Texas A&M's Top Target at Each Position in the 2023 Cycle

Quarterback

The Aggies already have their quarterback in Zachary (La.) High four-star Eli Holstein. Expected to be the lone quarterback the Aggies take in the 2023 class, Holstein is coming off a junior season in which he led Zachary to an undefeated state championship, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns along the way. The four-star committed to Texas A&M in June 2021. He ranks right outside the top 100 in the On3 Consensus, as the No. 101 prospect and No. 9 quarterback. He committed to the Aggies over 20 other offers.

Running Back

Texas A&M is after some of the top running backs in the country, but their top target is just a couple hours away. The Aggies have long been in pursuit of El Campo (Tex.) High four-star Rueben Owens, and for good reason. Owens is rated as the No. 2 running back nationally in both the On3 Consensus and the On300. The four-star was just 11 yards shy of 3,000 rushing yards as a junior and totaled 47 total touchdowns last season. Owens was at one point committed to Texas, but backed off his pledge within four months of initially committing to the Longhorns. The four-star has visited Texas A&M multiple times in recent months. He stopped through College Station a couple times in the summer, and returned for the Aggies’ stunning upset win over Alabama and for the win over Auburn in November. He most recently visited alongside a loaded group of 2023 prospects for the Aggies’ Junior Day in January. Texas A&M is battling the aforementioned Longhorns, USC, Alabama and Georgia for Owens’ commitment.

Wide Receiver

The Aggies are in pursuit of a number of in-state wideouts, but as it stands the top target is DeSoto four-star wide reciever Johntay Cook. The junior recently released a top-seven list of Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas and Texas A&M, though the Longhorns appear to be the biggest contender outside of the Aggies in his recruitment. Cook last visited Texas A&M in January for the Aggies’ junior day and will likely return at least once more this offseason. Texas A&M still appears to trail behind Texas in this recruitment, but Cook will have a close eye on how the Aggies use freshman wideout Evan Stewart, his friend and former 7-on-7 teammate, this upcoming season. Texas A&M is looking to pair Stewart and Cook, but will have to hold off Texas in Cook’s recruitment, just like they did with Stewart.

Interior Offensive Line

Odessa (Tex.) Permian offensive lineman Harris Sewell is the Aggies’ top target along the interior of the offensive line, though the staff is high on Garland (Tex.) Naaman Forest four-star offensive lineman Markis Deal as well. Sewell has had A&M among his top schools for some time now, and recently made his way down to College Station for the Aggies’ Junior Day in late January. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Texas and Oklahoma are among others to watch in his recruitment. Sewell ranks as the No. 72 prospect and No. 5 interior offensive lineman in the On3 Consensus.

Offensive Tackle

Colton Thomasson has already committed, and is as locked in with the Aggies as one can be. Thomasson is seen as either an interior lineman or a tackle, which gives the staff some flexibility in adding other offensive linemen to the class. Outside of the massive three-star out of Smithson Valley, Jimbo Fisher and offensive line coach Steve Addazio are going big game hunting, with eyes on five-stars Kadyn Proctor out of Altoona (Ia.) Southeast Polk and Francis Mauigoa out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy. Both will be tough to pull, as Proctor is keyed in on regional schools while Mauigoa has a more national recruitment. Outside of Proctor and Mauigoa, the Aggies remain in pursuit of Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International four-star Lucas Simmons, Brockton (Mass.) Thayer Academy four-star Samson Okunlola and more. With the position coach change from Josh Henson to Steve Addazio, expect the offensive tackle board to see some adjustment in the coming months.

Defensive Line

The Aggies’ top defensive line target is also the top defensive lineman in the country. Texas A&M is in heavy pursuit of Allen (Tex.) High five-star David Hicks, who spent his first two high school seasons at Katy (Tex.) Morton Ranch. The five-star has visited College Station multiple times, most recently back in January, and is set to return at least one more time this offseason. Oklahoma, Miami, Texas and others remain in pursuit. Hicks is not expected to make a decision until the 2023 Under Armour All-American Game, so this recruitment is nowhere near done.

EDGE

A recent offer to Platte County (Mo.) High four-star Chandavian Bradley makes the Missouri native the top target at the position. Bradley is expected to visit for the spring game and the Aggies have shot way up his list of contenders since offering. USC and Miami remain strong contenders, and if the new Oklahoma staff re-offers, keep an eye on the Sooners as well, but the Aggies have a chance to make a strong impression when Bradley visits next month. Bradley ranks as the No. 34 prospect and No. 5 EDGE nationally in the On3 Consensus.

Linebacker

The Aggies’ top linebacker target this cycle is Denton (Tex.) Ryan five-star Anthony Hill. As a junior, Hill accumulated 131 total tackles, including 18 tackles for loss, as well as eight sacks, six quarterback hurries and a pair of interceptions. The five-star last visited Texas A&M in January for the Aggies’ Junior Day. He will look to return at least once more this offseason. The five-star is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 1 linebacker and the No. 2 junior prospect in Texas this cycle. 

Cornerback

Take your pick between Arlington (Tex.) Martin four-star Javien Toviano or Dallas (Tex.) South Oak Cliff four-star Malik Muhammad. The Aggies remain in pursuit of both DFW-area cornerbacks and very well could land both. Toviano is more of a regional recruitment, as primary contenders appear to be LSU, Oklahoma and Texas, outside of Texas A&M. Muhammad’s recruitment is more national as Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M are the primary contenders in his recruitment. Muhammad is the No. 41 overall player in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Toviano ranks even higher as the No. 30 overall player in the On3 Consensus.

Safety

Shiner (Tex.) four-star safety Dalton Brooks plays both ways for the Comanches, and is an elite-level running back in his own right, but has a higher ceiling as a defensive back. Brooks keeps things relatively close to vest, but the Aggies are is strong position nine months out from National Signing Day. Texas remains a strong contender and both schools will likely host the four-star on multiple visits this offseason. National schools like Alabama, LSU and Michigan, among others will look to pull Brooks out of the state, but this should come down to a Texas vs. Texas A&M battle.