Texas A&M Aggies: SMU Mustangs
TYLER, Texas -- East Texas often is considered one of the nation’s most underrated areas in finding elite talent when it comes to college football recruiting. Sunday featured the inaugural East Texas Sports Network combine, which showcased more than 100 players from East Texas.
The event took place at the Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) training facility, which has trained professionals such as quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Kendall Hunter and pro baseball pitchers Phillip Humber and Josh Tomlin.
The event took place at the Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) training facility, which has trained professionals such as quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Kendall Hunter and pro baseball pitchers Phillip Humber and Josh Tomlin.
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True to his word, Bossier City (La.) Parkway quarterback Brandon Harris named his top schools after spring practice concluded.
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Each week this spring, GigEmNation reporter Sam Khan Jr. will bring you notes and nuggets from watching and visiting with high school football prospects in the Greater Houston area that week, including observations of Texas A&M commitments and targets and other players that catch his attention. Here's this week's installment:
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Offer changes timeline for 2015 DT Mack 
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
2:30
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Gladewater (Texas) High School defensive tackle Daylon Mack felt confident in where his recruitment was headed.
Having picked up offers from the two most well-known programs in his home state, visiting both campuses and dissecting it all, he felt certain that he was ready to make a commitment to one of them.
Then Alabama extended the 2015 prospect a scholarship offer and Mack took a step back. Now, the 6-foot-2, 307-pound prospect intends to take his time when it comes to decision-making in the recruiting process.
Having picked up offers from the two most well-known programs in his home state, visiting both campuses and dissecting it all, he felt certain that he was ready to make a commitment to one of them.
Then Alabama extended the 2015 prospect a scholarship offer and Mack took a step back. Now, the 6-foot-2, 307-pound prospect intends to take his time when it comes to decision-making in the recruiting process.
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Clear-cut leader for 2015 DT Daylon Mack
April, 18, 2013
Apr 18
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Daylon Mack's second trip to Texas A&M reinforced some of the feelings he had the first time he ventured to Aggieland.
And because of that, he's beginning to feel like he knows what his future holds.
And because of that, he's beginning to feel like he knows what his future holds.
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Texas A&M's Maroon-and-White spring football game was not Justin Dunning's first trip to Aggieland.
Like many high school football players in Texas, he has participated in the Texas state 7-on-7 championships, which were annually held at Texas A&M's Penberthy Rec Sports Complex until this year, when it will move to a new town. Dunning also attended the Aggies' home game against South Carolina State in 2012 on his own accord.
But his trip on Saturday was his first true recruiting visit to Texas A&M and in his words, it was a good one.
Like many high school football players in Texas, he has participated in the Texas state 7-on-7 championships, which were annually held at Texas A&M's Penberthy Rec Sports Complex until this year, when it will move to a new town. Dunning also attended the Aggies' home game against South Carolina State in 2012 on his own accord.
But his trip on Saturday was his first true recruiting visit to Texas A&M and in his words, it was a good one.
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After making a memorable run all the way to the Texas Class 5A Division I state championship game, the recruitment of several Houston Lamar 2014 prospects has picked up.
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Recruiting notes: Watch List S likes TAMU
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
1:49
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Mesquite (Texas) West Mesquite safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner was one of a dozen prospects who attended Texas A&M's junior day on Sunday, and all indications are the trip was a positive experience for the ESPN Watch List prospect.
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Q&A: Coach of Watch List WR K.D. Cannon
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
4:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Exceptional production has been one of the hallmarks for one of the top prospects on Oklahoma’s list for the 2014 class. Yet his high school coach is confident the 2014 Sooners offer has plenty of upside when he begins suit up on Saturdays.
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Top 5 moments: 'How'd he do that?'
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
8:05
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
GigEmNation is counting down the top five moments of Texas A&M’s 2012 season this week. No. 5 ...
When Texas A&M traveled to Dallas to take on SMU, redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel made one of the "Wow" plays that makes fans and observers wonder, "How did he do that?" in the third quarter of the Aggies' 48-3 victory. Part of the reason Manziel is nicknamed "Johnny Football" is because of plays like this.
Texas A&M was leading 20-0 and facing third-and-9 at the SMU 42. Manziel dropped back and SMU linebacker Taylor Reed found a hole in the middle of the offensive line, shot the gap and had a clear shot at Manziel and a sack.
Manziel had other ideas. He spun out of the would-be sack and sprinted left as SMU linebacker Ja'Gared Davis sprinted toward him. Before Davis could get there, Manziel leaped off one foot, leaned forward and fired a pass over a leaping Davis. The pass hit senior receiver Kenric McNeal directly on the No. 5 on his jersey and he turned toward the end zone. He sprinted the final 29 yards untouched for the 42-yard touchdown.
It was one of many highlight-worthy plays of the day for Manziel, but it was probably the most impressive, considering how accurate the throw was after he dodged two defenders.
"With Johnny, of course, he's Captain Amazing back there, not getting sacked," senior receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu said after that game. "Johnny Football, Captain Amazing, I'm pretty sure next week we'll have another [nickname] for him. It's a growing legend going on."
Nwachukwu was right. It was a legend that only grew bigger as the season wore on.
When Texas A&M traveled to Dallas to take on SMU, redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel made one of the "Wow" plays that makes fans and observers wonder, "How did he do that?" in the third quarter of the Aggies' 48-3 victory. Part of the reason Manziel is nicknamed "Johnny Football" is because of plays like this.
Texas A&M was leading 20-0 and facing third-and-9 at the SMU 42. Manziel dropped back and SMU linebacker Taylor Reed found a hole in the middle of the offensive line, shot the gap and had a clear shot at Manziel and a sack.
Manziel had other ideas. He spun out of the would-be sack and sprinted left as SMU linebacker Ja'Gared Davis sprinted toward him. Before Davis could get there, Manziel leaped off one foot, leaned forward and fired a pass over a leaping Davis. The pass hit senior receiver Kenric McNeal directly on the No. 5 on his jersey and he turned toward the end zone. He sprinted the final 29 yards untouched for the 42-yard touchdown.
It was one of many highlight-worthy plays of the day for Manziel, but it was probably the most impressive, considering how accurate the throw was after he dodged two defenders.
"With Johnny, of course, he's Captain Amazing back there, not getting sacked," senior receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu said after that game. "Johnny Football, Captain Amazing, I'm pretty sure next week we'll have another [nickname] for him. It's a growing legend going on."
Nwachukwu was right. It was a legend that only grew bigger as the season wore on.
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Sam Khan Jr.
Sam Khan Jr. joined ESPN.com in 2012 after nearly seven years with the Houston Chronicle, covering the University of Houston, college sports and high school sports. Khan lives in Houston with his wife. He can be reached at skespn@gmail.com.