Aggies add Georgia quarterback Cade Fortin to 2018 class

Noel Mazzone has been on the job in Aggieland for all of about six months. During that time, the veteran offensive coordinator has not only displayed the ability to quickly identify his primary targets at the quarterback position, but has also proven to be a remarkably quick closer.

On Monday, Mazzone landed another key piece of the Ags' offensive future when he and Kevin Sumlin earned a commitment from Cade Fortin, one of the nation's top ten signal-callers from the Class of 2018.

During the spring evaluation period, the first-year Aggie assistant traveled all over Texas, from Florida to California and to all points in between while putting together his quarterback board for not only the current class but sophomores and juniors to be, too.

When the 2018 wish list materialized, the Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett gunslinger was at or near the very top. Fortin then made the trip to College Station, where he blew away Mazzone and the Aggie offensive staff with a plus arm, next-level mechanics, accuracy and footwork, high character and unmistakable, high-end potential. 

The 6-2, 210-pounder throws a very accurate, catchable ball, has a quick release and is already a good-sized prospect who will probably arrive in Aggieland at well over 6-3 and 225 pounds two years from now.

Capable of standing tall in the pocket, throwing on the run and even making things happen with his legs, Cade can make all of the big-boy, college football throws as a high school junior-to-be.

He shows tremendous timing and touch on his passes and has a knack for throwing his receivers open, especially on slants, fades and deep, sideline shots.

As a runner, the newest member of the Aggie quarterback fraternity isn't Johnny Manziel or even Trevor Knight, but he's more than athletic and talented enough to move the chains and keep defenses honest in both the designed QB-run game and when forced to improvise.

To be honest, Ryan Tannehill wouldn't be a bad comparison here.

As far as intangibles are concerned, Cade is a 4.0 student, is athletic and tough enough that he approached 20 sacks as a defensive end in eighth grade and started at linebacker early in his high school career.

He was also sacked nearly 50 times last fall playing behind a rebuilt offensive line and (not counting leaving blowout wins early) missed just one snap all season.

As a sophomore, Fortin took over as North Gwinnett's starter and completed 130-of-255 passes for 1,475 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing 8 picks.

His breakout 2015 campaign was enough to put him on the map, but Cade's continued development during the spring evaluation period led directly to offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, Iowa, North Carolina, West Virginia, Cal and Louisville, among others. The state's No. 1-ranked signal-caller from the '18 class is also drawing serious interest from the likes of Stanford, Florida State, Florida and the home-state Georgia Bulldogs.

Believe me when I say this is one of those commitments that looks good now but will look even better as Fortin's recruiting stock soars during his junior season this fall. Mazzone and the Aggies jumped into this one ahead of the curve and were rewarded for their homework and willingness to tab Cade as 'their guy' from the outset.

If you're scoring at home, that's four quarterback commitments in six months on the job for Coach Mazzone – one each from the '16 (Nick Starkel) and '18 classes, plus a pair of 2017 verbals (Connor Blumrick and Kellen Mond). Fortin joins Elkins OL Luke Matthews and Dickinson WR Montel Parker on Texas A&M's very early junior commit list.

Finally, it's worth noting that, despite the national media's refusal to let a story that actually played out prior to Mazzone's arrival rest, the Aggies have not only had a nice run of success at the position but are also having to turn away some high-end quarterback talent.

Fortin actually informed Sumlin and Mazzone that he was ready to commit on Saturday, which was around the same time that four-star, nationally-ranked New Jersey passer Allan Walters Jr. was on the verge of choosing the Maroon & White himself following a 'home run' visit to College Station this past weekend.