Javonne Shepherd

Terry Price and Mo Linguist were in Bastrop today to see Cedar Creek DE Alfred Collins again. TP has been out that way quite a bit already in 2019, and it seems like the Aggie staff has put a major target on Collins as one of their top end guys in the 2020 class. Something else to note: it's during this spring evaluation period that the "big board" so to speak really starts coming into focus a bit more. There are multiple reasons for that, but I think it's mainly the fact that the entire staff finally gets to sit down and focus much of their attention on the 2020 class and their junior film. They also get a better feel for the kid off the field as they hit high schools across the state and country and meet with high school coaching staffs. It wouldn't shock me to see some names gain and lose momentum over the next few months based solely on evals. Another name I've heard will get a big push is Lucedale (MS) 5 star DT McKinnley Jackson. Now, everyone in America is going to do what they can to get this kid, but a source out in Mississippi told me Jackson has always held the Aggies in high regard. With 2020 being a slower year for in state DT's ( Branard Wright not withstanding), it's highly plausible for A&M to look outside the borders of the Lone Star State to find their interior guys. We've had multiple sources tell us that Baton Rouge DT Jaquelin Roy is likely to turn up on campus this weekend. Roy is an LSU commit that camped in College Station last summer and become very fond of the A&M DL staff as well as formed a quick, strong relationship with OL commit Josh Bankhead. Bankhead will certainly be in town this weekend and will be hard on the trail for the Aggies. One more out of state DL note: I think the Aggies will get another visit from Fadil Diggs on the east coast at some point this summer.I was told earlier this evening that 2020 LB Jackson Bratton from Muscle Shoals (AL) will make his way to campus early this weekend - maybe as soon as Friday night. The Alabama commit has been recruited by Bradley Dale Peveto for the Aggies. Lastly, I stated in today's edition of "The Trail" and on another thread that I personally believe Javonne Shepherd will sign with Texas next week. This is 100% based on gut feel of the situation. The Aggies certainly took hold of the momentum in this whole deal after the official visit, and there were definitely murmurs of a cancelled trip to Austin. It was then that I thought the A&M staff was going to be adding to their OL group. However, Shep will visit Texas this weekend, and I believe the Horns will lock things down. Again, that's just my assessment. There are people that will tell you they feel good about the Ags' chances, and I certainly wouldn't knock them for feeling that way. I feel like anyone saying they definitively know what's going to happen with Shep is jumping the gun a bit. If signing day were two weeks ago, I'd feel confident calling this one for the Maroon & White. We will continue to check in with sources on this one right up until next Wednesday.