Recruiting Country: The latest recruiting news surrounding the Maroon & White

Key notes from Recruiting Country

• There are still a lot of big games for A&M. It is hard to quantify the ripple effect. As much as the fans are invested, the kids and recruits are not looking at it like that. It’s hard to quantify what the recruits think. Some aren’t watching. Some barely check it. This visitor list for Auburn is the opportunity to capitalize on what happened vs. Notre Dame. A&M had a huge national TV win. We need to capitalize on that quickly with this home game against Auburn.
   
• Walter Nolen and Chris Marshall signed after we got that big Auburn win years ago. Marshall tweeted after that game that he was signing with A&M. The experience to these kids matter more than the outcome. The data points that have shown thus far, the recruiting staff will grab those stats and show our explosiveness on offense. The opportunities you will have to play. If you continue to play how you are playing, the kids will then realize it, especially if it happens later in the season, too.
   
• These kids are busy. They have games on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Maybe going through film on the weekends, it can be easy for them to miss the games that they are not at or paying attention to. You need to accrue more valuable stats, score points and be explosive. Special teams has had one touchdown. The ending game point totals are all over 40. When was the last time that happened?
   
• People discussed that A&M needs a 50-50 contested catch guy. Because the receiver room is so quick and shift, having a big guy would be good for them. A question I’ve had over the summer: How big a necessity is it to have that big guy? How many of the best receivers are those big guys? Jeremiah Smith, Cam Coleman... Those guys are unicorns. A&M believed that they had that in Jerome Myles, but the injury has taken him out this year.
   
• There are only two to three receivers that are contested catchers in the top 10 receiver class. The ability to get away from defenders has been more valuable. Mario Craver has been getting open in space, and he is so special after the catch. KC Concepcion has made big catches about three or four times so far. He was incredible in the Notre Dame game and the Utah State game. He is a good contested catch winner, and he is not a big guy. So, it is not bad to find that big guy, but the traits they are wanting to find are: Can they run? Can they create after the catch? Terry Bussey is great after the catch. He weaves, has good contact balance. The yards after catch factor is still there. That will go up for A&M’s recruiting process.
   
• If a Boobie Feaster‍ becomes available, he’s a do-it-all guy. Can they find a guy to take the top of a defense? Tristen Keys‍ is one of those guys. He is probably unavailable. Jase Mathews‍ is probably one of those guys. Of the committed guys, Aaron Gregory‍ is a freak show. He has unique traits. Mike Brown‍ has completely reshaped his game. He has now turned himself into a get-open guy. Madden Williams‍ has been your physical, contested catch guy. Not a lot of catch and run plays, but go balls down the sideline.
   
• KJ Edwards‍ visited LSU, and there are talks that he may go back. Edwards, on the other side of the visit, sent out the East Texas graphic that A&M sent him. He tweeted that out as soon as he got it. I trust that Trooper Taylor will get it done. I have not received many alarm bells around him. 
   
• Kaeden Johnson‍ took the visit to Auburn, where his dad played. I think A&M is countering whatever recruiting pitch Auburn is making. Because they are the alma mater of his father, but it took so long to offer you something. A&M can say, “We offered it to you first.”
   
• The Auburn game will probably be the biggest visitor list of the year. There could be some names later in the season, too, at different games. A&M getting Mathews to campus is a big thing they are working on. Lane Kiffin is pushing hard for him from Ole Miss. Mathews is from Mississippi.
   
• Jason Howell has a doubleheader in DFW. He is going to see North Crowley against Rockwall, and then McKinney Boyd against Prosper. Cade Draughon will be in South Houston, Fort Bend Marshall against Richmond Randle, home of the top 2027 running back in the state. Friday, he will see Manvel against Shadow Creek. Both schools have guys with A&M offers.
   
• I leave tomorrow morning for Salt Lake City to Park City, Utah. The Aggie Network is incredible. As you grow up, you don’t recognize the network. The outpouring of help from Aggies has changed my life. I posted that I was going to Salt Lake City, and so many people have messaged me suggesting restaurants. Helping out with reservations. As a student, you don’t understand it. Once you are out in the real world, it is so great. On Friday, I will interview Helaman Casuga‍’s parents and coach. Then on Saturday, I will see Utah State play McNeese State.