Joseph Johnson

The Aggie accelerated their hot streak on the recruiting traill, adding four-star Longview quarterback Haynes King to an already impressive list of summertime commitments. Billy Liucci details what the 2020 signal-caller means to Jimbo Fisher's second full class at A&M.

Jimbo Fisher and the Aggie coaches had a big day Tuesday with major prospects in both the 2020 and 2021 classes committing to A&M. Billy Liucci takes a closer look at the newest pledges, previews who could be next and reflects on some of the highlights from The Opening.

- I'll start with the Ft Bend Marshall duo of Malik Hornsby and Devon Achane. A pair of sources in Missouri City have expressed to me that Hornsby might be on the outs with North Carolina. It sounds like Tar Heel OC Phil Longo has different plans for Malik than maybe his lead recruiter did. Last weekend, Achane took an official visit to North Carolina by himself...meaning his mother (who's going to be a big part of his decision making process) and Hornsby did not accompany him to Chapel Hill. One of my contacts said the trip for Achane was nice, but in the end, he doesn't see UNC as a viable landing spot for Achane. On the A&M front, it sounds like Devon and his mom will be in College Station in late July for the Aggies' end of the summer recruiting event. - An east Texas source tells me tonight that members of the A&M staff are set to speak with Longview QB Haynes King on the phone as the highly touted signal caller moves closer to a decision. Tennessee has not let up here and still serves as the Ags' prime competitor. I did have a source tell me that, in terms of what Haynes is looking for development wise, there's no question the advantage lies with the Aggies. I'm still giving A&M the edge on this one, but because this one has been played close to the vest, it's really tough to be highly confident in that pick. - Just to back up Jason's report from earlier today, I've also been told by a different source to expect Memphis (TN) OL Chris Morris back in town for the late July recruiting event.- I'm still not ready to go all-in on Vernon Broughton to A&M, but my confidence is growing. It's sort of similar to the Derrick Hunter recruitment last cycle in that, from what I've heard after asking around, a few schools feel like they have reason to believe he'll pick them, but the one consistent team I hear is Texas A&M. - Received a pair of reports earlier today that indicated Texas has taken the lead for Bastrop Cedar Creek DE Alfred Collins. The good news for A&M is that I don't think Collins will make a decision any time soon, and the Aggies will get him and Princely Umanmielen in for an OV during the Bama game weekend. - It looks like many of the A&M cornerback targets are lining up decisions that first week of July. Joseph Johnson and Joshuah Moten are announcing their choices on July 2nd with Josh Eaton expected to make his choice on July 4th. A report out of Virginia I received today indicated that the Aggies still maintain the advantage for Johnson. If you look at the upcoming depth chart down the road, I think it would behoove the Aggies to load up with cover men in this class if they can close with the guys they really want. - Staying in Virginia, I spoke with a source near highly touted 2021 Virginia Beach CB Tony Grimes who made another trip to Aggieland last week. Tony and his crew were actually going to come by TexAgs before they headed out, but they stayed on campus longer than expected. My source said the Grimes' crew had an absolute blast with the A&M staff and players. "They love that place. Real talk," was one of the quotes I got. Every time I reach out to folks near Tony, I get the same response in regards to their visits to Aggieland and their affinity for the coaching staff. A&M has positioned themselves very well early on for one of the premier national prospects in that class. - I also was able to catch up with recent 2021 RB offer LJ Johnson Jr out of CyFair to get his thoughts on A&M after he spent the day camping with the Aggie staff earlier this month. "Coach Fisher was the one who made me the offer. He said he really liked my combination of speed, size, and burst the most. My favorite part of the day though was just seeing the campus and the facilities.""The entire atmosphere around the camp was great. Every one was competing and pushing each other. I liked that the coaches were coaching us hard and trying to get the best out of us."- Reminder that we are keeping an eye on the commitment decision from Smyrna (TN) DT Dallas Walker that is going to happen tomorrow at the Rivals 5 Star challenge in Atlanta.