Tag: texas aggies football

New Texas A&M DE Josh Celiscar is ready to make an impact in 2024

Here’s what new Texas A&M transfer DE Josh Celiscar brings to the table

The transfer portal will officially reopen on April 16 of the next week, so prepare for the chaos that will ensue. This week, however, Texas A&M’s 2024 defensive line got stronger with the addition of longtime UCF defensive end Josh Celiscar, who spent his last four seasons in Florida.

Bringing notable confidence to a depth chart where he’ll have to earn his spot in the rotation, Celiscar recently spoke to GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels, and let’s say that this young man isn’t afraid of a bit of competition come fall.

“I do not care who they think is better than me. I am going to prove to them that I am better and I can showcase a lot of things that they need on the defense.”

At 6-4 and 265 pounds, Celiscar is 20-plus pounds lighter than Shemar Turner (290 pounds) and Shemar Stewart (285 pounds), but he provides added versatility to work around the line and find his best spot to thrive in his final collegiate season.

As Celiscar noted in the interview, he knows what he’s capable of after producing right out the gate during his freshman season at UCF, amassing 156 career tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, eight sacks and three pass deflections with over 50 appearances.

Already creating a close bond with Texas A&M defensive line coach Tony Jerod-Eddie and Sean Spencer, Celiscar reportedly feels right at home.

Set to carry 90 scholarship players into the fall, this is by far the deepest roster the Aggies have had in quite some time, and adding a veteran talent in Josh Celiscar is the right move at the right time.

Note: Celiscar is set to arrive in June, joining former Vanderbilt safety De’Rickey Wright.

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Texas A&M offers 2025 TE out of Pocola (OK)

Texas A&M has offered 2025 tight end Dakotah Terrell

It looks like Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, and even more so, new offensive coordinator Collin Klein, has a type regarding the tight end postion, as the Aggies recently offered 2025 TE Dakotah Terrell out of Pocola, Oklahoma, on Tuesday.

Standing at 6-9 and just over 210 pounds, Terrell’s stature is very similar to the recently offered 2025 three-star tight end Ty Rupe, who happens to be a Texas A&M legacy; both players are complete size mismatches once they hit the open field, and for Terrell, the incoming senior also stars on defense, adding to his impressive versatility.

During his 2023 junior season, Terrell hauled in 29 receptions, 549 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns through the air. At defensive end, he went on to record 38 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions on the year.

Terrell is truly the definition of an underrated prospect. With just six offers on the table, Texas A&M joins Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan, Oklahoma State, and UNLV.

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Where does Texas A&M stand with 2025 4-star QB Husan Longstreet ahead of his announcement?

It has come down to Texas A&M or Auburn for 2025 4-star QB Husan Longstreet

This Sunday, 2025 four-star quarterback Husan Longstreet will announce his collegiate intentions, and according to multiple recruiting analysts, including On3’s Steve Wiltfong, the California-based signal-caller is a favorite to land with Texas A&M.

In terms of overall confidence regarding his prediction, percentage-wise, Wiltfong is at about 60% due to Longstreets’ recent visit to Auburn during the Tigers’ spring game last weekend.

Possessing an elite arm, Longstreet’s recruiting profile has continued to rise over the past year, delivering high-velocity passes at a consistent rate during his impressive 2023 junior season at Centennial HS in Corona (CA), racking up 3,013 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions through the air, including 645 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

It’s no secret that under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn has intriguing weapons at the wide receiver position that would entice a quarterback prospect, led by former Texas A&M commit Cam Coleman, who showed off his elite skill set during the spring game.

However, under first-year head coach Mike Elko and new offensive coordinator Collin Klein, this is a new era for the Maroon & White, giving way to a (hopefully) fresh and innovative offensive system. Judging from Klein’s time as Kansas State’s OC, this seems to be the case so far this spring.

According to On3’s recruiting prediction machine, Texas A&M has a whopping 97.8% chance of landing with the program. Longstreet is currently positioned as the 51st-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle, the sixth-ranked quarterback, and the second-ranked prospect in California.

Husan Longstreet will announce on Sunday, April 14, at an unspecified time.

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2025 3-star TE out of Spring (TX) and Aggie legacy will visit Texas A&M next week

2025 3-star tight end Ty Rupe, a Texas A&M legacy, will reportedly visit College Station next weekend

Texas A&M’s 2025 recruiting class is already five commitments deep, and more to come, as several favorites to land with the program, including 2025 four-star offensive tackle Marcus Garcia and four-star Husan Longstreet, who will announce their intentions next Sunday.

Last weekend, Aggies head coach Mike Elko, amid spring practices, hosted another long list of 2025, 2026, and 2027 prospects before the annual Maroon & White spring game on Saturday, April 20, getting ready for another busy recruiting weekend.

While plenty of names stood out, 2023 three-star tight end Ty Rupe, the son of former Texas A&M and MLB pitcher Ryan Rupe and former Texas A&M women’s soccer player Bryn Rupe, is coming off an unofficial visit to College Station and plans to return this Tuesday to attend the next spring practice.

Rupe, who stands at 6-7 and 245 pounds is loaded with potential, coming off his injury-riddled 2023 junior season after just one game, recording four receptions for 102 yards.

On tape, Rupe is a coverage mismatch, possessing soft hands and a huge catch radius, but he will need to continue improving as a route runner. In contrast, his football instincts will naturally improve with a, hopefully, full senior season ahead of him.

According to 247Sports, Rupe is currently positioned as the 28th-ranked tight end and 70th-ranked prospect in Texas.

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‘I think there’s a massive disruption opportunity for Texas A&M’ On3’s J.D. PicKell likes the Aggies’ chances in 2024

On3’s J.D. PicKell theorizes what Texas A&M football could become is the star align in 2024

Just two weeks away from Texas A&M’s annual Maroon & White spring game on Saturday, April 20, the buzz surrounding new head coach Mike Elko’s coaching style compared to former head man Jimbo Fisher shows a much-needed change after two consecutive disappointing seasons.

With a clear focus on accountability and structure, including a shake-up in the offensive trenches during spring practices after one of the worst offensive line performances in program history in 2023, Elko and his experienced coaching staff are taking the right approach thus far.

Only losing a handful of last season’s primary starters, Elko attacked the transfer portal with vigor, landing 22 players, including former Big Ten sack leader Nic Scouron and former Kansas State cornerback Will Lee Jr., who already look like immediate starters as soon as fall camp.

However, the most important position, quarterback, has continued to hinder the program since the departure of longtime starter Kellen Mond, as injuries have continued to mount every season since.

After missing the final eight games last season due to a foot injury, blue-chip redshirt sophomore Conner Weigman has continued to heal this spring, participating in practices while recently noting,

“I’m feeling good. We’re almost there.”

Well, the preseason No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies are obviously underrated for a reason, and On3′ J.D. PicKell feels that the “underdog” tag could finally work in the Aggies’ favor with four playoff teams on the schedule and a head coach worthy of respect in his inaugural season:

The thing with A&M is that it’s never been an issue of roster talent” PicKell stated “For me, it’s always been a matter of structure, execution, and putting the right pieces of the puzzle where they’re supposed to go.”

Yes, Jimbo Fisher was an ace recruiter in his own right, but his results on the field never matched his offseason success. Elko, who spent the last two seasons as Duke’s head coach, finished with two winning seasons and consecutive bowl game appearances.

“Mike Elko, who, quite frankly has done more with less with his time at Duke, I think think there’s a massive disruptions oppurtunity fro the folks at Texas A&M. They play four college football contenders this season, the guys they bring back, they’re top 20 in returning production.”

Lastly, after noting what Conner Weigman could bring to the table in a full 12-game season as opposed to simply “flashing” in brief moments, PicKell ended with a message that should resonate with Aggie fans who remember just how disregarded Texas A&M’s memorable 2012 season was just months before the season.

“There’s no College Football Playoff buzz around A&M right now, but I don’t think we should ignore the fact that this could definitely be the year with the talent they have and the structure they could have. I’m Just saying that A&M could be a force this year.”

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Watch: 2025 4-Star LB and Texas A&M recruiting target Riley Pettijohn is very, very fast

2025 4-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn is a fast man!

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has already gained four more commitments in the Aggies’ 2025 recruiting class, recently landing 4-star defensive lineman Landon Rink on Wednesday morning. However, this is just the start of what should be a highly impressive first cycle for the first-year HC.

With spring practices already reaching the halfway point, Elko and his staff have their sights set on. This weekend, the Aggies will host another long list of 2025, 2026, and 2027 prospects, while a host of uncommitted 2025 players have already set up official visits for the summer.

Already securing a commitment from four-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins, Elko still has his eyes on another rangy LB from McKinney, Texas, four-star Riley Pettijohn. A noted tackling machine with elite coverage ability, Pettijohn is one heck of an athlete as a duel-sport track & field star, recently showing off his speed in the 100-meter dash event.

Standing at 6-2 and 205 pounds, Pettijohn completed the run at 10.77 seconds, which is borderline elite for someone his size, especially at the linebacker position. With over 30-plus offers, Pettijohn is set to take an official visit to College Station on June 22.

During his 2023 junior season at McKinney (TX) HS, Pettijohn could not be stopped, recording 120 tackles, ten tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups, and an interception.

According to 247Sports Composite, Pettijohn is currently the 39th-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle, the fourth-ranked linebacker, and the ninth-ranked player in Texas.

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2025 4-Star OL out of Denton (TX) has placed Texas A&M in his Top 6 program list

Texas A&M is officially a finalist for 2025 4-star OL Marcus Garcia

Earlier this week, national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong, now with On3, released his prediction for 2025 4-star offensive lineman Marcus Garcia to land with Texas A&M ahead of his official visit to College Station during the weekend of June 6.

As a rising prospect in the 2025 cycle, Garcia is one of the top run-blocking right tackles in the country. At 6-5 and 270 pounds, he also participates in track and field (discus) during the offseason. This week, Garcia released his official Top 6 program list to put things in a better perspective moving forward.

Joining Texas A&M, Garcia has named Michigan, Penn State, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Florida potential suitors, leaving previous early favorite Texas Tech out of the mix. With just one offensive line commit in the class (Joshua Moses), Garcia has become a high-priority prospect heading into the summer.

According to On3, Garcia is the 171st overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, the 10th-ranked interior offensive lineman and the 30th-ranked prospect in Texas.

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2025 4-Star RB out of Cleveland (OH) has placed Texas A&M in his Top 10 program list

Texas A&M is in the Top 10 of electric 2025 running back Marquise Davis out of Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Texas A&M’s 2025 recruiting class has added another highly-touted prospect to the fold. On Wednesday morning, 4-star defensive lineman Landon Rink committed to the program. The Texas Longhorns legacy is now the fifth commit in the cycle.

With 4-star RB Deondrae “Tiger” Riden the lone playmaker committed to the class, head coach Mike Elko is hard at work recruiting several other running back prospects, including 4-star Ohio product Marquise Davis out of Cleveland Heights.

This week, Davis, who received an offer from A&M on Feb. 1, released his initial Top 10 program list, which includes the Aggies alongside Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Standing at 6-0 and 190 pounds, Davis played both ways during his sophomore and junior seasons, performing at safety on defense. Davis possesses the speed, agility, and upfield burst on tape, while his defensive background aids his instinctual running style.

During his 2023 junior campaign, Davis was a scoring and tackling machine. He racked up 2,228 rushing yards, including 8.8 yards per carry and 35 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he recorded 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, and four pass breakups.

According to 247Sports Composite, Davis is currently positioned as the 172nd-ranked prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the 13th-ranked running back, and the 7th-ranked prospect in Ohio.

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2025 4-Star DL and Aggie commit Landon Rink makes announcement regarding his future visits

Outside of his summer visit to Texas A&M, Aggie commit Landon Rinks will shut down the remainder of his recruiting visits

On Wednesday morning, 2025 4-star defensive lineman Landon Rink, the son of former Texas DL Shane Rink, went the complete opposite route of his presumed legacy-based recruiting, committing to Texas A&M over Ohio State and Oklahoma, as the Longhorns weren’t even considered in his final group.

He joins the Aggies’ impressive 2025 class as the fifth commit and the third defender, joining 4-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway and 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins, who committed earlier this year. On tape, Rink is one of the quicker 250-plus defensive linemen in the country, exploding off the snap consistently.

As athletic as they come, Rink matched his high-energy play on the field during his 2023 junior season at Cy-Fair HS, recording 70 tackles, 15 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles on the year, harassing every opposing quarterback in his sight.

Just hours after committing to the program, Rink returned to X to inform everyone that, except for his visit to College Station in June, he will hereby cancel the remainder of his future recruiting visits.

This is significant news, as Rink joins fellow commit Kelvion Riggins in shutting down his recruitment, further proving that new head coach Mike Elko is slowly but surely stamping his mark on Texas A&M’s changing culture.

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BREAKING: 2025 4-Star DL Landon Rink has committed to Texas A&M

Boom! 2025 4-star DL Landon Rink has committed to Texas A&M!

Boom! On Wednesday morning, Texas A&M landed a critical commitment from 2025 4-star defensive lineman Landon Rink, son of former Texas DL Shane Rink. The incoming senior from Cypress, Texas, has now become the Aggies’ fifth commit in the program’s 2025 recruiting class.

On tape, Rink is an absolute game-wrecker at the high school level, possessing the speed, power, and versatility needed to excel at the next level. Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman likely already have a plan on how he’ll be utilized within A&M’s defensive scheme.

Standing at 6-2 and 270 pounds, Rink consistently dominated the defensive interior during his 2023 junior season, racking up 70 tackles, 15 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Whether this type of production can translate to the next level is to be seen, but knowing that Rink is surrounded by one of the best coaching staff in terms of development is certainly a plus.

According to 247Sports, Rink is currently Texas’s 65th-ranked defensive lineman and 100th-ranked player. Landon Rink is set to take his official visit to College Station on June 13.

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