For all your home, car, and life insurance needs, contact our sponsor:
Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
Aggies down to two?
From what we're hearing, A&M is narrowed its search for a basketball coach to two highly successful mid-major coaches: High Point's Alan Huss and Samford's Bucky McMillan. A hire needs to be made quickly.
Huss, 46, has been at High Point for two seasons. He has won the Big South Coach of the Year award both seasons. He is a combined 56-15 over two seasons, led them to the CBI championship game last year, won the Big South this year and took High Point to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 75-63 to Purdue.
McMillan, 47, has been at Samford for four season and won the Southern Conference Coach of the Year award three times. He has a record of 99-52, won the Southern Conference last year (clinching an NCAA auto-bid) and took Samford to the NIT this year. He has won 20 or more games in each of his four seasons, including a 29-6 record last season. He plays a very up-tempo style of offense, which would be a clear difference from the last regime.
Aggies make final three for massive OL
Euless Trinity G Pupungatoa Katoa has cut his final list to three and it's A&M, OU and SMU. He's one of those kids who apparently did not realize he's a Texas commit already, since there was a vibe he was going to go that way and he cut them. He will take an official in mid-June. SMU may be the threat here for the 4-star, simply due to proximity.
A&M still looking at more wideouts
The Aggies already have Mike Brown, Aaron Gregory and Madden Williams committed for 2026, but they're still trying to add to the list. You already know Boobie Feaster is coming in to visit (still an A&M-LSU battle, with Texas trying to get back in); they're working on 5-star Tristen Keys, LSU commitment or not (seems like a very weak commitment) and we should see more of him. Then Aledo 4-star Kaydon Finley, who we have heard very little about this cycle, is visiting this upcoming week and has a presumed top three of Notre Dame, A&M and Texas. North Forney QB Legend Bey could also factor in here. Bey is a speed merchant with great athletic ability and does not project as a quarterback at the next level. He could, however, be a slot receiver. I have a futurecast in for Bey, so that's one more player to watch.
I get the sense A&M is not thrilled with their depth at the position (reasonable) or the overall productivity they're getting from the 2024 receiver haul. I think they may look in the portal once spring ball is done as well.
Team notes
Freshman DE Marco Jones is making an impact quickly. The Navy's National Defensive Player of the Year has proven to be a natural pass rusher, picking up a couple of sacks in a recent scrimmage. If he keeps this up, there's no reason not to think that he will be a rotation player this season.
My suspicions about the defensive ends was pretty much confirmed by DC Jay Bateman at the press conference Wednesday, in that they're intentionally looking for slimmer, faster defensive ends with the departure of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton. Only one of their current group, Kendall Jackson, is over 260 pounds, and that's how they want it this season. They're using "true edge rushers" with increased speed on the outside. Cashius Howell will start at one end, and it looks like Deyon Hayes or TJ Searcy will be at the other. My guess is it will be Hayes, but they really like what they've gotten out of both transfers.
My concerns about the defensive tackle have not abated. DJ Sanders is plenty big at 315 pounds, but I'd like to see more from him before passing a judgement. Landon Rink just looks too small weight-wise to play inside fulltime, which takes me back to thinking he's a hybrid. Chace Sims can definitely play inside, but he needs to bulk up. So that leaves Albert Regis, DJ Hicks, Dealyn Evans and Tyler Onyedim. I could see them checking out the portal at the end of the spring here.
Julian Humphrey and Jordan Shaw, two transfer defensive backs, have been stars so far this camp. Humphrey is looking to beat out Dezz Ricks to start opposite Will Lee, and I think right now he's got the edge (not that it matters). Shaw will work with Tyreek Chappell at nickel, and they may find other ways to get him on the field.
There's been a lot of drilling of the defensive backs to get them out of the bad habits that cost them down the stretch last season. We'll see how it goes.
Mark Nabou looks like he's taking back the lead in the competition at center. Looking at the linemen, he's just physically bigger (taller, broader) than Koli Faaiu. I think that works to his advantage.
Right now, I think A&M has four receivers it trusts: KC Concepcion, Mario Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey. Izaiah Williams is probably receiver five, even though I like what I've seen from Kelshaun Johnson. They've got to see what they can get from Jerome Myles this summer, but I could see them looking at the portal.
I think we could see some two-TE sets with Kiotti Armstrong and Amari Niblack to use their ability to push down the field. Both have impressed so far.
Miles O'Neill is not going to just sit back and let Jacob Zeno take the backup job. We're told his recognition and accuracy have improved over the offseason and I can tell he's getting rid of the ball faster. Brady Hart isn't going to play this year barring disaster, but his arm talent has impressed me in practices.
Sure, at this point, why not?
Closer Josh Stewart is heading for knee surgery according to coach Michael Earley. That's another massive blow to a team that has been pounded by injuries. 1B Gavin Kash will also be out this weekend after getting hurt last weekend.
Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
Aggies down to two?
From what we're hearing, A&M is narrowed its search for a basketball coach to two highly successful mid-major coaches: High Point's Alan Huss and Samford's Bucky McMillan. A hire needs to be made quickly.
Huss, 46, has been at High Point for two seasons. He has won the Big South Coach of the Year award both seasons. He is a combined 56-15 over two seasons, led them to the CBI championship game last year, won the Big South this year and took High Point to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 75-63 to Purdue.
McMillan, 47, has been at Samford for four season and won the Southern Conference Coach of the Year award three times. He has a record of 99-52, won the Southern Conference last year (clinching an NCAA auto-bid) and took Samford to the NIT this year. He has won 20 or more games in each of his four seasons, including a 29-6 record last season. He plays a very up-tempo style of offense, which would be a clear difference from the last regime.
Aggies make final three for massive OL
Euless Trinity G Pupungatoa Katoa has cut his final list to three and it's A&M, OU and SMU. He's one of those kids who apparently did not realize he's a Texas commit already, since there was a vibe he was going to go that way and he cut them. He will take an official in mid-June. SMU may be the threat here for the 4-star, simply due to proximity.
A&M still looking at more wideouts
The Aggies already have Mike Brown, Aaron Gregory and Madden Williams committed for 2026, but they're still trying to add to the list. You already know Boobie Feaster is coming in to visit (still an A&M-LSU battle, with Texas trying to get back in); they're working on 5-star Tristen Keys, LSU commitment or not (seems like a very weak commitment) and we should see more of him. Then Aledo 4-star Kaydon Finley, who we have heard very little about this cycle, is visiting this upcoming week and has a presumed top three of Notre Dame, A&M and Texas. North Forney QB Legend Bey could also factor in here. Bey is a speed merchant with great athletic ability and does not project as a quarterback at the next level. He could, however, be a slot receiver. I have a futurecast in for Bey, so that's one more player to watch.
I get the sense A&M is not thrilled with their depth at the position (reasonable) or the overall productivity they're getting from the 2024 receiver haul. I think they may look in the portal once spring ball is done as well.
Team notes
Freshman DE Marco Jones is making an impact quickly. The Navy's National Defensive Player of the Year has proven to be a natural pass rusher, picking up a couple of sacks in a recent scrimmage. If he keeps this up, there's no reason not to think that he will be a rotation player this season.
My suspicions about the defensive ends was pretty much confirmed by DC Jay Bateman at the press conference Wednesday, in that they're intentionally looking for slimmer, faster defensive ends with the departure of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton. Only one of their current group, Kendall Jackson, is over 260 pounds, and that's how they want it this season. They're using "true edge rushers" with increased speed on the outside. Cashius Howell will start at one end, and it looks like Deyon Hayes or TJ Searcy will be at the other. My guess is it will be Hayes, but they really like what they've gotten out of both transfers.
My concerns about the defensive tackle have not abated. DJ Sanders is plenty big at 315 pounds, but I'd like to see more from him before passing a judgement. Landon Rink just looks too small weight-wise to play inside fulltime, which takes me back to thinking he's a hybrid. Chace Sims can definitely play inside, but he needs to bulk up. So that leaves Albert Regis, DJ Hicks, Dealyn Evans and Tyler Onyedim. I could see them checking out the portal at the end of the spring here.
Julian Humphrey and Jordan Shaw, two transfer defensive backs, have been stars so far this camp. Humphrey is looking to beat out Dezz Ricks to start opposite Will Lee, and I think right now he's got the edge (not that it matters). Shaw will work with Tyreek Chappell at nickel, and they may find other ways to get him on the field.
There's been a lot of drilling of the defensive backs to get them out of the bad habits that cost them down the stretch last season. We'll see how it goes.
Mark Nabou looks like he's taking back the lead in the competition at center. Looking at the linemen, he's just physically bigger (taller, broader) than Koli Faaiu. I think that works to his advantage.
Right now, I think A&M has four receivers it trusts: KC Concepcion, Mario Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey. Izaiah Williams is probably receiver five, even though I like what I've seen from Kelshaun Johnson. They've got to see what they can get from Jerome Myles this summer, but I could see them looking at the portal.
I think we could see some two-TE sets with Kiotti Armstrong and Amari Niblack to use their ability to push down the field. Both have impressed so far.
Miles O'Neill is not going to just sit back and let Jacob Zeno take the backup job. We're told his recognition and accuracy have improved over the offseason and I can tell he's getting rid of the ball faster. Brady Hart isn't going to play this year barring disaster, but his arm talent has impressed me in practices.
Sure, at this point, why not?
Closer Josh Stewart is heading for knee surgery according to coach Michael Earley. That's another massive blow to a team that has been pounded by injuries. 1B Gavin Kash will also be out this weekend after getting hurt last weekend.
