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Pavia rule changes portal entirely
Last week, a federal court issued an injunction giving Vandy QB Diego Pavia an extra year of eligibility, agreeing with his argument that his JUCO season should not count against his service time at the major college level. The NCAA, as they normally do, caved and gave seniors who had been JUCOs at one point another season. That opened the floodgates for former JUCOs who might be marginal draft prospects at this point, as they will have an extra year. Right now, this rule applies
only to former JUCOs that were seniors this past season.
The Aggies quickly jumped in, offering former FSU receiver Malik Benson (25 catches, 311 yards, 1 TD), who was the number one JUCO receiver in the nation two years ago. They also offered former Louisiana Tech wideout Tru Edwards (77 catches, 897 yards, 6 TDs), who received a flood of offers when the change was announced and he went in the portal.
Benson will visit A&M shortly after the dead period ends, or after the first of the year. No word on Edwards yet. I expect A&M will also be after some defensive linemen who have more eligibility left.
Concepcion seems to be down to two
KC Concepcion visited A&M last week and, from what I've heard, seems to be looking hardest at the Aggies and Colorado at this point (unless, of course, someone makes a better offer). He has not disclosed a timetable, but he doesn't have any visits scheduled. There was talk of him taking a look at UNC, but that doesn't seem to have come to fruition. A&M's pursuit of Benson and/or Edwards has no effect on their interest in Concepcion. They'd like to take at least one, but more likely two, more receivers.
Sure looks like Owens will play tonight
I've seen some concern on here about whether Rueben Owens will be ready to play tonight in the Las Vegas Bowl. The answer is yes, he's going to play. He's gone through practice without issue and has looked good. He probably won't get the full load of carries that an RB1 would get, but on the other hand, he may get more work than most expect.
There are injury concerns
OL Ar'maj Reed-Adams showed up at yesterday's luncheon with his left arm in a sling. That, of course, is not good news. If he can't play tonight, then true freshman Blake Ivy will likely take his place. Originally recruited as a tackle, the former 4-star has been at right guard much of the year.
I've also heard rumblings that Amari Daniels may not be a go tonight. I don't know if that's definitely the case, but that would clearly be a big loss and a real bummer, because he has been a team guy for the last couple of years and deserves his time in the spotlight. If he can't go, that of course means more Owens and EJ Smith.
Opt-outs or key transfers out for tonight's game
A&M: Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton
USC: RBs Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner (Marks opted out, Joyner transferred to Texas Tech)
WRs Zachariah Branch, Kyron Hudson, Duce Williams (all transferred)
RT Mason Murphy (transferred to Auburn)
CB Jaylin Smith (opted out)
S Zion Branch (transferred)
DE Sam Greene (transferred)
Juggling the desire to win with 2025 prep
Clearly, the Aggies are going to look different tonight. Cashius Howell and Rylan Kennedy will start at defensive end and DJ Hicks will start next to Albert Regis at defensive tackle (and that's big pair of dudes). Ernest Campbell, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Izaiah Williams are looking at real playing time at receiver, and expect them to get some playing time. DE Solomon Williams will play as well. Coach Elko said that they're treating the game as a start to 2025, but they also want to win to finish off 2024 in a good way.
Where A&M stands with the nation's top recruit for 2026
There was an article from a USA Today-affiliated site that indicated A&M is in a strong position with 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell, who is currently Rivals' number one player in the nation for the 2026 class. I'm not nearly that optimistic. He
is interested in A&M and he does like Elko and Adam Cushing, but the Missouri native has been looking at a lot of Big 10 schools (Michigan and Ohio State, for instance) and hasn't been down to Aggieland since early this year. If they can get him back down here for one of their elite junior days next month or early February, then you can take them seriously as a contender. But right now, I think anything else is pure conjecture.
