Tag: Rivals

Texas A&M LB makes Rivals midseason transfer All-American Defensive Team

Linebacker Scooby Williams has vastly improved compared to his final season in Gainsville

Coming into the 2024 season, Texas A&M’s linebacker rotation looked susceptible due to a lack of depth and overall talent after the Green Bay Packers drafted star Edgerrin Cooper in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 2024 linebacker unit would always be led by sophomore Taurean York, who started nearly every game for the Aggies during his memorable 2023 freshman campaign. However, York needed help, especially in pass coverage, an area he struggled with.

Under new head coach Mike Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, both coaches utilized the transfer portal at nearly every position, including linebacker. They landed commitments from former Pitt LB Solomon DeShields and former Florida backer Scooby Williams, whom Bateman coached during his final season as Florida’s LB coach.

However, while DeShields looked more polished, Williams struggled during his 2023 sophomore campaign. He looked lost on several plays and failed to fully utilize his size, strength, and athleticism to make tackles in space.

After earning the second starting spot opposite Taurean York, Scooby Williams has ascended, coming off one of the best games of his career after recording six tackles, two tackles for loss, and his first collegiate interception in last Saturday’s win over Mississippi State.

Williams is currently fourth on the team with 26 tackles. According to Rivals, he has been acknowledged as one of the best transfer portal additions this season, and he placed the junior among 11 fellow stand-out transfers in their defensive midseason All-American Team:

  • DL Kyle Kennard — South Carolina
  • DL Walter Nolen — Ole Miss
  • DL Derrick Harmon — Oregon
  • DL Bradyn Swinson — LSU
  • LB Chris Paul Jr. — Ole Miss
  • LB Scooby Williams — Texas A&M
  • LB Teddy Buchanan — Cal
  • DB/WR Travis Hunter — Colorado
  • DB Caleb Downs — Ohio State
  • DB Andrew Mukuba — Texas
  • DB A.J. Harris — Penn State

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Is Texas A&M still a favorite to land 2025 5-star safety Trey McNutt?

Is Texas A&M still the favorite to land 2025 5-star safety Trey McNutt

Next Saturday,  5-star safety Trey McNutt, one of the top prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle, will announce his commitment. After delaying his commitment, which was previously set for last week, he will choose between Florida, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, and Texas A&M.

On Thursday, McNutt visited Texas A&M for a second time after his official visit on June 13, making his delay a potential sign that the Aggies are now in the lead for his commitment, even though he is also coming off a return to Oregon just a day after leaving College Station.

So, less than a week before McNutt’s announcement, where do Mike Elko and his staff stand with the future superstar defender? Well, according to one of the top Aggie insiders, AggieYell’s (Rivals) Mark Passwaters agrees that A&M should be the front-runner after the commitment delay:

“The Aggies have put in quite an effort to sway McNutt over the past month and certainly seem to have the momentum in his recruitment” Passwaters stated. ” McNutt’s decision to delay his commitment until next week sure seemed to favor the Aggies, as does the prospect of his family moving to the Houston area. Add in another visit this week and it’s not hard to see why the Aggies would feel good about this one.”

While Texas A&M is likely neck and neck with the Oregon Ducks going into the week, I’d have to agree with Passwaters that his family’s potential move to the Houston area is subtle but important information that could play into his final decision.

On the field, McNutt is one of the top defensive playmakers in the country, recording 61 tackles, two for loss, 12 pass breakups, and a forced fumble on the year while excelling as a wide receiver on offense during his 2023 junior season.

According to Rivals, McNutt is ranked 20th in the 2025 cycle, the second-ranked safety prospect, and the third-ranked prospect in Ohio. Rivals insider Landyn Rosow is currently the only site analyst to predict McNutt’s landing with Texas A&M.

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2025 5-star safety out of Cleveland (OH) has received a prediction to land with Texas A&M

2025 5-star safety Trey McNutt has received a new recruiting prediction

One of Texas A&M’s top 2025 recruiting targets has delayed his commitment. 5-star safety Trey McNutt will make his collegiate decision on Saturday, August 3rd. The elite defender will likely choose between the Aggies and the Oregon Ducks.

While Florida, Ohio State, and USC are also in the mix, it has been rumored that the reason for delaying his commitment could be Mike Elko and his staff’s last-minute push to combat Oregon’s NIL advantage. The Ducks have beaten out the Texas Longhorns for several 2025 prospects, including 5-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore.

According to Rivals recruiting insider Landyn Rosow, McNutt could be headed to College Station after all, as Rosow has submitted a prediction to land with the Aggies just weeks before his announcement.

On the field, McNutt is one of the top defensive playmakers in the country, recording 61 tackles, two for loss, 12 pass breakups, and a forced fumble on the year while excelling as a wide receiver on offense during his 2023 junior season.

According to Rivals, McNutt is currently ranked 20th in the 2025 cycle, the 2nd-ranked safety prospect, and the third-ranked prospect in Ohio.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Michigan football commit wins Rivals five-star camp MVP

Big time! #GoBlue

Earlier on Wednesday, Ohio State fans were crowing because one of its commits, edge rusher London Merritt, won a rep against a Michigan football commit, offensive lineman Avery Gach.

But one rep does not a camp make, just like one rep does not a game make.

Based on the entire body of his work, the Birmingham (Michigan) Groves four-star offensive lineman shined in the Rivals Five-Star Camp, which featured some of the best recruits in the 2025 class. When it was all said and done and the Rivals brass had to choose the best of the best, Gach received offensive line MVP honors.

Rivals’ Greg Smith had very positive things to say about Gach:

“Gach came into the event as one of the more unknown prospects because we haven’t seen him much at national events. He showed up big by winning offensive line MVP. The Michigan commit is strong at the point of attack and once he got his hands on opposing defenders the rep was over. Gach was also very athletic and even competed in the fastest man competition. He’s in line for a very nice bump in the next rankings update.”

Gach was joined by Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair, LSU running back commit Harlem Berry, IMG Academy wide receiver Donovan Olugbode, 2026 defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and linebacker Riley Pettijohn in having won position MVP honors.

Wisconsin receives low grade for its spring transfer portal window haul

Wisconsin receives low grade for its spring transfer portal window haul

National college recruiting website Rivals awarded Wisconsin football a letter ‘C’ grade for the program’s moves during the spring transfer portal window.

The window was open from April 16-30 for players to enter. Some in the portal remain uncommitted, as there is no deadline to find a new destination.

Wisconsin in total saw seven players enter the portal: QB Nick Evers, DL T.J. Bollers, DL Gabe Kirschke, WR Tommy McIntosh, DL Mike Jarvis, CB A.J. Tisdell and CB Michael Mack.

It has added three thus far: Vanderbilt offensive lineman Leyton Nelson, Illinois offensive lineman Joey Okla and Boston College wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr.

Despite the necessary depth additions along the offensive line and one at receiver, Wisconsin witnessed some of its key defensive line transfer targets commit to other Power 4 programs. Top DL transfer targets C.J. West, Jay’Viar Suggs and Khurtiss Perry committed to Indiana, LSU and Virginia Tech respectively.

 

The Badgers remain on the hunt for defensive lineman in the portal — they are still a finalist for former Wyoming DL Gavin Meyer.

Rivals’ grades all fell into the range of B+ to C-. That tight range is likely due to a lack of impactful transfers, with most top players having already moved during the winter period.

The Badgers total transfer class from winter to spring remains ranked as one of the Big Ten’s best. It is set to play an integral role in the team’s success this season.

Where Clemson ranks in every updated 2024 team recruiting rankings

Here is how Clemson currently fares across all major recruiting platforms.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program but many programs across took advantage of the early signing period, which allows teams to lock in their talented recruits to join their program.

The Tigers have had a successful early signing day, landing two offensive linemen in Elyjah Thurmon and Mason Wade while also securing the signings of other commits who have been waiting a long time for this moment. In the ever-changing world of college football, getting players signed and prepared to join the team has become much more important. 

With signing day over, we’ve seen Clemson climb team recruiting rankings as they added more members to their 2024 recruiting class and signed some of the top players around the country. Below is a look at where the Tigers stand in each of the four top recruiting outlets: 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals.

Updated 4/16

Where do the Aggies land in Rivals’ Top 5 linebacker class rankings?

After landing 2025 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins, Texas A&M is currently one Rival’s Top 5 linebacker classes in the cycle.

It’s early, but so far, new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has begun to check several boxes, including hiring a formidable coaching staff while already landing three prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, including 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins, 4-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway and 4-star running back Deondrae “Tiger” Riden.

With a focus on defense, Elko’s elite pedigree should do wonders for the current players on the roster, led by incoming sophomore linebacker Taurean York, who looks to further develop under the new regime. Sticking to linebacker, York is the present and the future, but to feel good going into 2025, landing two or three LB prospects is a must.

However, with Riggins fully committed, 2025 4-star linebackers Elijah Barnes and Riley Pettajohn remain the program’s premier targets, landing in both players’ respective Top program lists last month.

Even with just one linebacker commit, the Aggies, according to Rivals, are already one of the top teams positionally rankings-wise, landing in the Top 5 2025 LB classes. Here are the four teams they joined.

Oklahoma offers five-star tight end Kendre Harrison from NC

Oklahoma offered five-star athlete and projected tight end Kendre Harrison out of Reidsville, NC. Harrison is a five-star prospect from the 2026 class.

The tight end was a sore spot for the Sooners in 2023. Production never met expectations, and the Sooners offense received nothing from the room this past season.

Tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley was elevated to co-offensive coordinator. Because of that, the expectations of him as a recruiter have also elevated.

He has a much better assortment of talent to work with in 2024. Four-star tight end Davon Mitchell will be a big boost to the room, but the Sooners have their work cut out to rebuild the position to the caliber of OU standards from the past.

One attempt to do that has the Sooners offering one of North Carolina’s best players, if not the best player in the state. Kendre Harrison is a five-star athlete who projects as a tight end for the Sooners. He’s equally capable of playing defensive end at the Power Five level, but most teams see him as a tight end. He’s the number one prospect in North Carolina for the class of 2026, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone in NC who doesn’t think he’s simply the best player in the state, regardless of class.

Harrison’s physicality oozes on film. Though he’s not necessarily a fluid route runner, he showcases the ability to be molded into a more refined product.

Every major school in the country has offered or shown interest in Harrison, and some have offered him as a basketball player. He could very well be a five-star basketball player when his high school career is over.

Kendre Harrison’s Recruiting Profile

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Oklahoma offers one of nation’s top 2026 defensive backs in Justice Fitzpatrick

Oklahoma offered five-star 2026 prospect Justice Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of NFL star Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Oklahoma has been on an offer spree in January, and it’s very apparent the Sooners are attempting to build their recruiting board for 2025 while also starting to piece together their board for the 2026 class.

While the class of 2025 is the next up, relationships start years before they become seniors, which rings true as the Sooners’ offer 2026 five-star defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick is already a composite five-star across the primary recruiting services and is ranked in the top 30 on most recruiting websites.

He stands six feet tall now and showcases a level of feel and understanding for football beyond his years. He’s played both cornerback and safety in his two years at the high school level. He is also a track participant and is the brother of one of the best defensive backs in the NFL, Minkah Fitzpatrick.

He is already a state title winner at St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the most well-known football programs in the country. Alabama, his brother’s alma mater, has yet to offer, but some heavy hitters, including Oklahoma, have entered the pursuit for the talented and versatile defensive back.

Justice Fitzpatrick’s Recruiting Profile

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Oklahoma Sooners offer 4-star cornerback and Georgia Bulldogs commit

Jay Valai offered four-star cornerback and UGA commit Tae Harris on Wednesday morning.

Oklahoma’s defensive backs had an up-and-down season in 2023. They’ll be looking for more consistency as the Sooners prepare for the SEC. The Sooner defensive backs are a talented unit, and they had excellent production with interceptions, as the Sooners were in the top five as a team in that category. They can improve to be more sticky in coverage going into 2024.

Jay Valai has been an excellent recruiter since coming to Oklahoma, and he’s looking to continue building that room with an offer to Tae Harris out of Cedartown, Georgia, on Wednesday morning.

Harris, a four-star, six-foot cornerback in the 2025 class, is already committed to Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. However, Harris is not planning to shut down his recruitment anytime soon and continues to visit other schools.

The 247Sports composite rankings have Harris rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 221 prospect in the country, the No. 27 cornerback, and the No. 28 prospect in Georgia.

Harris is a dual-sport athlete with excellent track times in the 100-meter dash and some very nice numbers on the gridiron. He is a two-way player for his Cedartown High School team who plays receiver when not locking down receivers. He also showcased versatility as a defensive back and played free safety. He could be a candidate to play the nickel for the Sooners in college given his versatility.

Tae Harris’s Recruiting Profile

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