The sky isn't falling on the recruiting front
While losing to Alabama was awful in multiple ways, it doesn't appeared to have dampened the ardor of some of A&M's top targets when it comes to the Aggies. In other words, things don't suck with them even after the loss. Here's a few instances of what I mean:
Would it have been nice to get some commits? Sure. But what we see and what's already been said behind the scenes could be two very different things. But I'd say this: unless A&M spins out of control and flops the rest of this year -- another 2014 -- then this class is going to end up with some big names and stars behind them.
Looking at Ole Miss
I took a look at something earlier to get an idea of the spread, and the guy who wrote the article talked about how well A&M's defense played for several paragraphs, then said, "the smart money's on Ole Miss because they have the better defense."
If I could have reached through the Internet and strangled the guy, I would have. He gave no reason for it, just threw it in. Statistically, it is better than A&M's: 43rd to 58th. Ok, fine. But look at this: DT Issac Gross is out for the season with a neck injury, while defensive back Tony Conner (knee surgery) and linebacker C.J. Johnson are out for probably another month. Those guys were all starters. And, to boot, Hugh Freeze said within the past couple hours that Robert Nkemdiche remains in the concussion protocol, which means he has not been cleared to play this weekend.
Ole Miss is 70th in the nation in passing yards allowed, 92nd in sacks, 89th in turnover margin and 100th on 3rd down conversions defense. That's not good, even when healthy. Memphis shredded their defense Saturday for nearly 500 yards. They defend the run well, but that's been it.
Offensively, Ole Miss has some great wideouts, and I guess that's why the hype for them this weekend along with the "they beat the guys who beat the guys they're playing" stuff. But if A&M's defense shows up with the level of play they showed the last three quarters Saturday, it will be difficult for Ole Miss to win this thing.
The "you're better than I thought" awards
These are guys who have performed at a higher level than I was expecting this year:
CBs Brandon Williams and Nick Harvey: There's an unwritten rule that has developed since A&M has arrived in the SEC: If Gary Danielson doesn't like you, you're good. He hated Johnny, even if he did begrudgingly give him props. He said Mike Evans wasn't fast enough. And he hated on Williams and Harvey this weekend. Congrats, guys! You're doing a great job. Both have exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds. Williams has become a formidable tackler (didn't expect that) and has been more than adequate in pass coverage. Harvey has been really good and, for a guy who nearly lost his job because he refused to tackle, put several big hits on Derrick Henry over the weekend. I think he's going to be a shutdown corner in 2016. A&M is 25th in passing yards allowed -- something that will be tested this weekend -- but teams aren't putting up big numbers when they throw because the secondary doing their job. These guys are two reasons why.
S Justin Evans: I didn't know what to make of him, even after a good spring. Well, now we do. A&M has got themselves a guy who will put a lick on someone, even if he's not the biggest safety in the world. I can't wait to see what he does next season.
DB Donovan Wilson: Ok, who saw him becoming a turnover machine? Raise your hand. Didn't think so.
DT Zaycoven Henderson: After getting in trouble and not even working with the first three teams over the summer, he has come on with a fury the last two weeks. He and Daylon Mack will be formidable in the middle next year. A starting four of senior Daeshon Hall, Mack, Henderson and junior Myles Garrett is potentially elite.
PK Taylor Bertolet: Give him his due. Two of his three misses are from 50-plus. He's been far steadier than anyone anticipated.
I can see A&M's class ending up adding something like this...
WR N'Keal Harry
CB Byron Murphy
S Brandon Jones
OL Kellen Diesch
WR Tyrie Cleveland
LB Jeffrey McCullough
RB Devwah Whaley (or Trevor Speights)
CB Eric Cuffee
DT Ross Blacklock
LB Sewo Olonilua
In a perfect world, you do add Ed Oliver (perhaps for Blacklock), Deontay Anderson, Frank Martin and maybe even Jean Delance if you've got the room. And yes, I know there's no Greg Little. I've said for a while that ship has sailed and, when he went to LSU instead of A&M this past weekend, any slim hopes vanished (in my opinion, at least).
On Okeke
Why would A&M offer Ikenna Okeke if they're likely to bring in Jones and could well get Anderson? Consider this: he may not be getting looked at as a safety. This is a guy who could end up being spun down to a linebacker. Just a thought.
While losing to Alabama was awful in multiple ways, it doesn't appeared to have dampened the ardor of some of A&M's top targets when it comes to the Aggies. In other words, things don't suck with them even after the loss. Here's a few instances of what I mean:
- CB Byron Murphy and WR N'Keal Harry: I'm putting them together not because they're both from Arizona, but because they're very likely to end up going to school together. Murphy gave the trip a 10 and Harry said he was blown away by A&M. Rob and I have long suspected the Aggies are their respective leaders, and this weekend seemed to firm that up. For the one or two of you that are griping about the need for yet another wideout, I'd remind you of this: Harry is ranked higher by Rivals that Christian Kirk is. Josh Reynolds, Boone Niederhofer, Ed Pope and Jeremy Tabuyo have, at most, one season left. Frank Iheanacho has done nothing. Damion Ratley has had his struggles. Do you need another superstar wideout? Sorry, but the answer is unquestionably yes. Why didn't they commit? Because they still have officials to take and have long said they'll commit at their all-star games. Grumble if you'd like, but A&M is in a strong position here.
- DT T.D. Moton: committed.
- OL Kellen Diesch: Will official. Aggies are in good shape here.
- WR Tyler Simmons: A&M now leads for him.
- OL Frank Martin will official for Auburn
- RB Devwah Whaley was impressed. Got to beat Georgia for him.
Would it have been nice to get some commits? Sure. But what we see and what's already been said behind the scenes could be two very different things. But I'd say this: unless A&M spins out of control and flops the rest of this year -- another 2014 -- then this class is going to end up with some big names and stars behind them.
Looking at Ole Miss
I took a look at something earlier to get an idea of the spread, and the guy who wrote the article talked about how well A&M's defense played for several paragraphs, then said, "the smart money's on Ole Miss because they have the better defense."
If I could have reached through the Internet and strangled the guy, I would have. He gave no reason for it, just threw it in. Statistically, it is better than A&M's: 43rd to 58th. Ok, fine. But look at this: DT Issac Gross is out for the season with a neck injury, while defensive back Tony Conner (knee surgery) and linebacker C.J. Johnson are out for probably another month. Those guys were all starters. And, to boot, Hugh Freeze said within the past couple hours that Robert Nkemdiche remains in the concussion protocol, which means he has not been cleared to play this weekend.
Ole Miss is 70th in the nation in passing yards allowed, 92nd in sacks, 89th in turnover margin and 100th on 3rd down conversions defense. That's not good, even when healthy. Memphis shredded their defense Saturday for nearly 500 yards. They defend the run well, but that's been it.
Offensively, Ole Miss has some great wideouts, and I guess that's why the hype for them this weekend along with the "they beat the guys who beat the guys they're playing" stuff. But if A&M's defense shows up with the level of play they showed the last three quarters Saturday, it will be difficult for Ole Miss to win this thing.
The "you're better than I thought" awards
These are guys who have performed at a higher level than I was expecting this year:
CBs Brandon Williams and Nick Harvey: There's an unwritten rule that has developed since A&M has arrived in the SEC: If Gary Danielson doesn't like you, you're good. He hated Johnny, even if he did begrudgingly give him props. He said Mike Evans wasn't fast enough. And he hated on Williams and Harvey this weekend. Congrats, guys! You're doing a great job. Both have exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds. Williams has become a formidable tackler (didn't expect that) and has been more than adequate in pass coverage. Harvey has been really good and, for a guy who nearly lost his job because he refused to tackle, put several big hits on Derrick Henry over the weekend. I think he's going to be a shutdown corner in 2016. A&M is 25th in passing yards allowed -- something that will be tested this weekend -- but teams aren't putting up big numbers when they throw because the secondary doing their job. These guys are two reasons why.
S Justin Evans: I didn't know what to make of him, even after a good spring. Well, now we do. A&M has got themselves a guy who will put a lick on someone, even if he's not the biggest safety in the world. I can't wait to see what he does next season.
DB Donovan Wilson: Ok, who saw him becoming a turnover machine? Raise your hand. Didn't think so.
DT Zaycoven Henderson: After getting in trouble and not even working with the first three teams over the summer, he has come on with a fury the last two weeks. He and Daylon Mack will be formidable in the middle next year. A starting four of senior Daeshon Hall, Mack, Henderson and junior Myles Garrett is potentially elite.
PK Taylor Bertolet: Give him his due. Two of his three misses are from 50-plus. He's been far steadier than anyone anticipated.
I can see A&M's class ending up adding something like this...
WR N'Keal Harry
CB Byron Murphy
S Brandon Jones
OL Kellen Diesch
WR Tyrie Cleveland
LB Jeffrey McCullough
RB Devwah Whaley (or Trevor Speights)
CB Eric Cuffee
DT Ross Blacklock
LB Sewo Olonilua
In a perfect world, you do add Ed Oliver (perhaps for Blacklock), Deontay Anderson, Frank Martin and maybe even Jean Delance if you've got the room. And yes, I know there's no Greg Little. I've said for a while that ship has sailed and, when he went to LSU instead of A&M this past weekend, any slim hopes vanished (in my opinion, at least).
On Okeke
Why would A&M offer Ikenna Okeke if they're likely to bring in Jones and could well get Anderson? Consider this: he may not be getting looked at as a safety. This is a guy who could end up being spun down to a linebacker. Just a thought.
