Tag: texas aggies football

Several high profile 2025 prospects set to visit Texas A&M this weekend

The Aggies are set to host several high priority 2025 prospects this weekend in the midst of spring practices

Texas A&M’s spring football season has begun, and new head coach Mike Elko and his staff are working hard with the current roster. They are bringing back a bevy of talent and experience on offense and defense, including key players from the transfer portal.

While these practices coincide with the spring transfer portal window opening on April 15, every program will likely be affected by the need to meet its roster number or add more talent.

What does this mean to the Aggies? Recruiting becomes even more important down the stretch. It has been confirmed that several high-profile 2025 prospects, including 2025 5-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, will make their way to College Station this weekend.

Fasusi, who visited Texas A&M last weekend, has already scheduled an official visit in June, as Elko will continue to battle for his commitment with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Joining Fasusi, 4-star tight end Kiotti Armstrong and 4-star linebacker commit Kelvion Riggins will also return to campus this weekend, as Riggins, who committed to the program back in January, has reportedly “shut down” his recruitment until further notice.

Armstrong, who recorded nine receiving touchdowns during his 2023 junior season, already paid an unofficial visit to CSTAT in early February, while an official visit is scheduled for June 13.

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2025 3-Star S out of DeSoto (TX) recently visited Texas A&M

The younger brother of former Aggies safety Antonio Johnson is coming off a visit to Texas A&M this weekend

For Texas A&M, keeping it in the family regarding legacy prospects is something every head coach holds dear.

For new Aggies head football coach Mike Elko, one of the rising prospects in the 2025 recruiting class happens to be the brother of a player he singlehandedly recruited to come to A&M during his time as the program’s defensive coordinator, current Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson.

This weekend, Elko and his staff hosted several future prospects, including 2024 3-star safety Sael Reyes, the younger brother of Johnson, one of the best defensive backs ever to grace Kyle Field during his three-year career.

Focusing on Reyes, this kid can play. He is coming off his 2023 junior season, helping lead DeSoto (TX) HS to an undefeated 16-0 record and winning the Texas 6A D-1 Championship. On the year, Reyes recorded 60 tackles, including a sack, interceptions, and three tackles for loss. Reyes reportedly took in the sights and sounds of Texas A&M’s second spring practice this weekend.

Standing at 6-0 and 190 pounds, Reyes possesses the speed to cover the 3rd level of the field while sniffing out rushing attempts in the backfield at a high rate. Most importantly, he never seems to waste any movement during his back pedal in coverage, consistently sticking to his man and eventually making a play on the ball.

According to 247Sports, Reyes is currently positioned as the 71st-ranked safety and the 122nd-ranked prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

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‘I feel like this is the most disciplined team A&M has seen in a good little minute’ WR Ainias Smith is a fan of Aggies HC Mike Elko

During Texas A&M’s Pro Day on Tuesday, wide receiver Ainias Smith showed off his skill set while praising new football coach Mike Elko

Texas A&M’s annual Pro Day took place on Tuesday, providing ample opportunity for over a dozen participating players to impress NFL scouts. The four NFL Combine invitees led the charge: linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, safety Demani Richardson, offensive lineman Layden Robinson, and wide receiver Ainias Smith.

Also returning to College Station for the event, former starting quarterback Kellen Mond is looking to get his NFL career back on track after brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. While Cooper, Richardson, and Robinson could go through drills during the Combine earlier this month, Ainias Smith’s recently discovered left shin injury prevented him from going through drills and, most importantly, running the 40-yard dash.

Given the opportunity to finally show off his speed after a couple of added rest weeks, it was reported that Smith had run anywhere between a 4.4 and 4.5 40 times. That time is highly impressive, as Smith is sure to fully recover from his stress fracture by the time he enters training camp this summer.

With new head football coach Mike Elko preparing for his inaugural season at the helm, Smith provided his thoughts on what made the former Duke HC the right hire to help the program finally live up to the lofty standard bestowed upon it year after year:

“He established discipline. I feel like that was something that we were lacking and needed at A&M. And right now, I feel like this is the most disciplined team A&M has seen in a good little minute.”

Even though Ainias Smith will be taking his talents to the next level, he knows what it takes to bring a locker room together while consistently acting as a leader among men for the last five seasons. If you’re going to rust any opinion regarding Elko’s hiring, trust this one.

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2025 5-Star OT out of Lewisville (TX) will visit Texas A&M this summer

It has been confirmed that 2025 5-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi will visit College Station in late June

Recruiting the Lone Star State becomes even tougher with the Texas Longhorns officially joining the SEC in July. New Texas A&M Football head coach Mike Elko will now battle the Longhorns without the advantage of simply stating, “We’re in the SEC.”

So far, so good, as Elko and his staff have already landed three players in the 2025 recruiting class, and the momentum will continue through the summer as several high-ranking prospects will make their way to College Station, including 5-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi.

After visiting the Aggies during the program’s annual junior day weekend, Fasusi has already scheduled three official visits, including a trip back to Texas A&M on June 6-8, with trips to Oklahoma on June 14 and Texas on June 21.

On the field, Fasusi is an elite talent, no doubt about it, starting at right tackle for Lewisville (TX) since his 2022 sophomore season, earning Texas District 6-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year due to his high-level play at such a young age.

Standing at 6-4 and weighing over 285 pounds, Fasusi has the size, footwork, balance, and athleticism to thrive on the outside but can also move inside if needed at the next level. Every cycle, there’s at least one elite offensive prospect with the ability to start his freshman year, and just with the eye test, Fasusi looks to be that guy.

According to 247Sports composite rankings, Fasusi is currently positioned as the 11th-ranked player in the 2025 cycle, the 2nd-ranked offensive tackle, and the 3rd-ranked player in Texas.

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2025 4-Star RB out of Quitman (MS) will visit Texas A&M this summer

2025 4-Star running back Akylin Dear will reportedly visit College Station in late June

Texas A&M’s growing 2025 recruiting class may already include 4-star running back Deondre Riden, but needing to secure depth at the postion for the next three years, Aggies head coach Mike Elko and his staff are looking to continue adding backfield talent.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Texas A&M was in the running for standout 2025 RB Akylin Dear out of Quitman, Mississippi, one of the more sought-after prospects in the cycle and a current favorite to land with the Ole Miss Rebels, according to 247Sports.

However, while Texas A&M safely landed within Dear’s Top 12 program list, the Rebels surprisingly did not, as the Aggies joined Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, Auburn, Miami, Mississippi State and Texas. This week, it was revealed that Dear will visit College Station, joining several other critical 2025 prospects on the weekend of June 21-23.

Standing at 6-1 and weighing just over 200 pounds, Dear possesses sprinter speed, impressive vision, and footwork once he makes his initial cut upfield. During his 2023 junior season at Quitman HS, Dear was the focal point on offense, accumulating 2,016 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on the year, including three touchdown passes.

According to 247Sports Composite, Dear is currently positioned as the 32nd-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle, the 2nd-ranked running back, and the 2nd-ranked prospect in Mississippi.

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2025 5-Star OL out of Denton (TX) will visit Texas A&M this summer

Texas A&M will host many 2025 prospects in the coming months, including highly talented 5-star OL Ty Haywood

Texas A&M’s 2025 recruiting class could grow exponentially this summer. Head Coach Mike Elko and his staff will host a talented group of prospects, including 4-star wide receiver Taz Williams. It has now been confirmed that 5-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood will also make his way to College Station on June 6-8.

Why is this significant? Haywood is a borderline elite prospect with an extremely high ceiling, playing at a premium position (left tackle) that A&M will need to replenish depth-wise after the 2024 season, especially with the chaos the transfer portal presents on any given offseason.

Standing at 6-6 and 270 pounds, Haywood can do it all while excelling as a run blocker due to his size and athleticism. He is equally proficient as a pass protector, possessing solid football and hand placement while finishing nearly every block.

Already receiving over 30 offers, Texas A&M has a lot of SEC competition for Haywood’s commitment, including Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU. He will visit the Sooners just a week after his Aggies OV.

According to 247Sports Composite, Haywood is currently positioned as the 21st-ranked prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the 3rd-ranked offensive tackle, and the 7th-ranked prospect in Texas.

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2025 4-Star WR out of Red Oak (TX) will reportedly visit Texas A&M this summer

After placing Texas A&M in his Top 10 program list last month, 2025 4-star WR Taz Williams will visit College Station this summer

Ahead of spring practices, Texas A&M will host several key 2025 prospects on offense and defense, including 2025 4-star wide receiver Taz Williams, one of the rising players in the cycle.

Heading into the 2024 season, A&M’s wide receiver room is filled with talent and, most importantly, vast experience that will only make new head coach Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s job easier in their inaugural season.

Besides adding veteran talent through the transfer portal in 2025, Elko is focused on recruiting, as the Taz Williams sweepstakes has already begun and will continue into the new season. After placing the Aggies in his top 10 program list last month, Williams is now slated to make another visit to College Staton on June 6-8.

Williams is still somewhat underrated (if you can believe that), as he is coming off his productive 2023 junior season, recording 80 receptions, 1,251 yards, and 14 touchdowns through the air, possessing the speed, quickness, and run-after-catch ability that has already awarded him nearly 50 offers so far.

Outside of his visit this summer, Williams will also reportedly attend the Aggies’ Maroon & White Spring Game on Saturday, April 20, as the offensive installments begin this month under Klein’s control.

According to 247Sports Composite, Williams is currently positioned as the 272nd-ranked player in the 2025 cycle, the 32nd-ranked wide receiver, and the 40th-ranked player in Texas.

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2025 4-Star RB out of Shreveport (LA) has placed Texas A&M in his Top 7

With 4-star RB Deondrae Riden already committed, Texas A&M has now made 2025 4-star RB James Simon’s Top 7 program list.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko’s vision for the Aggies’ offense going into his inaugural 2024 season is based on an efficient running game, especially concerning every Aggie quarterback’s injury issues over the past three years under former head coach Jimbo Fisher.

While the running back depth chart is set heading into spring practices, Elko is dedicated to adding at least two prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, already receiving a commitment from 4-star RB Deondrae “Tiger” Riden late last month.

Last week, it was rereleased that 2025 4-star running back James Simon of Shreveport, Louisiana, placed the Aggies in the top 7 program list, joining LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana Tech.

One of the shiftiest runners in the cycle, Simon consistently takes full advantage of his 5-11 200-pound frame. He possesses elite footwork and the necessary upfield burst while punishing every safety in his way.

During his 2023 junior season at Calvary Baptist Academy, Simon recorded 1.600 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground, including 214 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air. Due to his production, Calvary Baptist finished 14-0 while winning the Division III Select state championship.

According to 247Sports, Simon is currently positioned as the 164th-ranked prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the 8th-ranked running back, and the 4th-ranked prospect in Louisiana.

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Report: Former Aggies DL Justin Madubuike has signed a massive extension with the Baltimore Ravens

Former Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Madubuike has reportedly signed a massive extension with the Baltimore Ravens.

Over the last decade, Texas A&M has sent dozens of football players to the NFL in nearly every position, while a select number of alumni represent the League, including Baltimore Ravens star defensive lineman Justin Madubuike.

Finishing his fourth season with the Ravens, Madubuike recorded 56 tackles (38 solo tackles), 13 sacks, and two forced fumbles. This led to the all-important contract-related offseason as pressure mounted on the organization to make a deal with one of their top defensive playmakers after he was named to his first Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro at season’s end.

After it was revealed that the Ravens franchise tagged Madubuike in hopes of completing a long-term deal, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that the deal had been completed. The two parties agreed to a massive four-year, $98 million deal, which includes $75.5 million in guarantees and $53.5 million at signing.

Following former Texas A&M wide receiver and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans’s two-year extension with Tampa Bay, former A&M football alums have now totaled $150 million and and $110 million in guarantees, so to quote Good Bull Hunting’s Robert Behrens, it’s a good week to be an Aggie!

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Texas A&M should pursue the former Duke OL who recently entered the transfer portal

Should former Duke OL Scott Elliott follow his former Duke HC Mike Elko to Texas A&M? Obviously

In the first two months of Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko’s first offseason with the program, he has had incredible success through the transfer portal, acquiring 22 veterans, which has stood out among the rest of the SEC outside of Ole Miss.

After several position groups had already been rebuilt, including what was a weak cornerback rotation in 2023, the offensive line returned nearly every starter outside or right guard, Layden Robinson. Still, it could use even more depth while creating added competition during spring/fall camp.

This week, it was reported that former Duke center/guard Scott Elliott, who appeared in 10 games at center last season under Elko during his final year leading the Blue Devils, entered the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining.

Standing at 6-3 and nearly 300 pounds, Elliott transferred to Duke last season after three years at Harvard, graduating from the prestigious University last May. Looking ahead, Texas A&M’s starting center spot is currently manned by redshirt junior Bryce Foster, who struggled for a majority of his starts in 2023.

Even more notable, Elliott’s experience with new Texas A&M O-line coach Adam Cushing should be a big draw, as Cushing followed Elko from Duke after last season.

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