For all your home, car, and life insurance needs, contact our sponsor:
Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
Expect swift movement on the coaching front after season's end
There's very, very little chance that A&M does not make a move to hire an offensive coordinator and that move should come real fast. I've said that several times over the past couple of months, but now we're getting down to the wire. Things are being held extremely close to the vest in terms of who the hire will be, but I do think they've either got the deal clinched or it's close. I'm not totally sure of that, but that's the indications I've gotten.
Three names to know
The wish list has, again, been kept close to the vest, but I think the hire will be one of three guys -- if I'm getting the vibes right. The top three preferences, and don't take order as any indication, are UNC's Phil Longo, TCU's Garrett Riley and Baylor's Jeff Grimes. Longo is a little older and may be the safer long-term move, as Riley and Grimes are going to be on head coach short lists in a hurry if they are able to get A&M's offense rolling again. On the other hand, Riley and Grimes are both names that will seriously get the attention of offensive players across the region.
I don't know if all offensive position coaches will be let go with the hiring of the new OC, but it's likely he will have a list of guys he'd like to bring in. I think RB coach Tommie Robinson and WR coach James Coley are probably best positioned to stick around. There's really no reason to think about getting rid of Robinson, as he's done a great job with both Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, and the wideouts have improved under Coley.
The offensive line change, especially, could come real quick. Not a new hire, but certainly a relieving of duties.
In case you were wondering...
Jimbo, I have heard, is on board with the changes being made. As has been said a few times, he's got pride and an ego, but he's also not blind. The results speak for themselves.
A&M should be closer to full health tomorrow
From what I can tell, it looks like the Aggies will have WR Evan Stewart and RB Devon Achane back tomorrow. It's more likely that Achane goes than Stewart, who really got his bell rung against Auburn, but I still expect both to go. S Jacoby Mathews should also be back, so A&M will have as close to a full secondary as they've had in a while. They could use quite a few backups back as well, so I'll be on the lookout closer to gametime to see what they've got.
Ags get last shot at at least two targets
4-star New Orleans De La Salle OL Caden Jones and 5-star Katy Paetow DE DJ Hicks will both make their official visits the final weekend before early signing, Dec. 16-18. That makes me feel pretty good about adding Jones and keeping Hicks. That weekend has the potential to be very important should the new offensive coaches be in place by then.
Gathering up the visitors for tomorrow, but the years are starting to change
Hicks will be in town tomorrow as will most of the 2023 commits. But most of the visitors I've heard about are 2024 and 2025 players. Some of those include IMG 2024 RB
Jerrick Gibson and Katy Mayde Creek QB Reggie McNeal Jr. I'm pretty sure his dad requires no introduction. I'll get more names and post them as I can.
Waiting for the portal to open
One thing that you've heard Jimbo say repeatedly this fall is how he misses seniors and upperclass leadership. With only 9 graduating seniors and a small recruiting class, it seems like more of the same unless you hit the transfer portal. I expect they'll have some more wiggle room after some players leave -- I now don't see how 3 of the 4 best-known suspended players come back, for starters -- and they're going to be targeting upperclassmen. There have been several FCS players that have already gone into the portal as grad transfers who put up massive numbers. Before you scoff, there have been a pretty good number of former FCS players who have made the jump to FBS and performed well. All the same, the real shopping will (allegedly) begin on the 5th of December.
More complete visitor list
Katy Paetow 5-star DE and A&M commit DJ Hicks
Katy Paetow 4-star LB and A&M commit Damyion Sanford
Southlake Carroll 3-star and A&M commit P/K Tyler White
Shiner 4-star DB and A&M commit Dalton Brooks
Philadelphia Imhotep 3-star OL and A&M commit Naquil Bertrand
LaGrange 4-star CB and A&M commit Bravion Rogers
San Antonio Smithson Valley 4-star OL and A&M commit Colton Thomasson
Atascocita 3-star DT and A&M commit Samu Taumanupepe
South Oak Cliff 4-star CB and A&M commit Jayvon Thomas
Nashville 3-star dual threat QB and Ole Miss commit
Marcel Reed
Longview Pine Tree 2024 3-star DE and A&M commit Dealyn Evans
Katy Tompkins 2024 3-star OL and A&M commit Ashton Funk
IMG Academy 2024 4-star RB Jerrick Gibson
Fairburn (Ga.) 2024 4-star QB
Prentiss "Air" Noland (offered this week)
Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton 4-star WR
Debron Gatling (LT Overton went to Milton)
Silsbee 2024 4-star WR
Dre'lon Miller
Smithson Valley 4-star WR
Freddie Dubose
Fort Bend Hightower 4-star WR
Zion Kearney
