Tag: texags

2026 4-star DL out of Mount Olive (NC) reafirms his commitment to Texas A&M

During a recent interview, 2026 4-star DL Trashawn Ruffin states that he is firmly committed to Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s 2026 recruiting class will continue to grow this spring/summer. While coach Mike Elko and his staff are hard at work visiting prospects this month, one of the program’s recent commits in the 2026 cycle recently discussed his relationship with the Aggies.

In an interview with TexAgs (subscription required), four-star defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin, who committed to the program last October, has continued to receive interest from nearly every college football program in the country ever since.

Speaking with TexAgs recruiting analyst Jason Howell, Ruffin stated that he loves Texas A&M and is locked in with the program moving forward, and for those who see this as an unsurprising update, recruiting never stops, and commitment flips comes when no one is paying attention.

Ruffin undeniably excels in the trenches. Standing at 6-3 and weighing over 300 pounds, his remarkable lower body strength and sharp grasp of leverage establish him as one of the nation’s top run-stoppers.

Considering his size and strength, I anticipate that Ruffin will play nose tackle when he arrives at College Station.

247Sports ranks Ruffin as the 208th overall prospect, the 29th defensive lineman, and the 13th prospect from North Carolina.

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Texas A&M DH Hayden Schott explains what becoming baseball team’s 12th Man means to him

“It was one of the cooler responses I’ve seen from anything in my life. It was bringing people into the A&M world that aren’t a part of it.”

Last Friday, the Texas A&M baseball program formally announced that designated hitter Hayden Schott would be the next player to don the sacred No. 12 jersey.

Schott sat down for an exclusive interview with TexAgs earlier this week, sharing his reaction to the news being released.

“I’d say a few months back, I got a call from coach Earley and he told me,” Schott said Monday. “I knew for a while but I guess it’s hard to understand the weight of something like that when you’re in it. So I kinda was just like, we’ll release something whenever, I didn’t really think much of it. And then a couple of days (ago), whenever it got released to the public, it was one of the cooler responses I’ve seen from anything in my life. It was so cool.

“The fan base, like old friends who don’t know a lot about A&M, who were like, ‘Hey man, I just read about the 12th Man and that’s so cool.’ It was bringing people into the A&M world that aren’t really a part of it, which was really cool too.”

The top-ranked Aggies start the campaign against Elon at Blue Bell Park on Valentine’s Day at 6 p.m.

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Former 12th Man returns to Texas A&M baseball team to join Michael Earley’s coaching staff

Texas A&M has hired a former player who played 181 games as an Aggie and was bestowed with the honor of wearing the sacred No. 12 jersey.

The Texas A&M baseball program has hired a former player who played 181 games as an Aggie and was bestowed with the honor of wearing the sacred No. 12 jersey.

According to TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger, Ryan Targac is returning to the team as an assistant in strength & conditioning under Jeremy McMillan once he finishes his degree.

Targac was chosen to be the 12th Man during his senior year in 2024.

“Being named No. 12 is such an honor to me,” Targac stated in January. “To be able to represent Texas A&M and what it stands for is such a privilege. I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for God, my family, coaches and teammates. The work still continues though. I will continue to show up and be the best version of myself and to serve others.”

The versatile second baseman was selected to the All-SEC second team in 2022 and chosen for the 2023 preseason All-SEC second team.

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

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Texas A&M baseball team announces 2 state matchups in October for fall exhibition schedule

According to Ryan Brauninger, Texas A&M finalized its fall exhibition schedule and will host two in-state foes at Blue Bell Park in October.

In spirit of the 21 Aggies currently competing in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, the silver medalist Texas A&M baseball team will begin its revenge tour in just over two months.

According to TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger, the Aggies finalized their fall exhibition schedule this week. Texas A&M will host two in-state foes at Blue Bell Park in October.

The Aggies play Houston Christian on Oct. 4. Three weeks later, on Oct. 25, Texas A&M takes on the University of Houston.

Michael Earley‘s tenure as head coach officially begins on the final day of February with the Astros Foundation College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The Aggies begin the 2025 season on Feb. 28 against Arizona. The following night, Texas A&M plays Oklahoma State. The Aggies conclude that weekend series on March 2 versus Texas rival Rice.

Texas A&M finished the 2024 campaign at 53-15 overall and 19-11 against SEC competition. The Cougars were 26-28 this year while the Huskies were 18-31.

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Billy Liucci of TexAgs explains to On3 how Texas A&M can shock the entire nation this year

“I’d rather play Auburn early, Florida late. Those are two really tough road games, they also have to go to South Carolina and Starkville.”

TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci has been attentively listening to every word from Texas A&M football head coach Mike Elko thus far and he provided a forecast for success this season while speaking to Andy Staples of On3 at SEC media days in Dallas last week.

“I think A&M’s defense, if they get (to the College Football Playoff), it’s going to be quarterback (Conner Weigman) and defense. Mike Elko will downplay, but when he does believe in something, he says it. He doesn’t make a joke or check you, he’ll say it. When he came out in spring and made the comment that ‘I think this could be the best defense I’ve had at A&M,’ you listen to that. They led the league in run defense a couple years and were top 10 at least one year. When he says that, I’m like ‘OK.'” Luicci said. “I’d rather play Auburn early, Florida late and flip flop those. Those are two really tough road games for A&M. They also have to go to South Carolina and to Starkville.”

The Aggies host Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Aug. 31 to begin the season.

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SEC Network’s Chris Doering feels Texas A&M’s offense should improve under Mike Elko

SEC Network’s Chris Doering feels that a “physical” brand of offensive is heading back to College Station

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is set to speak on Thursday afternoon during this week’s SEC Media Days.

Still, before the final day of the annual event, TexAgs Radio host David Nũno sat down with SEC Network analyst Chris Doering, who, like a host of other media members this week, provided his opinion of new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko.

Interestingly enough, current SEC head coaches have noted Elko’s successful career as a defensive coordinator, including a four-year stint with the Aggies, this week, referencing the difficulty of facing an Elko-led defense. However, Elko’s last two seasons as Duke’s head coach saw two consecutive bowl appearances while helping develop current Notre Dame starting quarterback Riley Leonard.

After inheriting a talented and experienced roster led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, new offensive coordinator Collin Klein has plenty to work with. Klein and Elko both agree that a physical running game and officiant passing offense is the way toward prosperity.

Agreeing with this principle, Nũno phrased the question perfectly, noting that after opening the season vs. Notre Dame, Texas A&M will travel to Florida to attempt to win its first SEC road game since the 2020 season. Well, Doering, a fan of Elko’s background, feels that “physicality and a blue-collar mentality” should get the job done:

“Yeah, I’m really excited about this A&M team this season,” he stated. “You know, Coach Elko, having been there before, understands the culture. What he’s been able to do on defense, what he did at Duke, he brings a physical type of mentality that I think is going to fit this A&M team. You play away from Kyle Field, you got to play physical, and I think he’ll bring that.”

Doering further explained his excitement regarding Conner Weigman’s return to the lineup after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season:

“So excited that Conner Weigman is coming back, and it feels like a brand new start,” Doering stated. “You know he was gone so long last year; it feels like forever since we’ve seen him play. I’ve heard a lot of talk about him being a first-round quarterback in the Draft next spring, so I’m excited about what he can do in this offense.”

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‘He’s going to become a star at A&M,’ CBS Sports host is ‘bullish’ about Aggies coach Elko

“Jimbo is announcing he’s a national championship winning coach while Mike Elko’s resume is still yet to be written in College Station.”

When you look at the list of head coaches most likely to breakout this season, Mike Elko is near the top entering his first year at the helm of Texas A&M.

CBS Sports college football commentator Josh Pate echoed those sentiments in a recent conversation with TexAgs.

“When you get feedback about how organized, how attention to detail oriented the process is there, how thorough the evaluation is in going and acquiring talent. It had to be that way at Duke so it’s just that way now with a ton more resources. When you get all that, how are you not bullish on it? I don’t care that maybe Mike Elko’s name didn’t dominate the headlines,” Pate said. “Because when DeBoer came into ‘Bama, that was like a fish’s tail muddying up the water, no one was going to notice them hiring anything less than a superstar head coach.

“They may have hired a superstar head coach, it’s just he’s going to become a star at A&M instead of having already been one, which is the inverse of the way that they went last time. Jimbo is announcing he’s a national championship winning head coach while Mike Elko’s resume is still yet to be written in College Station. If you know what you’re looking at in this game, I’m not sure how you’re not bullish.”

Elko will speak at SEC media days in Dallas on Thursday at 11:05 a.m.

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2024 right-hander pitcher Gavin Lyons flips from Longhorns and commits to Texas A&M

As several talented Aggies get selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, new head coach Michael Earley has continued to retool the team for next year.

As several talented Texas A&M baseball players get selected in the 2024 MLB Draft from Sunday through Tuesday, new head coach Michael Earley has continued to retool the team for next year.

The latest prospect to make their way to Aggieland is Class of 2024 graduate Gavin Lyons. The right-hander pitcher was previously committed to the Texas Longhorns but officially flipped his commitment to the Aggies on Sunday night.

“Follow the people that believe in you…” Lyons stated on Instagram. He added two hashtags: Gig ‘Em and third time’s a charm.

Lyons attended Hamden Hall High School in Guilford, Connecticut, where he was the No. 1 overall recruit in the state. When he’s not toeing the rubber, Lyons alternates between first base, third base and the outfield. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. Lyons is an older true freshman as he just celebrated his 19th birthday this month.

TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci stated on X that Lyons is “the type of pitcher who could very well make a year one impact in College Station.”

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Texas A&M OT Trey Zuhn III previews Texas A&M’s 2024 season

Texas A&M left tackle Trey Zuhn III is excited to get back on the field this season

It’s no surprise that the excitement ahead of Texas A&M’s 2024 season is growing every week. The Aggies, under new head coach Mike Elko, will open the year hosting Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, in front of what could be a sold-out Kyle Field.

With a clear advantage ahead of his first season, Elko and new offensive coordinator Collin Klein have inherited redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, who returns to the lineup healthy with added muscle mass after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season.

However, for the offense to progress after a downseason, Weigman must be protected. New offensive line coach Adam Cushing has his work cut out for him but has plenty to work with from a size and depth perspective, starting with left tackle Trey Zuhn III.

Joining sophomore running back Rueben Owens, Zuhn sat down with TexAgs contributor Ali Russell to provide a brief statement regarding his excitement and confidence in what the Aggies can accomplish once the season begins:

“I think I’m just going to tell everyone the truth, that we’re a team that’s grinding and we’re going to be” Zuhn stated. “We are a powerhouse, and we have everything we need to be a great team and go all the way, and that we will.”

For any of this to come to fruition, Zuhn and the rest of the Aggie offense line will need to improve tenfold from the up-and-down play that put any consistent production on hold during Jimbo Fisher’s final year at the helm.

Trey Zuhn, alongside linebacker Taurean York and defensive tackle Shemar Turner, will join Mike Elko during Texas A&M’s Thursday time slot during SEC Media Days this week.

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Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens previews Texas A&M’s 2024 offense

Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens is excited for new OC Collin Klein’s potentially explosive offense this season

It’s no surprise that the excitement ahead of Texas A&M’s 2024 season is growing every week. The Aggies, under new head coach Mike Elko, will open the year hosting Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, in front of what could be a sold-out Kyle Field.

Inheriting an already talented and experienced roster led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, Elko and his staff have everything they need to compete weekly, especially once SEC play starts.

Defensively, A&M’s defensive line is stacked with speed and power, while the secondary looks improved after several key transfer portal additions. Offensively, Weigman has plenty to work with in the run game, as sophomore running back Rueben Owens has a chance to thrive in new OC Collin Klein’s scheme.

Recently listed as a potential breakout candidate, Owens recently sat down with TexAgs ahead of next week’s SEC Media Days, where Elko, alongside Taurean York, Trey Zuhn, and Shemar Turner, will all speak on Thursday, July 18.

Sitting down with TexAgs contributor Ali Russell, Owens is very excited to show what the offense will look like under Klein, as Russell asked the simple question, “What do you feel like Aggie fans are going to be seeing out of you guys?”

“Most defintiely going to be seeing a winning season” he stated. “That’s what they’re most defintely going to be seeing.”

However, to achieve these lofty goals, the offense must find consistency, while the defense will need to be the team’s strength due to the talent level in the trenches.

“A very explosive offense and a very dynamic defense; our defense is crazy, I’m not gonna lie” Rueben stated. “And our defense is just going to make us better because he have to go against them every day in practice. Like, that D-line? Ya’ll just don’t know.”

In 13 games during his 2023 season, Owens recorded 385 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and 109 yards on the ground.

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