finals in Frisco by the numbers
Top prospects from around the country will be at The Opening Finals in Frisco this weekend, including a few A&M commits and targets. Jason Howell breaks down the event by the numbers.
Liucci 44: Ranking the state's top high school prospects
Texas is a bastion of football talent, and the country's elite college programs are scouring the state for playmakers. With the summer camp circuit complete, Billy Liucci unveils his new rankings for state's best high school prospects.
Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
With summer now in full swing, the recruiting trail continues to heat up as recruits are trimming their lists, taking visits and making decisions about their futures. Jason Howell runs down all the latest commitments, under-the-radar prospects and more.
A few Friday quick hitters
-If I'm guessing today, I think the St Pius trio of Grant Gunnell, Jalen Curry, and Chase Lane all end up at different spots. Lane at A&M, Gunnell to Arizona, and I've heard Tennessee may actually be the landing spot for Curry. Six months ago, I was pretty convinced they would all play together in college, but that's recruiting. I guess that could still change again, but that's where I feel like this one is heading.-A new offer went out today to 2021 Stone Mountain (GA) ATH Kamar Wilcoxson. I watched all of about two plays and realized why this offer went out. Big time player at 6-2, 195 pounds already. -Of all the OL remaining at the forefront for A&M, I think the Aggies will have to work the hardest for Javonne Shepherd, and I hear Alabama will be tough to fend off as will Texas. The Longhorns have basically locked up Tyler Johnson from Oak Ridge, and they're in a good spot for Branson Bragg out of Crandall. In my opinion, the Ags have placed a higher priority on Andrew Coker and Blake Trainor in the last couple of months, and I believe they land both of those. I also still remain confident they get Kenyon Green.
Recruiting recap from the Opening Regional in Dallas
Ok so there was a lot, so let's not waste any timeFort Bend Bush DB Erick Young was one of the top A&M targets in attendance at the Opening Regional in Dallas. He was in Dallas because he was nursing an injury and could not compete at the Houston Regional. He recently took his official visit to A&M and both his mom and him were very impressed. The word that keeps coming up with Young is "need" As in the Aggies told me they really need me there. It's not about a want, but a need and it sounds like that message has resonated well with the Houston-area DB. He continues to take his time, and he would like to visit Ohio State, Alabama, and Oklahoma before trimming his list further and eventually naming his college choice. He plans to announce a final three the day before announcing his college decision. Another big time DB A&M fans are highly interested in is Jeffery Carter. The DB was one of the fastest guys in the entire camp and clocked a 4.3 forty. He finished second to Daxton Hill in the fastest man race. The Aggies recently made his top 6 and he said he likes to keep everyone guessing. He would like to take some more visits before making an announcement. He took his official visit to A&M the April 14 weekend and really got to know Debione Renfro well. He was visited at Aledo last week by coach Linguist and coach Elko and he has developed a great bond with both. Sticking with the DBs, Texas went by Waxahachie last week to see Texas A&M commit Demani Richardson, and they are working really really hard to get him to Austin on a visit. I'm not going to say it will not happen because this is recruiting, but currently he remains locked in on his commitment with the Aggies. He and his family are actively communicating with the A&M coaching staff and they had a great time on the official visit a few weeks ago. I continue to hear good things about the Aggies' efforts with Southlake Carroll 2020 RJ Mickens. He likes what he sees in coach Linguist and coach Elko and he is keeping a close eye on things in College Station. On the defensive line, Lucedale (MS) George County DT McKinnley Jackson competed in Dallas fresh off an unofficial visit to Texas A&M. The former LSU commit saw his eyes opened by the trip to College Station. Coach Elijah Robinson's ability to develop DTs definitely caught his attention, and he also talked fishing with coach Fisher. This summer will be a busy one with several trips in the works from coast-to-coast. One guy I was not able to catch up with yesterday was Ishmael Sopsher. The Amite (LA) DT was an absolute stud on the day and he too recently visited College Station. The feeling I got from talking to different people was LSU and Alabama are going to be really tough to top in this one. The recruitment of his brother Rodney Sopsher could make things interesting. Mississippi State commit and Jackson (MS) Provine DE De'Monte Russell says he plans to visit A&M this summer but he doesn't have anything scheduled. He also plans to visit Oregon, Florida, and maybe Ole Miss. Alexandria (LA) 2020 DT Jacobian Guillory recently visited A&M and LSU and he plans to return to both for camps. He loved the weight room at A&M and he kept a close eye on Daylon Mack during the spring game. He checked in at 330 and he's trying to get down to 315. Coach Peveto has been leading the Aggies efforts for Oak Grove (LA) DT Kenean Caldwell. Caldwell knows him from going to camps at both LSU and Ole Miss and the two have a good bond. On the offensive line Camden (AR) Fairview offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins had one of the more impressive days on the field. He is one long dude and light on his feet with a solid base to build on. It is easy to see why so many are all over him. He had the best day I've seen him have and I have seen him at the Army Combine and the Under Armour Camp in the last four months. He still says he plans to take an unofficial. He is coming off unofficial visits to OU and Alabama, and he has official visits planned to Texas (May 5), Arkansas (June 13), and USC (June 22). He plans to take unofficials to Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Georgia. Coach Turner's ability to develop NFL OLs has not been lost on him, he definitely notices that and it's a positive. Wilkins did not say it but there is a lot of Oklahoma smoke on this one and Arkansas is definitely going to be in the fight until the end. I don't see this one going the way of the Aggies. Crandall OL Branson Bragg said he really enjoyed his last trip to A&M and gave me a lot of good stuff about sitting down with coach Turner. However, he did say Texas made a big push up his list after his most recent visit. He didn't say they were his leader but I'd put them at the top right now. At receiver Fort Worth Southwest's Nnamdi Adim-Madumere said he remains high on the Aggies. He has been busy taking a few visits recently. He was able to check out A&M, Minnesota, and Baylor. He is currently narrowing in on some favorites. The Aggies remain at the top of his list. He also mentioned Baylor and Minnesota as schools he is watching closely. Aledo 2020 RB Jase McClellan said he's still strong in his commitment to OU but he is very interested in A&M. The Aggies did go by last week and he plans to visit in May. He also mentioned Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Georgia as schools he has also had contact with. Mesquite Poteet 2020 RB Seth McGowan is also keeping in touch with the Aggies more. He caught up with coach Linguist last week and he plans to keep in touch with him on a regular basis. On the 2019 RB/FB/H-back front keep Fort Worth Nolan Catholic standout Chance Cover's name on your radar. He checked in at 6-3, 228 yesterday and he is seeing a lot of interest on the offensive side of the ball. A&M recently checked in with him and is eyeing him as a possible H-back target. At QB, Weatherford 2020 QB Ken Seals saw A&M came by the school last week and he plans to camp at A&M. It looks like communication is picking up there. Another 2020 to watch is Grapevine Faith's Deuce Hogan. He has family ties to A&M and is looking at camping this summer.