Texas A&M has path to a first ever No. 1 ranked recruiting class

On3 imageby:Gerry Hamilton11/07/21

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Texas A&M has never signed the No. 1 ranked recruiting class, but the Aggies have a path in 2022. 

The Aggies have been riding a wave of momentum since their massive win over Alabama. That momentum carried over to the recruiting trail Saturday prior to the win over Auburn. 

With pregame commitments from On3 Consensus 5-star Walter Nolen and 4-star Chris Marshall, the Aggies jumped to No. 3 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking

Jimbo Fisher and staff have 16 commitments following the 5-star Saturday, and a number of top targets still in play.

Handful of On3 Consensus 5-star targets remain

Texas A&M’s class is already headlined by a trio of consensus 5-stars — defensive tackle Nolen, safety Bryce Anderson and quarterback Conner Weigman. A class of five or six 5-stars is looking more probable by the week. 

Evan Stewart, WR, Frisco (Texas) Liberty

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 3

The explosive playmaker is expected to pick between Texas A&M and Texas at the end of the day. The Aggies have been ascending with the Longhorns struggles on the field this season. Stewart was on campus in College Station for a second time in three weeks over the weekend. This recruitment is one that Texas can’t afford to lose, and that makes Fisher want it more. This would be a massive perception win for the Aggies. 

Shemar Stewart, DL, Opa Locka (Fla.) Monsignor Pace

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 6

The Aggies have had some success under Fisher in South Florida. But winning out for Stewart would be another level recruitment. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has been trending to Texas A&M over Georgia and Miami in recent weeks. Ohio State has also been working hard on this one. 

Harold Perkins, LB, Cypress (Texas) Cy Park

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 7

The LSU head coaching hire looms large here. The Aggies have held a lead since June over LSU and Texas. Texas A&M will keep riding the wave of momentum, and staff continuity. It is an interesting recruitment. Perkins favorite school and program is LSU, and his favorite college town/city is Austin. 

Denver Harris, CB, Houston (Texas) North Shore

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 17

The Aggies have been a consistent fourth in the race for Harris. LSU, Texas and Alabama continue to stay in front. Texas A&M has done well with Harris’ mother, but Harris doesn’t envision himself playing at Texas A&M. This is a recruitment that you hang around the rim, and see if you can pull an upset late. Harris plans to sign in December. 

Jacoby Mathews, S, Ponchatoula (La.) 

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 32

A person close to Mathews predicted to On3 last month that LSU is the pick depending on the coaching situation. That remains to be seen. Texas A&M has been the leader over Texas and LSU of late. Visits to Georgia and Alabama could change the trajectory. Florida began the recruitment as the co-favorite with LSU. 

Aggies will load up on the defensive line

Texas A&M is under serious consideration for a trio of On3 Consensus 4-stars defensive lineman. The rise of the Aggies program has been a result of tremendous recruiting on the defensive front. There are three verbals on the defensive line currently with five or six expected. 

Anthony Lucas, DL, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 39

The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder was on campus the last weekend in October, and also made an official visit in June. Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon and LSU are also under serious consideration. This is a bit of wildcard recruitment that would signal a tide wave of momentum for the Aggies. 

Enai White, EDGE, Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Institute

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 53

The Aggies have hosted the Granite State edge prospect twice since June. This recruitment is a SEC war between Georgia, Texas A&M and Alabama unless Ohio State can change the trajectory. 

Omari Abor, EDGE, Duncanville (Texas)

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 58

The Aggies have quietly become a major player for Abor. He’s built a close friendship with Perkins, and has been on campus twice since July. LSU, Alabama, Texas and Ohio State round out the top five. 

Texas A&M battling in the Pelican State for RB’s

The Aggies are looking to win out for one of two extremely talented running backs in the state of Louisiana.  

On3 Consensus No. 82 Le’Veon Moss (Baton Rouge, La./Istrouma) has been a top target for months. The Aggies have hosted Moss twice since June. The one-time Alabama verbal is not expected to stay in his home state for college. Ole Miss is also in play. 

The staff also remains in contact with LSU verbal Tre’Vonte Citizen (Lake Charles, La./Lake Charles Prep). The No. 69 ranked prospect in the On3 Consensus is expected to wait to see who the next LSU head coach is before seriously considering a flip. Both Texas A&M and Texas would welcome a flip. 

Aggies need to win in state on the OL

Texas A&M badly wants to win on an offensive lineman or two from inside state lines. The class already features a pair of On300 offensive line prospects from inside the state line in P.J. Williams (Dickinson, Texas) and Hunter Erb (Haslet, Texas/Eaton). 

Kelvin Banks, OT, Humble (Texas) Summer Creek

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 18

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound tackle and Oregon verbal is entertaining both Texas and Texas A&M. The realistic chance of Banks flipping, and staying close to family has gained traction in the last month. Banks is scheduled to be at Texas on November 13. The Longhorns are selling the chance to start year one. The Aggies can combat that with two true freshman starting on the line. 

Kam Dewberry, IOL, Humble (Texas) Atascocita

On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 73

Dewberry played Thursday night in front of coaches from Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Barring major changes on the LSU and Ohio State front, this recruitment is coming down to the Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners. Texas’ Kyle Flood may be Dewberry’s best position coach relationship. The major question for Texas is if the program is too far away on the field. The Aggies are way ahead, as is Oklahoma. 

Adding another cornerback would be the icing

If the Aggies can’t make a move for Harris, a Georgia verbal could be in play. On300 Marquis Groves-Killebrew and Georgia verbal has remained in contact with the Texas A&M staff.