The biggest commitment of the next two years?
I know that's saying a whole lot, considering the guys A&M is still in on for the 2016 class and who they could snag for 2017, but I really believe that if Tate Martell picks the Aggies tomorrow night at 9 central time, it'll be that big of a deal. It's not just because he's the nation's #1 dual-threat quarterback for the 2017 class and will likely end up a 5-star; it's what he potentially brings along with him.
When we were at the 5-star Challenge in Baltimore, one of the coaches running the camp said Martell as "It". What is "It" -- Moxie? Arrogance? Confidence? Swagger? Maybe all of them. But the interesting thing was that he didn't just have it on the field; he was as magnetic as a 17-year-old can be off of it. He made the rounds to meet everyone, and a lot of people from around the country already know who he is.
Martell's two teammates, also 4-stars, want to play with him in college. He's a huge name on the west coast, so kids in California and Arizona know his reputation. Obviously, he now knows a lot of other top talents from the 5-star Challenge. If Martell picks A&M, shuts it down permanently as his parents say he will and starts recruiting for the Aggies, that could have huge positive ramifications for the 2017 class, and maybe even '16's as well.
My pick on where he's going? You don't want that. Just know we have full coverage of his decision planned for 9 tomorrow evening.
The surprises of the '15 class already clear?
The big names of this past class were obviously Kyler Murray and Daylon Mack. Two of the recruits most frequently questioned for getting scholarships were Erik McCoy of Lufkin and Consol's Riley Garner. As it turns out, they might be two guys who significantly exceed expectations.
We -- and really, everyone else -- were expecting McCoy to redshirt this year and possibly back up Jeremiah Stuckey in 2016 at center. Not so fast. The 315-pound McCoy has taken in information on the offense like a sponge and has already moved into the two-deep. Kevin Sumlin was plainly impressed discussing him Monday night, and said he's probably going to travel and play this year and start next year. Putting a 6'4", 315-pound guy in at center is pretty darned SEC.
Garner blew up quickly last year, committed to A&M, suffered a head injury and didn't play in 2014. He's back out on the field now and has, honestly, looked very athletic from what we've seen. He's 235 pounds and could well be a middle linebacker in the making, but he's probably playing on special teams this year.
If you're going to win consistently in the SEC, your evaluations have to be deadly accurate. There will be big-time busts, everyone has those, but if you get some 3-stars and they work, that's what you need. If McCoy and Garner are as good as they're showing now, that will be huge moving forward.
They've got their 6...but what about the rest?
I think A&M has their six linebackers set for this fall: Otaro Alaka, Josh Walker, AJ Hilliard, Shaan Washington, Claude George and Richard Moore. That's not really much of a shock, because those are the most experienced guys (Moore and George were at least on campus for spring ball). What I was not expecting was Sumlin to make any comment on the other freshmen linebackers, especially to say that he was impressed with them. The other night, he discussed Moore and "the other three" -- Garner, Landis Durham and Dwaine Thomas, and said they had acquitted themselves pretty well to date and, while they weren't going to be pushed into duty, they would all probably play on special teams. You could tell he was pretty relieved that they wouldn't have to be thrown into the fire immediately, but could get some real experience at the same time. Garner we've mentioned; I was very impressed with the size of Durham (very tall and muscular for a true freshman) when I got a good look at him the other night. Thomas needs to put on some weight, but he's got the speed A&M craves.
A lot of people were underwhelmed by the last linebacker class. If they can get something out of all four freshman, that would be more than a shock. It would be the start of building depth across the board. Hopefully Sumlin is right and these guys will be ready to seriously contribute later this year or in 2016.
Secondary dropoff
There has been a lot of discussion over the past couple of days on how far the dropoff is from the starters in the defensive backfield to the reserves. Here's my take on it: there are some guys who have not stepped up, and it's hurting them badly.
At this point, I think A&M has four corners they believe can play: Brandon Williams, Devante Harris, Nick Harvey and Noel Ellis. And no, they're not moving Ellis out of the nickel. He's going to play a lot. Victor Davis and Tavares Garner look like afterthoughts right now, and Roney Elam and Deshawn Capers-Smith need to develop. That leaves Alex Sezer, the fastest guy of the rest, out there at the other corner with the 2s. A&M is comfortable with Justin Evans and Armani Watts -- Sumlin said Watts could be an all-SEC player if he becomes more consistent this year -- but the backup situation is different. Justin Dunning has already moved in to back up Watts, and physically it's easy to see why. The other job seems to be up in the air between Devonta Burns, Donovan Wilson and Larry Pryor. The problem is that nobody has been overly impressive. It's a patchwork situation. If the Aggies can keep their starters out there for 13 weeks, they should be ok. If they suffer some injuries, though...it won't be ok.
I know that's saying a whole lot, considering the guys A&M is still in on for the 2016 class and who they could snag for 2017, but I really believe that if Tate Martell picks the Aggies tomorrow night at 9 central time, it'll be that big of a deal. It's not just because he's the nation's #1 dual-threat quarterback for the 2017 class and will likely end up a 5-star; it's what he potentially brings along with him.
When we were at the 5-star Challenge in Baltimore, one of the coaches running the camp said Martell as "It". What is "It" -- Moxie? Arrogance? Confidence? Swagger? Maybe all of them. But the interesting thing was that he didn't just have it on the field; he was as magnetic as a 17-year-old can be off of it. He made the rounds to meet everyone, and a lot of people from around the country already know who he is.
Martell's two teammates, also 4-stars, want to play with him in college. He's a huge name on the west coast, so kids in California and Arizona know his reputation. Obviously, he now knows a lot of other top talents from the 5-star Challenge. If Martell picks A&M, shuts it down permanently as his parents say he will and starts recruiting for the Aggies, that could have huge positive ramifications for the 2017 class, and maybe even '16's as well.
My pick on where he's going? You don't want that. Just know we have full coverage of his decision planned for 9 tomorrow evening.
The surprises of the '15 class already clear?
The big names of this past class were obviously Kyler Murray and Daylon Mack. Two of the recruits most frequently questioned for getting scholarships were Erik McCoy of Lufkin and Consol's Riley Garner. As it turns out, they might be two guys who significantly exceed expectations.
We -- and really, everyone else -- were expecting McCoy to redshirt this year and possibly back up Jeremiah Stuckey in 2016 at center. Not so fast. The 315-pound McCoy has taken in information on the offense like a sponge and has already moved into the two-deep. Kevin Sumlin was plainly impressed discussing him Monday night, and said he's probably going to travel and play this year and start next year. Putting a 6'4", 315-pound guy in at center is pretty darned SEC.
Garner blew up quickly last year, committed to A&M, suffered a head injury and didn't play in 2014. He's back out on the field now and has, honestly, looked very athletic from what we've seen. He's 235 pounds and could well be a middle linebacker in the making, but he's probably playing on special teams this year.
If you're going to win consistently in the SEC, your evaluations have to be deadly accurate. There will be big-time busts, everyone has those, but if you get some 3-stars and they work, that's what you need. If McCoy and Garner are as good as they're showing now, that will be huge moving forward.
They've got their 6...but what about the rest?
I think A&M has their six linebackers set for this fall: Otaro Alaka, Josh Walker, AJ Hilliard, Shaan Washington, Claude George and Richard Moore. That's not really much of a shock, because those are the most experienced guys (Moore and George were at least on campus for spring ball). What I was not expecting was Sumlin to make any comment on the other freshmen linebackers, especially to say that he was impressed with them. The other night, he discussed Moore and "the other three" -- Garner, Landis Durham and Dwaine Thomas, and said they had acquitted themselves pretty well to date and, while they weren't going to be pushed into duty, they would all probably play on special teams. You could tell he was pretty relieved that they wouldn't have to be thrown into the fire immediately, but could get some real experience at the same time. Garner we've mentioned; I was very impressed with the size of Durham (very tall and muscular for a true freshman) when I got a good look at him the other night. Thomas needs to put on some weight, but he's got the speed A&M craves.
A lot of people were underwhelmed by the last linebacker class. If they can get something out of all four freshman, that would be more than a shock. It would be the start of building depth across the board. Hopefully Sumlin is right and these guys will be ready to seriously contribute later this year or in 2016.
Secondary dropoff
There has been a lot of discussion over the past couple of days on how far the dropoff is from the starters in the defensive backfield to the reserves. Here's my take on it: there are some guys who have not stepped up, and it's hurting them badly.
At this point, I think A&M has four corners they believe can play: Brandon Williams, Devante Harris, Nick Harvey and Noel Ellis. And no, they're not moving Ellis out of the nickel. He's going to play a lot. Victor Davis and Tavares Garner look like afterthoughts right now, and Roney Elam and Deshawn Capers-Smith need to develop. That leaves Alex Sezer, the fastest guy of the rest, out there at the other corner with the 2s. A&M is comfortable with Justin Evans and Armani Watts -- Sumlin said Watts could be an all-SEC player if he becomes more consistent this year -- but the backup situation is different. Justin Dunning has already moved in to back up Watts, and physically it's easy to see why. The other job seems to be up in the air between Devonta Burns, Donovan Wilson and Larry Pryor. The problem is that nobody has been overly impressive. It's a patchwork situation. If the Aggies can keep their starters out there for 13 weeks, they should be ok. If they suffer some injuries, though...it won't be ok.
