Tag: Texas A&M Aggie Football

Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson has reportedly stood out at the Senior Bowl

According to several NFL Draft analysts, Texas A&M stud DL McKinnley Jackson has made an impact during Senior Bowl practices this week.

For true blue football fans, especially those who live for the NFL Draft, this week’s Senior Bowl practices have already provided fans with a boatload of content regarding some of the more talented players to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, including current participant, senior Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson.

After four memorable seasons in College Station, Jackson’s future at the next level may be the brightest among the Aggie defenders who have entered the draft outside of linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, looking to earn a starting spot at nose tackle for a team in need of immediate help in the trenches.

McKinnley’s official Senior Bowl measurements, listed at 6-1 and 320 pounds, including impressive 34-inch arms, are the exact numbers every scout observing his play this week will consider when combining his strength, high motor, and explosive athleticism after the snap.

Jackson started and was a game captain in every game for the Aggies this season while recording 27 tackles, three sacks, three quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery during the 2023 campaign.

Report: Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson returning to Houston after taking several OC interviews

According to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport, Johnson informed teams on Monday that he has withdrawn his name from OC candidacy.

After interviewing for three respective offensive coordinator openings around the NFL, Texas A&M alumnus Jerrod Johnson is returning to coach quarterbacks for the Houston Texans.

According to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport, Johnson informed teams on Monday evening that he has withdrawn his name from OC candidacy to “finish what he started” in H-Town. Johnson recently took two interviews with the New Orleans Saints and had one with each of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before suiting up for six NFL teams during his playing career, Johnson made history in College Station. When he graduated, the Houston native held two Texas A&M program records with the most yards passing (8,011) and total offensive yards (8,888) all-time. Kellen Mond now holds both records and Johnson is third in total yards behind Mond and Johnny Manziel.

Johnson got his start in coaching with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 under the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He served in the same position with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 before being elevated to an offensive quality control coach for the next two seasons. Johnson served as assistant quarterbacks coach on the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 before being hired by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans prior to this season.

Given the success of Ohio State alumnus, rookie CJ Stroud, under the guidance of Johnson, the interviews for Johnson will likely continue to roll in for years to come.

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NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper as a Top 20 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft

According to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Texas A&M star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is a Top 20 player entering the 2024 NFL Draft.

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who announced his official entry into the 2024 NFL Draft last month, possesses every trait needed to excel at the next level, and according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Cooper is one of the best prospects the Draft has to offer.

On Tuesday, the Draft guru released his annual initial prospect rankings, and while Cooper has been widely listed as a potential second or third-round selection, Jeremiah has ranked the versatile athlete as the 20th-ranked prospect in the class. Here is his brief scouting report on Cooper’s NFL projections:

“Cooper is a long, rangy linebacker with excellent speed and coverage ability. Against the pass, he is very smooth in his drops, playing with vision and awareness. He is very comfortable in man coverage and has plenty of speed to carry tight ends up the seam. He is an explosive blitzer and has shown the ability to separate the quarterback from the ball. Against the run, he is quick to fill in the hole and displays stopping power as a tackler. He will have some fly-by missed tackles when in lateral pursuit. Overall, Cooper is an instinctive and explosive prospect who generates a bunch of splash plays. He’s ready to start right away, and I believe his best football is still ahead of him.”

Jeremiah is correct that Cooper’s best playing days are indeed ahead of him after breaking onto the scene last season, gaining more play strength and the pass rush prowess that has resulted in his current ascendance up the rankings. Leading Texas A&M in tackles and sacks in 2023, Cooper recorded 83 tackles (39 solo tackles), 8 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles on the year.

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2025 3-Star safety out of Tampa (FL) has placed Texas A&M in his Top 10 program list

2025 3-star safety Jovarious Lundy out of Carrollwood Day (FL) has placed Texas A&M in his Top 10 program list.

Texas A&M’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be an impressive haul when it’s all said and done, providing new head football coach Mike Elko an encouraging start ahead of his inaugural 2024 season.

With three commits in the 2025 cycle, including 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins and 4-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway, who both committed to the program last weekend, the Aggies have become a popular potential landing spot for several uncommitted defensive backs in the class, including 3-star safety Jovarious Lundy.

Lundy, who is entering his final senior season at Carrollwood Day in Tampa Bay, Florida, released his initial Top 10 program list this week, made up of Kansas, Cincinnati, South Carolina, Miami, Indiana, Penn State, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M.

Standing at 5-11 and weighing 183 pounds, Lundy has played at both safety and cornerback during high school, recording 38 tackles (19 solo tackles) 10 pass deflections and 3 interceptions during his 2023 junior season.

According to Rivals, Lundy is currently positioned as the 78th-ranked player in Florida and the 32nd-ranked safety prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

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Source: 2025 4-Star RB out of Humble (TX) will visit Texas A&M next weekend

2025 4-star running back Tory Blaylock and his brother, 2027 CB Trenton Blaylock, are set to visit Texas A&M next weekend, according to his father, Derrick Blaylock.

More good news for Texas A&M on the recruiting front, as it has been confirmed that 2025 4-star running back Tory Blaylock will visit Texas A&M next weekend with his brother, up-and-coming 2027 cornerback Trenton Blaylock, which was confirmed by their father, former NFL running back Derrick Blaylock on Monday afternoon.

Last weekend, Aggies’ head coach Mike Elko made a massive splash in the 2025 cycle, gaining commitments from 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins and 4-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway in consecutive days. Looking to add their first offensive playmaker to the fold, Tory Blaylock has been on A&M’s radar for the last two years.

According to 247Sports Composite, Blaylock is currently positioned as the 159th-ranked player in the 2025 cycle, the 12th-ranked running back prospect and the 27th-ranked player in Texas. Standing at 5-11 and weighing nearly 200 pounds, Blaylock’s vision, footwork, and impressive second-level burst are just some traits that make him one of the most dynamic back in the class.

During his 2023 junior season at Atascocita (Humble, TX), Blaylock recorded 89 carries for 616 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, including 11 scores on the ground.

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Texas A&M WR Jahdae Walker announces his partnership with NIL affiliate Texas Aggies United

Texas A&M wide receiver Jahdae Walker has partnered with NIL affiliate Texas Aggies United to announce his return for the 2024 season.

Texas A&M’s 2024 offseason has been exciting, to say the least, as new head coach Mike Elko has secured the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class with over 23 commits, paired with the 16th-ranked 2024 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

However, it’s been the plethora of return announcements from members of the Aggies’ roster coupled with their collective partnership with Texas A&M’s official NIL partnership, Texas Aggies United.

On Monday, former Grand Valley State wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who ended his first season in College Station, finishing second on the team with 590 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns through the air, joined over a dozen of his fellow Aggie teammates in announcing his return for the Elko’s inaugural 2024 campaign through T.A.G, stating, “Back for More.”

After the departures of veteran do-it-all receiver Ainias Smith (NFL Draft) and the talented Evan Stewart (transferred to Oregon), Jahdae Walker has a chance to become the No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Conner Weigman, competing for the job with incoming senior WR Moose Muhammad, and incoming junior WR Noah Thomas.

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Texas A&M 2024 5-star WR commit Terry Bussey ranked No. 15 on On3 Sports’ 2024 On300

Bussey has remained committed to College Station but LSU and Georgia remain in the mix for him before National Signing Day in February.

Basically by proxy, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has already received a hard commitment from one of the top prospects in the Class of 2025, who is now getting deserved honors to solidify himself among the best.

On Monday morning, 5-star wide receiver Terry Bussey was ranked No. 15 in On3 Sports’ 2024 On300. The 5-foot-10.5, 180-pound playmaker from Timpson High School in Texas committed to the Aggies way back on Sept. 28, during the previous regime under Jimbo Fisher.

Despite the change in leadership, Bussey has remained committed to College Station. As noted by On3, LSU and Georgia remain in the mix for Bussey before National Signing Day in February.

“I’ve been getting to know the new staff,” Bussey told On3 earlier this month. “It’s been great building a relationship with coach Elko, coach (Ishmael Aristide) and I’m building relationships with other coaches they already have on staff. They’re great guys, great people, they know a lot about football and they’re great football-minded people.”

Bussey has 30 offers and has taken a total of five visits respectively to Aggieland, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas.

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Report: Texas A&M set to host 2025 4-star WR Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. this upcoming weekend

According to Aggies Today, The Woodlands High School 4-star wideout Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. will be taking a trip to Aggieland this weekend.

As the first month of 2024 begins to come to an end, the Texas A&M football program is starting to focus on recruiting graduates from the high school Class of 2025.

One of the top prospects from that class is reportedly visiting College Station this upcoming weekend. According to Aggies Today, 4-star wide receiver Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. will be taking a trip to Aggieland at the end of this week.

Farrakhan is 6-foot, 170 pounds and attends The Woodlands High School in Texas. He currently has 23 offers and has yet to take an official visit according to 247Sports.

All of the heavy hitters in the SEC have already offered Farrakhan including the Aggies, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Other notable universities include Florida State, Houston, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Texas State, UTSA, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern.

If Farrakhan chooses Texas A&M, he will be primarily instructed by head coach Mike Elko, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Collin Klein and co-offensive coordinator and wideouts coach Holmon Wiggins.

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2025 4-star DL out of Denton (TX) plans to return to Texas A&M

According to TexAgs’ Jason Howell, 2024 4-star DL Xavier Ukponu plans to take a second visit to Texas A&M after his junior day visit.

Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko aren’t messing around on the recruiting trail, fresh off a successful junior day weekend, which included two more commitments from 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins and 4-star CB Deyjhon Pettaway, while hosting a long list of 2025 and 2026 prospects during the second junior day this month.

One of the said visitors, 2024 4-star defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu, recently raved about his visit in a discussion with AggiesToday, stating:

“Love it down in aggieland that place is special!”

On Sunday afternoon, TexAgs’ Jason Howell reported that Ukponu’s visit went so well that the talented trench warrior plans to make his way back to College Station very soon as new Aggies defensive line coach Sean Spencer continues to work his recruiting magic after aiding Elko in acquiring 20 plus players through the transfer portal.

According to 247Sports Composite, Ukponu is currently positioned as the 53rd-ranked defensive lineman and the 100th-ranked player in Texas. Standing at 6-2 and weighing over 275 pounds, Ukponu recorded 31 tackles (17 solo tackles), 1 sack, and 6 tackles for loss during his 2023 season.

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2025 4-Star RB out of Shreveport (LA) will reportedly visit Texas A&M next weekend

On3’s Sam Spiegelman has confirmed that 2025 4-star RB James Simon will visit Texas A&M next weekend.

Coming off a successful recruiting weekend for Texas A&M, head coach Mike Elko gained commitments from two 2025 prospects, including 4-star linebacker Kelvion Riggins and 4-star CB Deyjhon Pettaway, while hosting a long list of 2025 and 2026 prospects during the second junior day this month.

Looking to continue adding to the offensive backfield, it has been confirmed by On3’s Sam Spiegelman that 2025 4-star running back James Simon, out of Shreveport, Louisiana, will visit College Station next weekend on Saturday, Feb. 3

Following last this weekend’s productive recruiting weekend, the future of running back has yet to be addressed, providing Simon a great opportunity to become the face of the Aggies’ future at the position while potentially following in the footsteps of Louisiana native and incoming junior A&M RB Le’Veon Moss.

According to 247Sports, Simon is currently positioned as the 182nd-ranked player in the 2025 cycle, the 11th-ranked running back and the 4th-ranked player in Louisiana.

During his 2023 junior season at Calvary Baptist Academy, Simon ran for an incredible 1,600 yards (8.3 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns.

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