(Well, the publisher is jacked up so I'll do it the old fashioned way)
Jackson moving ahead in backup RB race
There's not much question about Jashaun Corbin's status as the lead back so long as he's healthy. He's currently one of several players missing time due to a minor injury (nearly all of them are hamstring issues), so there's been a chance for reserves to play with the 1s.
And every day, it's been the same guy -- Vernon Jackson.
Jackson got a lot of praise from coach Jimbo Fisher after yesterday's practice. Fisher pointed out a number of areas where Jackson has impressed, including his decisiveness as a runner and his pass blocking. We're told that wasn't just talk, that Jackson has been as good as Fisher described.
The rest of the running back situation is a scramble, with Jacob Kibodi, Cordarrian Richardson and Deneric Prince competing for time as what appears to be the third back. Obviously, Isaiah Spiller could upset the apple cart when he arrives, but the idea of a big back with speed is certainly appealing.
Defensive line stepping up fast
Fisher raised a few eyebrows yesterday when he complimented the offensive line for holding its own against a defensive line he called "really, really good." That's the same defensive front that lost three starters in Kingsley Keke, Daylon Mack and Landis Durham.
Fisher said this group "doesn't have a lot of film", but has a lot of talent and could be deeper than last year's unit, which fits into what we've been saying for a while (yes, #Humblebrag). Redshirt sophomore DE Tyree Johnson has been on a roll since early November 2018 and appears to be the rush end Fisher's been looking for. Micheal Clemons has retaken his spot as the "big" end, and he looks the part at 270 pounds (or more). Everyone really likes the duo of Justin Madubuike and Jayden Peevy inside, and Bobby Brown looks like he can handle being around 330 pounds without skipping a beat.
On the outside, sophomores Jeremiah Martin and Max Wright have impressed enough to the point where they would be the backups. The coaches seriously hope (pray may be too strong a word) that Mohamed Diallo will get everything to click and become the fourth tackle. He started off the spring in an unimpressive style, but has improved, we're told, over the last couple of practices.
This is probably your defensive rotation for 2019, with one exception -- DeMarvin Leal. If he's as advertised, the 5-star talent will definitely be on the football field this fall. But it's nice to have most of your boxes checked two weeks into the spring.
Confidence in Buzz hiring very high
With Virginia Tech's season on the line tonight in the Sweet 16, a lot of cameras will be on Buzz Williams. There may even be a few comments about him being linked to the Texas A&M job.
If there is such discussion, it's reasonable and accurate -- and we're told it may be understating things. A couple of the same people who kept us up to date on the hiring of both Jjimbo and Mike Elko have told us over the past 10 days or so that not only is Buzz A&M's target, but the deal is essentially done. One went so far as to say that "it's done and has been for a while."
Now, a word of caution: Buzz acts as his own agent and as we all know, verbal commitments are essentially worthless. But add in the fact that we can find no evidence that A&M has so much as talked to any other coach -- even though we were initially told that was supposed to happen -- and it sure looks like Buzz Williams is coming back to College Station.
A&M suddenly in the TE market
After being really deliberate in their recruiting of tight ends, A&M offered a couple this week: Grand Junction, Colo. 4-star Kole Taylor, and Gruver's Jalin Conyers, who has played 2A ball but had his recruitment absolutely explode this past week with the likes of LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Baylor also offering. Like we've said, they're going to be very picky with who they go after in 2020 as a whole but tight end in particular, so there must be something about these guys Joe Jon Finley really likes.
Corner crop for A&M could be awesome
Even with the de-commitment of Major Burns last week, the Aggies still look like they're in good shape to add some real weapons to go with Jaylon Jones at corner. Little Elm's Ryan Watts already has a top 10 with A&M in in, and Joel Williams and Lorando Johnson both really like A&M. Myles Slusher, the best corner in Oklahoma, is now thought to be leaning A&M's way. Add in the always fascinating Dwight McGlothern and the possibility Burns may yet come back and it looks like that if A&M can take three corners or more, they'll get some extremely good ones.
Fletch's recruiting news
Weekend visitors:
Jalen Logan-Redding
Kourt Williams
2021
Hayden Conner
Kaine Williams
Texas A&M offered a fast rising cornerback out of Florida as Jacksonville, Florida 2020 cornerback Micheal Holmes earned an offer. The six-foot, 180-pound prospect has offers from Georgia Tech, LSU, Maryland, Oregon State, and Texas A&M. Holmes was offered by coach Fisher who was excited to get an offer out to Holmes.
“Coach Fisher called me to let me know I had an A&M offer,” he said. He also told me that I could make an immediate impact on the program. He also added that they want me to visit A&M ASAP.”
Holmes does have some visits planned and is getting more set for the future as more offers come in.
“I definitely want to visit Texas A&M it is just a matter of exactly when I will, but that visit will happen,” he said. “I plan to visit Virginia Tech on April 6, Army on April 9, and USF on April 13.”
Right now, Holmes is not ranked, but he will be ranked soon as major programs start to discover him as most of his big offers have only come in just the past couple of weeks. Holmes did not mention an LSU visit, but one there is likely. Right now, Holmes is unsure on when he will commit.
Jackson moving ahead in backup RB race
There's not much question about Jashaun Corbin's status as the lead back so long as he's healthy. He's currently one of several players missing time due to a minor injury (nearly all of them are hamstring issues), so there's been a chance for reserves to play with the 1s.
And every day, it's been the same guy -- Vernon Jackson.
Jackson got a lot of praise from coach Jimbo Fisher after yesterday's practice. Fisher pointed out a number of areas where Jackson has impressed, including his decisiveness as a runner and his pass blocking. We're told that wasn't just talk, that Jackson has been as good as Fisher described.
The rest of the running back situation is a scramble, with Jacob Kibodi, Cordarrian Richardson and Deneric Prince competing for time as what appears to be the third back. Obviously, Isaiah Spiller could upset the apple cart when he arrives, but the idea of a big back with speed is certainly appealing.
Defensive line stepping up fast
Fisher raised a few eyebrows yesterday when he complimented the offensive line for holding its own against a defensive line he called "really, really good." That's the same defensive front that lost three starters in Kingsley Keke, Daylon Mack and Landis Durham.
Fisher said this group "doesn't have a lot of film", but has a lot of talent and could be deeper than last year's unit, which fits into what we've been saying for a while (yes, #Humblebrag). Redshirt sophomore DE Tyree Johnson has been on a roll since early November 2018 and appears to be the rush end Fisher's been looking for. Micheal Clemons has retaken his spot as the "big" end, and he looks the part at 270 pounds (or more). Everyone really likes the duo of Justin Madubuike and Jayden Peevy inside, and Bobby Brown looks like he can handle being around 330 pounds without skipping a beat.
On the outside, sophomores Jeremiah Martin and Max Wright have impressed enough to the point where they would be the backups. The coaches seriously hope (pray may be too strong a word) that Mohamed Diallo will get everything to click and become the fourth tackle. He started off the spring in an unimpressive style, but has improved, we're told, over the last couple of practices.
This is probably your defensive rotation for 2019, with one exception -- DeMarvin Leal. If he's as advertised, the 5-star talent will definitely be on the football field this fall. But it's nice to have most of your boxes checked two weeks into the spring.
Confidence in Buzz hiring very high
With Virginia Tech's season on the line tonight in the Sweet 16, a lot of cameras will be on Buzz Williams. There may even be a few comments about him being linked to the Texas A&M job.
If there is such discussion, it's reasonable and accurate -- and we're told it may be understating things. A couple of the same people who kept us up to date on the hiring of both Jjimbo and Mike Elko have told us over the past 10 days or so that not only is Buzz A&M's target, but the deal is essentially done. One went so far as to say that "it's done and has been for a while."
Now, a word of caution: Buzz acts as his own agent and as we all know, verbal commitments are essentially worthless. But add in the fact that we can find no evidence that A&M has so much as talked to any other coach -- even though we were initially told that was supposed to happen -- and it sure looks like Buzz Williams is coming back to College Station.
A&M suddenly in the TE market
After being really deliberate in their recruiting of tight ends, A&M offered a couple this week: Grand Junction, Colo. 4-star Kole Taylor, and Gruver's Jalin Conyers, who has played 2A ball but had his recruitment absolutely explode this past week with the likes of LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Baylor also offering. Like we've said, they're going to be very picky with who they go after in 2020 as a whole but tight end in particular, so there must be something about these guys Joe Jon Finley really likes.
Corner crop for A&M could be awesome
Even with the de-commitment of Major Burns last week, the Aggies still look like they're in good shape to add some real weapons to go with Jaylon Jones at corner. Little Elm's Ryan Watts already has a top 10 with A&M in in, and Joel Williams and Lorando Johnson both really like A&M. Myles Slusher, the best corner in Oklahoma, is now thought to be leaning A&M's way. Add in the always fascinating Dwight McGlothern and the possibility Burns may yet come back and it looks like that if A&M can take three corners or more, they'll get some extremely good ones.
Fletch's recruiting news
Weekend visitors:
Jalen Logan-Redding
Kourt Williams
2021
Hayden Conner
Kaine Williams
Texas A&M offered a fast rising cornerback out of Florida as Jacksonville, Florida 2020 cornerback Micheal Holmes earned an offer. The six-foot, 180-pound prospect has offers from Georgia Tech, LSU, Maryland, Oregon State, and Texas A&M. Holmes was offered by coach Fisher who was excited to get an offer out to Holmes.
“Coach Fisher called me to let me know I had an A&M offer,” he said. He also told me that I could make an immediate impact on the program. He also added that they want me to visit A&M ASAP.”
Holmes does have some visits planned and is getting more set for the future as more offers come in.
“I definitely want to visit Texas A&M it is just a matter of exactly when I will, but that visit will happen,” he said. “I plan to visit Virginia Tech on April 6, Army on April 9, and USF on April 13.”
Right now, Holmes is not ranked, but he will be ranked soon as major programs start to discover him as most of his big offers have only come in just the past couple of weeks. Holmes did not mention an LSU visit, but one there is likely. Right now, Holmes is unsure on when he will commit.
