Injury update
The Aggies are as healthy as they have been at any point this year, with both Speedy Noil and James White supposedly close to 100% and ready to go tomorrow. Both, we’ve been told, practiced all week. Wideout Jeremy Tabuyo also got back out on the practice field this week and could also play against Alabama, which would be a pretty remarkable recovery from knee surgery three weeks ago.
One player who won’t be on the field, and won’t be for the rest of 2015, is Otaro Alaka. He’s had shoulder surgery and his year is over. Due to the few games he played, however, he is an excellent candidate for a medical redshirt and will likely gain another year. That, in and of itself, is a big deal for the Aggies. For now, though, Alaka will be replaced by Claude George and Riley Garner moves into the two deep. That may not matter as much as it could, however, as the Aggies have leaned more on a 4-2-5 set with Donovan Wilson and Noel Ellis on the field. The Aggies have played their best defense with the aggressive Wilson out there, so look for A.J. Hilliard and Shaan Washington to remain the primary linebackers with Wilson continuing to play a very aggressive nickel.
More than payback on A&M’s mind
When asked if anything good comes out of losing 59-0 to Alabama last year, Kevin Sumlin bluntly said “no.” It did, however, change a lot of things in the program. It sealed the fate of Mark Snyder, led to the change to Dave Christensen as the new O-line coach and running game coordinator and the departure of Kenny Hill. Even though A&M didn’t endure a lot of turnover from last year to this, the starters are very different: new QB, two new slot receivers (RSJ didn’t play last year), new left tackle, new left guard, new right guard, new DE, new DT, new linebacker, new nickel, new corner and two new safeties (Floyd Raven started over Armani Watts).
Last year, the Aggies were totally lacking in self-confidence by the time this game came around and were struggling with locker room turmoil. This year, the team has a much-improved outlook and a locker room where guys like each other. Upperclassmen and players like Allen and Myles Garrett have made it a point not to allow the hype that filled their ears last year when the Aggies started 5-0 to get to them this year.
The intensity level for the past two weeks has been a lot higher, as you’d expect. A&M is not only looking to win and go 6-0, they want to prove that they can sit there and be just as physical as the elite SEC West teams and come out on top. It’s a matter of restoring their pride as well as getting revenge.
How big of a weekend is this recruiting wise for A&M (Fletch)?
Without stating obvious things such as the biggest ever or just saying huge, this is the type of recruiting weekend you could have that takes a program into the next level. Right now, you could say from a completely unbiased opinion that Texas A&M is anywhere from 15-25 in the polls about every year. Sometimes they’re higher, sometimes lower, but most A&M fans expect 15-25 every year. In the Big XII, that could get you anywhere from first-third every year. In the SEC, that gets you third-fourth in your division. I have always said about this recruiting class that there is not a lot of flashy guys. There is no Kyler Murray making big plays at quarterback, there is no DaMarkus Lodge making amazing catches, but what there is in Texas for 2016 is offensive lineman and defensive lineman. A&M has a great haul of offensive lineman already, they just two more to seal the deal on a really good class. A&M is going to fight hard for Ed Oliver all the way to the end and it appears things might be progressing along well for TD Moton to come to A&M. They have two of the three best defensive ends in the state already. When you combine that with a really good chance of landing the Arizona duo of N’Keal Harry and Bryon Murphy, you’re looking at a class that provides a great building block that takes A&M to a level where people will stop saying “Will A&M make a major bowl game this year?” to saying “Which major bowl game will A&M make this season?” This recruiting class could turn A&M into a team that you think is top ten every year, not a team that is in the 15-25 range where a lot of people think A&M is right now. It also sets the building blocks for a great 2017 class. Sure Baylor may have all the in-state offensive threats in 2017 right now, but A&M has shown they can go out of state and get the offensive threats such as Kyle Allen and Speedy Noil in 2014, Christian Kirk in 2016, and Tate Martell in 2017.
How many commits could you really expect this weekend? (Fletch)
I have seen this question asked a lot over the last few weeks and to be honest with you, putting an exact number is difficult because you do have to factor in things such as the final score of the game. If A&M wins, more kids are likely to commit. If A&M loses, less kids are likely to commit. I do think A&M brought some kids in this weekend that they’re thinking about offering and if A&M chooses to offer, they will commit on the spot and cause a chain reaction of commits. A couple will probably commit on the spot win or lose. If A&M is able to win the game on Saturday, I could very well see three-five kids commit depending on if one or two get an offer. If they lose, maybe two commits, but even the two commits they get would still be a huge get for them.
Is A&M starting to look at JUCO OL (Fletch)?
I have noticed a trend that A&M coaches are starting to follow some JUCO offensive lineman on Twitter and that might mean that A&M could be looking for some JUCO guys down the road if they feel they need them. One of the recruits who you might hear about soon is Nassau C.C. (NY) OL Malcolm Pridgeon. He is a big six foot, eight inches, 285-pound lineman who is also going to graduate in December. A&M might be feeling out who is interested in them and who would seriously consider A&M if they decided to offer a JUCO offensive lineman. Not saying expect an offer soon because I think plan A is Kellen Diesch and Jean Delance. If one or both decide not to commit to A&M, that could open the door for a JUCO lineman. Speaking of Kellen Diesch, I will be at his game tonight to see him and 2018 OL target Justin Simpson in action and I’ll have a thread going if I can on the two.
A friendly public service announcement:
I know a lot of you know the rule already, but we might have some new people or people who forgot the rule so we’ll just remind everybody again. We can’t contact a recruit on an official visit. It doesn’t matter if A&M wins 59-0, we can’t call them. We will lose our credentials. We will contact the official visits on Sunday and the unofficial recruits as soon as the game ends and we will make sure that we get in contact with those on unofficial visits as fast as possibly can so we can update you ASAP.
Georgia WR set to visit (Matt):
Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern wide receiver Tyler Simmons will be in College Station this weekend to watch the Aggies take on Alabama.
“I received my offer from Texas A&M on June 14th, so it’s been about four months,” Simmons said. “Coach (Aaron) Moorehead is my recruiter and I’m excited to see the coaches again.”
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver camped with the Aggies this summer and it says a lot that he would unofficially visit the program from Georgia.
In addition to the offer from Texas A&M, Simmons also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Georgia and several others.
Rated a three-star prospect, Simmons is the No. 90 rated receiver in the nation and the No. 50 player on the Rivals.com Georgia Preseason Top 75 for the 2016 class.
(Visitor list in the next post)
The Aggies are as healthy as they have been at any point this year, with both Speedy Noil and James White supposedly close to 100% and ready to go tomorrow. Both, we’ve been told, practiced all week. Wideout Jeremy Tabuyo also got back out on the practice field this week and could also play against Alabama, which would be a pretty remarkable recovery from knee surgery three weeks ago.
One player who won’t be on the field, and won’t be for the rest of 2015, is Otaro Alaka. He’s had shoulder surgery and his year is over. Due to the few games he played, however, he is an excellent candidate for a medical redshirt and will likely gain another year. That, in and of itself, is a big deal for the Aggies. For now, though, Alaka will be replaced by Claude George and Riley Garner moves into the two deep. That may not matter as much as it could, however, as the Aggies have leaned more on a 4-2-5 set with Donovan Wilson and Noel Ellis on the field. The Aggies have played their best defense with the aggressive Wilson out there, so look for A.J. Hilliard and Shaan Washington to remain the primary linebackers with Wilson continuing to play a very aggressive nickel.
More than payback on A&M’s mind
When asked if anything good comes out of losing 59-0 to Alabama last year, Kevin Sumlin bluntly said “no.” It did, however, change a lot of things in the program. It sealed the fate of Mark Snyder, led to the change to Dave Christensen as the new O-line coach and running game coordinator and the departure of Kenny Hill. Even though A&M didn’t endure a lot of turnover from last year to this, the starters are very different: new QB, two new slot receivers (RSJ didn’t play last year), new left tackle, new left guard, new right guard, new DE, new DT, new linebacker, new nickel, new corner and two new safeties (Floyd Raven started over Armani Watts).
Last year, the Aggies were totally lacking in self-confidence by the time this game came around and were struggling with locker room turmoil. This year, the team has a much-improved outlook and a locker room where guys like each other. Upperclassmen and players like Allen and Myles Garrett have made it a point not to allow the hype that filled their ears last year when the Aggies started 5-0 to get to them this year.
The intensity level for the past two weeks has been a lot higher, as you’d expect. A&M is not only looking to win and go 6-0, they want to prove that they can sit there and be just as physical as the elite SEC West teams and come out on top. It’s a matter of restoring their pride as well as getting revenge.
How big of a weekend is this recruiting wise for A&M (Fletch)?
Without stating obvious things such as the biggest ever or just saying huge, this is the type of recruiting weekend you could have that takes a program into the next level. Right now, you could say from a completely unbiased opinion that Texas A&M is anywhere from 15-25 in the polls about every year. Sometimes they’re higher, sometimes lower, but most A&M fans expect 15-25 every year. In the Big XII, that could get you anywhere from first-third every year. In the SEC, that gets you third-fourth in your division. I have always said about this recruiting class that there is not a lot of flashy guys. There is no Kyler Murray making big plays at quarterback, there is no DaMarkus Lodge making amazing catches, but what there is in Texas for 2016 is offensive lineman and defensive lineman. A&M has a great haul of offensive lineman already, they just two more to seal the deal on a really good class. A&M is going to fight hard for Ed Oliver all the way to the end and it appears things might be progressing along well for TD Moton to come to A&M. They have two of the three best defensive ends in the state already. When you combine that with a really good chance of landing the Arizona duo of N’Keal Harry and Bryon Murphy, you’re looking at a class that provides a great building block that takes A&M to a level where people will stop saying “Will A&M make a major bowl game this year?” to saying “Which major bowl game will A&M make this season?” This recruiting class could turn A&M into a team that you think is top ten every year, not a team that is in the 15-25 range where a lot of people think A&M is right now. It also sets the building blocks for a great 2017 class. Sure Baylor may have all the in-state offensive threats in 2017 right now, but A&M has shown they can go out of state and get the offensive threats such as Kyle Allen and Speedy Noil in 2014, Christian Kirk in 2016, and Tate Martell in 2017.
How many commits could you really expect this weekend? (Fletch)
I have seen this question asked a lot over the last few weeks and to be honest with you, putting an exact number is difficult because you do have to factor in things such as the final score of the game. If A&M wins, more kids are likely to commit. If A&M loses, less kids are likely to commit. I do think A&M brought some kids in this weekend that they’re thinking about offering and if A&M chooses to offer, they will commit on the spot and cause a chain reaction of commits. A couple will probably commit on the spot win or lose. If A&M is able to win the game on Saturday, I could very well see three-five kids commit depending on if one or two get an offer. If they lose, maybe two commits, but even the two commits they get would still be a huge get for them.
Is A&M starting to look at JUCO OL (Fletch)?
I have noticed a trend that A&M coaches are starting to follow some JUCO offensive lineman on Twitter and that might mean that A&M could be looking for some JUCO guys down the road if they feel they need them. One of the recruits who you might hear about soon is Nassau C.C. (NY) OL Malcolm Pridgeon. He is a big six foot, eight inches, 285-pound lineman who is also going to graduate in December. A&M might be feeling out who is interested in them and who would seriously consider A&M if they decided to offer a JUCO offensive lineman. Not saying expect an offer soon because I think plan A is Kellen Diesch and Jean Delance. If one or both decide not to commit to A&M, that could open the door for a JUCO lineman. Speaking of Kellen Diesch, I will be at his game tonight to see him and 2018 OL target Justin Simpson in action and I’ll have a thread going if I can on the two.
A friendly public service announcement:
I know a lot of you know the rule already, but we might have some new people or people who forgot the rule so we’ll just remind everybody again. We can’t contact a recruit on an official visit. It doesn’t matter if A&M wins 59-0, we can’t call them. We will lose our credentials. We will contact the official visits on Sunday and the unofficial recruits as soon as the game ends and we will make sure that we get in contact with those on unofficial visits as fast as possibly can so we can update you ASAP.
Georgia WR set to visit (Matt):
Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern wide receiver Tyler Simmons will be in College Station this weekend to watch the Aggies take on Alabama.
“I received my offer from Texas A&M on June 14th, so it’s been about four months,” Simmons said. “Coach (Aaron) Moorehead is my recruiter and I’m excited to see the coaches again.”
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver camped with the Aggies this summer and it says a lot that he would unofficially visit the program from Georgia.
In addition to the offer from Texas A&M, Simmons also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Georgia and several others.
Rated a three-star prospect, Simmons is the No. 90 rated receiver in the nation and the No. 50 player on the Rivals.com Georgia Preseason Top 75 for the 2016 class.
(Visitor list in the next post)
