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Nine conference games looking more likely
For the past couple of years, the SEC has said publicly that they are “studying” the idea of going to a nine-game conference schedule, which is why the 2024 schedule is simply being flipped. Privately, however, the message has been clear: you want another conference game, you pay for it.
It looks like ESPN/ABC has finally gotten to the point where they’re willing to.
According to The Athletic, ESPN has indicated that they’ll add more money to the already $811 million a year deal it has with the SEC to get another conference game. The price tag will be considerable, estimated at between $50 million and $80 million a year. But, considering the ratings bonanza SEC football was for ESPN/ABC last year, it's worth the extra chunk of change.
Expecting a quite June commit-wise, but look out for July
June is an absolutely critical month for 2026 recruiting, as A&M will have the lion's share of their official visitors in. I'm not expecting a whole lot of immediate commitments, if any, but that could change very quickly in July. Two A&M targets, DT Lamar Brown and LB Tai'Yion "Tank" King are both scheduled to commit on Independence Day. Right now, I'd give A&M the edge for both of them.
5-star receiver and site favorite Ethan "Boobie" Feaster has said he'd like to announce a commitment on or about the 10th of July. A&M is now favored for him, after longtime leader LSU has slipped back. Feaster would give A&M the best wideout class in the nation, but right now LSU would have the edge with their three against A&M's three. With Tristen Keys and Jabri Mack committed to LSU, the numbers game leans A&M's way for Feaster -- and his family loves Mike Elko.
ATH Legend Bey, who has added a fourth star and exploded on the recruiting trail this spring, will make an official visit May 22 and could commit after he gets done with his officials. His last one is June 20 to Notre Dame, the team I think is A&M's biggest competition. Bey would also likely be a wideout.
The Aggies are after a lot of quality corners, including 5-star Brandon Arrington and 4-star Dorian Barney, but there's another big corner that the Aggies are in good shape for: Goodyear (Ariz.) Desert Edge 4-star Camren Hamiel. Hamiel is down to a final four (announced today) of Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska and A&M and the Aggies are presumed to lead for him. CB Coach Jordan Peterson targeted him early and has worked hard on this one, and the Aggies will get Hamiel's last official on June 20.
Freshmen most likely to play (as of right now)
I don't see any freshmen starting, though there's a chance one does. But there may be a need for a few to play some time -- and a couple others may force the coaching staff's hand.
The one I think has a chance at starting is 4-star WR Jerome Myles, who will be on campus in a couple of weeks when Summer I starts. He brings size they need (6-foot-4) and, if he's as good as they anticipate, he may be a starter with KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. At the least, he could push Terry Bussey and Ashton Bethel-Roman.
DE Marco Jones has already worked his way into the equation with his extremely impressive spring. He could be on the field as the JACK right off the bat.
One of the freshmen corners will almost certainly play. Judging from the spring, Adonyss Currie is well on the way to being that guy. Maybe they can avoid it if they decide to use Tyreek Chappell on the outside on occasion, but otherwise one of the freshmen is almost certainly going to be needed.
Kiotti Armstrong could play at tight end. They need a pass catcher and he and Amari Niblack are the two who can fill that role.
LB Noah Mikhail probably wouldn't play a lot, but he also had an excellent spring and could find his way on the field. Size-wise, he's ready.
What will Lamkin do?
Lefty starter Justin Lamkin is a junior and is having a very solid year, with a 3.88 ERA in spite of a 3-6 record. He's struck out 75 and walked just 11 in 67 1/3 innings. In spite of his stats and his excellent fastball/slider mix, he still isn't getting a ton of love from scouts for whatever reason. Most estimates have him ranked in the low 100s when it comes to 2025 draft prospects, or about where Ryan Prager was last year. I've seen a lot of speculation that he's a mid-round pick at this point, which is lower than I would have expected. Prager was the highest draft pick not to sign last year, so A&M can clearly get the NIL money together to keep a quality starter. Whether Lamkin would follow Prager's lead isn't clear -- I would guess he doesn't and leaves -- but at least it could be interesting.
If Lamkin and Shane Sdao both return -- which is a big if -- then A&M has a stacked rotation again. It may be easier to keep Myles Patton, since he's knocked a little lower than Lamkin, but it's no walk in the park to convince a junior to stay for a senior season if they're drafted moderatly high.
Still, it's something to follow after what happened with Prager last year.
