Tag: Texas A&M 2024 Recruiting Class

After de-committing from Washington, 2024 4-Star EDGE Noah Carter should be on the Aggies radar

After de-committing from Washington, 2024 4-Star EDGE Noah Carter should be on Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko’s radar.

After the news that Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer would be taking the vacant Alabama HC position after Nick Saban’s surprise retirement, the transfer portal began to take its course as several key Huskies contributors and recruits left the program less than a week after Washington’s 34-13 loss to Michigan in CFP National Championship.

One of the said recruits, 2024 four-star EDGE Noah Carter, recently de-committed from the program this weekend. As AggiesToday pointed out, new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko offered Carter during his time as Dukes’ head coach during the last two seasons.

According to 247Sports, Carter is currently positioned as the 96th-ranked player in the 2024 cycle, the 8th-ranked EDGE defender, and the 2nd-ranked player in Arizona, coming off an impressive senior campaign, recording 55 tackles and 11 sacks on defense while scoring 10 touchdowns on offense.

Earning Arizona Cardinals High School Defensive Player of the Year after the 2023 season, Carter has the size and speed to develop in Elko and new Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s defense.

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.

LOOK: 2024 5-Star WR Ryan Williams during his weekend visit to Texas A&M

After de-committing from Alabama, 2024 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams looks to be enjoying his official visit to Texas A&M.

Following the semi-shocking retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the first domino dropped as 2024 five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams de-committed from the Crimson Tide on Wednesday night, and according to Rivals’ Landyn Rosow, Williams was set to make his way to College Station for an official visit to Texas A&M, starting on Friday.

Alabama has already found Saban’s replacement, as impossible as that sounds, hiring former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer after reaching the National Championship this season, falling to Michigan 34-13. While DeBoer brings a wealth of experience and an intriguing offensive mindset, the Aggies look to have Williams’s attention, at least during the next couple of days.

On Friday, Williams went through the regular recruiting pitch and photo op, and for every Aggie wanting to know how he’d look in Maroon & White, credit to AggiesToday for providing a sneak peek into what should be a very productive weekend.

According to 247Sports, Williams is currently positioned as the 10th-ranked player in the 2024 cycle, the 3rd-ranked wide receiver, and the 2nd-ranked player in Alabama, as Williams is coming off an elite 2023 senior season at Saraland (AL) High School, recording 72 receptions, 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 261 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

After losing 2024 five-star WR Cam Coleman to the Auburn Tigers, potentially landing Ryan Williams, who is ranked just one spot below Coleman, would be the final touch to A&M’s already talented 2024 recruiting class and an immediate contributor during the 2024 season.

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.

Report: Texas A&M will host 2024 5-Star WR and former Alabama commit this weekend

It has been confirmed by multiple sources that 2024 5-star WR and former Alabama commit will visit Texas A&M this weekend.

Following the semi-shocking retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the first domino dropped as 2024 five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams de-committed from the Crimson Tide on Wednesday night, and according to Rivals’ Landyn Rosow, Williams is set to visit Texas A&M this weekend.

Surprising? Well, think of the context, as new Aggies wide receiver coach Holmon Wiggins recruited Williams after serving under Saban and the Tide from 2019-2023 and has likely kept in the content with many of Alabama’s 2024 offensive commits, and while some will accuse the Aggies of “tampering,” remember that due to Saban’s announcement, current players on the roster now have 30 extra days to enter the transfer portal.

According to 247Sports, Williams is currently positioned as the 10th-ranked player in the 2024 cycle, the 3rd-ranked wide receiver, and the 2nd-ranked player in Alabama, as Williams is coming off an elite 2023 senior season at Saraland (AL) High School, recording 72 receptions, 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 261 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Williams is just a year removed from completely blowing up the stat sheet during his 2022 junior season, netting 1,641 receiving yards and 24 receiving touchdowns, coupled with 700 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores.

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.

Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class and transfer portal additions have made their way to College Station

Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class coupled several new transfer portal additions have made their way to campus.

The 2024 college football season and all its new changes may be 226 days away, but for Texas A&M and new head coach Mike Elko, the season starts in January, as nearly every signee from the 2024 recruiting class, coupled with several commits from the transfer portal have made their way to College Station, as spring football is just a couple of months away.

Bringing in the 17th-ranked class in the 2024 cycle and, even more impressive, the 3rd-ranked transfer portal class with 21 commits and potentially more on the way, Elko and his staff have one goal in mind: Move on from the Jimbo Fisher era once and for all.

While rival fanbases will only focus on the rankings instead of noting how Elko has already addressed the many depth/talent issues that plagued the Aggies in 2023, any discussion regarding a “rebuild year” is likely rooted in bias, as he is determined to prove his worth on the field in his inaugural season, and finally bring A&M to a level of competence after several years of dreadful mediocrity.

Here are all the players who arrived on campus on Tuesday, Jan. 9!

2024 5-Star DL Dominick McKinley has flipped his commitment LSU

2024 5-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinnley has flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to LSU, announcement on New Year’s Eve.

Well, while everyone was ringing 2024, one of Texas A&M’s longstanding five-star commits in the 2024 recruiting class, defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, has flipped his commitment to LSU as the Louisiana native will stay home after the firing of Jimbo Fisher likely impacted his decision.

New Aggies head coach Mike Elko has already signed 14 players in the 2024 cycle, as McKinley and five-star athlete Terry Bussey remained the only prospects unsigned, which, of course, set in a dose of worry for the fan base over the next two months.

While it’s no surprise that McKinley was heavily pursued by the Tigers this month, the departure of former defensive line coach and interim HC Elijah Robinson was the final straw after developing a close relationship during the recruiting process. So far, A&M has signed four-star DL Dealyn Evans and three-star DL Kendall Jackson, but losing a talent like McKinley will sting in the long run.

According to 247Sports, Dominick McKinley is currently positioned as the 31st-ranked player, the 6th-ranked defensive lineman, and the No. 1-ranked player in Louisiana.

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.

Texas A&M 2024 5-Star ATH and Aggie commit Terry Bussey will visit another SEC foe next month

It has been reported that 2024 5-star ATH Terry Bussey, who is committed to Texas A&M, will visit Georgia next month.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has already secured 14 signees from the 2024 recruiting class. Yet, two of the remaining five-star commits, defensive tackle Terry Bussey and defensive tackle Dominick McKinley, have yet to put pen to paper.

Both were recruited by former head coach Jimbo Fisher, meaning Elko will need to sell his vision for the program and their collegiate futures while nearly every Power 5 program attempts to lure them away, and in the case of Terry Bussey, that program looks to be the Georgia Bulldogs.

On Friday, it was reported that Bussey, who committed to the Aggies back on Sept. 28, will reportedly visit Athens, Georgia, in January, according to On3. While Bussey’s commitment to A&M remains strong, his past relationship with Fisher is still something to consider, as former five-star WR Cam Coleman, who flipped and signed with the Auburn Tigers, previously noted that Fisher’s firing altered his final decision.

He is slated to play either wide receiver or cornerback at the next level, letting Bussey know how he will be utilized as soon as the 2024 season needs to be the No. 1 job for Elko and his staff next month. According to 247Sports, Bussey is currently positioned as the 20th-ranked player, the No.1-ranked athlete, and the 4th-ranked player in Texas.

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.

2024 4-Star LB and Aggie signee Tristan Jernigan details why he chose Texas A&M

2024 4-star linebacker and Texas A&M signee Tristan Jernigan detail why he chose the Aggies over Alabama.

Last Friday, Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko were given a recruiting gift just days before Christmas, as 2024 four-star linebacker and Tupelo, Mississippi native Tristan Jernigan signed with the program, fulfilling his longstanding commitment after Alabama made a final push attempt a flip.

Jernigan, who stands at 6’2″and weighs 220 pounds, held over 23 total offers and took four total visits, including two official visits to College Station on June 9 and Dec. 15, after committing to the program on May 1.

While Jernigan was a notable “hard commit” throughout the Summer and Fall, Jimbo Fisher’s firing on Nov. 12 caused several commits in the 2024 cycle to re-examine their options, including Tristan Jernigan.

However, credit new head coach Mike Elko for quickly developing a now-close relationship while sharing his defensive vision for Jernigan’s collegiate future and fending off Alabama head coach Nick Saban from stealing yet another Texas A&M prospect. After swiftly announcing that he would be signing with the Maroon & White, Jernigan, through Aggie Football Network, he explained what ultimately won him over when it came to putting pen to paper.

“What made me make the decision is the culture at the University. They have all the tools and the things you need to be successful. I want to bring a national championship to Texas A&M.”

After Jernigan and four-star defensive end Dealyn Evans signed back to back on Friday, Elko and his staff have now signed 14 out of 16 players in the 2024 class, as five-star athlete Terry Bussey and five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley hang in the balance ahead of Feb. 7 (National Signing Day).

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.

2026 5-Star QB out of Nashville (TN) places Texas A&M in his Top 6 program list

Looking toward the future, Elite 2026 5-star QB Jared Curtis has placed Texas A&M in his Top 6 program list.

With most of the 2024 cycle signed and ready to enter their first collegiate season, it’s time to briefly shift focus to the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes, knowing that with new head coach Mike Elko at the helm, Texas A&M has a great shot at landing some of the top prospects both cycles have to offer.

Since coming on the scene during his freshman season, 2026 five-star quarterback Jared Curtis (6’3″, 203 pounds) has ascended the ranks and is heading into his all-important junior campaign at Nashville Christian School (TN) in the fall of 2024.

On Saturday, Curtis, an early favorite to land with Ohio State, released his initial Top 6 program list, including Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas A&M.

Back in October, Curtis took an unofficial visit to College Station (TX) during Texas A&M’s 26-17 loss to visiting Alabama, as then-head coach Jimbo Fisher had been in contact with Curtis for quite some time.

With Elko now at the helm, a new relationship has formed, while new offensive coordinator Collin Klein also brings an elite play-calling pedigree into the mix.

According to 247Sports Composite, Curtis is currently positioned as the 20th-ranked prospect in the 2026 cycle, the 2nd-ranked quarterback, and the No.1-ranked player in Tennessee. During his 2023 sophomore season, Curtis threw for 2,522 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air.

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.

Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class is now ranked in the Top 5 according to player rating average

According to 247Sports 2024 composite class rankings, Texas A&M’s average player rating is ranked among the Top 5 in the country.

The early signing period for the 2024 recruiting class has come to an end, and for new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, his first two months on the job have been impressive, to say the least, signing 14 out of 16 commits, while landing seven players through the transfer portal.

Currently positioned as the No. 17-ranked class in the cycle according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, looking closer at the player rating average for each program reveals that Texas A&M is ranked among the Top 5 in said category:

  1. Georgia (93.58)
  2. Ohio State (92.92)
  3. Alabama (92.82)
  4. Texas (92.33)
  5. Texas A&M (92.23)

Does the average player rating matter more than the overall rankings? Not on paper but taking a deeper dive into the type of players the Aggies have secured ahead of the 2024 season and hopefully beyond focuses on areas of need, especially in the offensive and defensive trenches, as three of the highest-rated signees are O-lineman, including four-star tackles Blake Ivy and Ashton Funk, and four-star guard Isendre “Papa” Ahfua.

Ending Friday’s early signing festivities, A&M notched two more big-time acquisitions, as four-star linebacker Tristan Jernigan chose the Aggies over Alabama. In contrast, long-time commit and four-star defensive end Dealyn Evans pulled an entraining fast one on all of us before throwing on his maroon hat while finally putting pen to paper.

With five-star athlete Terry Bussey and five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley waiting until national signing day on Feb. 7, Elko and his staff are off to a very promising start.

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.

Texas A&M’s 2024 class is highlighted by an exceptional offensive line haul

Texas A&M’s 2024 early signing day wasn’t perfect, but securing three of the top OL prospects surely helped build toward the future in the trenches.

Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class experienced a wave of de-commitments after the firing of the now-former head coach Jimbo Fisher, as new head football coach Mike Elko is looking to put his stamp on the program, starting with recruiting the players that fit the mold of what he’s aiming to build in College Station.

While the Aggies likely won’t finish in the upper echelon of the recruiting ranks, twelve players, including three of the top offensive linemen, signed with Texas A&M on Wednesday, while four commits, led by five-star ATH Terry Bussey, hang in the balance.

However, more good than bad came out of Wednesday’s results, and focusing on the O-line, new offensive line coach Adam Cushing will have plenty to work with in 2024 and beyond. Led by four-star tackles Blake Ivy and Ashton Funk, four-star guard Isendre “Papa” Ahfua might be the most intriguing prospect due to his strength and size, standing at 6’4″ and 310 pounds.

Going into the 2024 season, The Aggies return four out of five starting offensive linemen, as right guard Layden Robinson stands as the only departure while starting right tackle Chase Bisontis and key reserve guard Mark Nabou announced their returns this week.

With added depth at both guard and tackle, Ivy, Funk, and Ahfua are much too talented not to be considered rotational players as soon as they step on campus.

After the pass protection issues witnessed during the 2023 season, a different coaching scheme paired with said returning experience and the infusion of talent could finally turn things around and help starting quarterback Conner Weigman reach his ceiling.

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.