Williams makes call for Texas A&M 
December, 2, 2012
12/02/12
8:26
PM CT
By
Kipp Adams and
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Texas A&M continues to pick up commitments on the heels of its 10-2 inaugural Southeastern Conference campaign, and the latest comes from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy receiver Ja'Quay Williams.
"After looking at everything and taking time to evaluate for now and into the future, Coach [Kevin] Sumlin, his staff, and the program is where I need to be and where I am now committed, 110 percent," Williams said. "I indicated so tonight!
"I have officially committed to Texas A&M."
"After looking at everything and taking time to evaluate for now and into the future, Coach [Kevin] Sumlin, his staff, and the program is where I need to be and where I am now committed, 110 percent," Williams said. "I indicated so tonight!
"I have officially committed to Texas A&M."
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DT Manning moves up announcement date
December, 2, 2012
12/02/12
12:12
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
It’s been quite a journey, but ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) now knows where he wants to play college football.
In fact, he’s so confident that he moved up his announcement date from Friday to Thursday.
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Hoza Scott's pledge just a matter of time
December, 1, 2012
12/01/12
2:47
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
HOUSTON -- ESPN Watch List linebacker Hoza Scott didn't have the end to his season that he was envisioning.
A year ago, he and his La Porte (Texas) teammates upset No. 1 Katy (Texas) 9-7 to win a regional title and had hopes that, even though they were banged up, they could repeat that feat this season.
The once-again Class 5A No. 1 Tigers had other ideas this time, dominating the Bulldogs 55-10 on Saturday at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
A year ago, he and his La Porte (Texas) teammates upset No. 1 Katy (Texas) 9-7 to win a regional title and had hopes that, even though they were banged up, they could repeat that feat this season.
The once-again Class 5A No. 1 Tigers had other ideas this time, dominating the Bulldogs 55-10 on Saturday at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
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Bald Man On Campus: Johnny football
December, 1, 2012
12/01/12
12:03
PM CT
By GigEmNation staff | ESPN.com
Johnny Manziel sits down with Scott Van Pelt to talk about his incredible freshman season at Texas A&M and what it means to be a Heisman candidate.
Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel went on Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio on Friday morning to discuss his outstanding freshman season, beating Alabama, breaking Cam Newton's SEC record for total yards, his Heisman chances and more. Manziel compared the Alabama game to the movie "300" and talked about how his life has changed since that game. Listen here 
Chat wrap: Talking 'Johnny Football'
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
4:56
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
GigEmNation writer Sam Khan Jr. chatted with readers on Friday about Texas A&M football and recruiting. Here's the full transcript of the chat. The Aggies are off this week and are awaiting their bowl game destination, which appears to be the Capital One Bowl, according to ESPN's Brett McMurphy. Here's an excerpt from Friday's chat which included talk about potential bowl games, Heisman Trophy candidate Johnny Manziel and how the Aggies will close out the 2013 recruiting class:
Mike (San Diego): In the history of the Heisman only 3 defensive players have won and a freshman has never won. Do you think with those facts the Heisman is a given with Manziel's numbers, the conference he plays in, and the fact that he beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
Sam Khan Jr.: Mike, I don't know that I'd go so far to say "it's a given," but I think Johnny Manziel is the frontrunner at the moment and I don't know if anybody can knock him from that perch between now and when the ballots are due. Based on the buzz you hear from across the country, it seems like he has won over a lot of folks, despite his freshman classification. And I think it's because of the last couple things you mentioned: the conference he plays in (the SEC) and the "Heisman moment" he had against Alabama.
Mack Brown (Austin): Sam, if A&M returns Joeckel, Moore and Matthews next season, are they a top 5 team?
Sam Khan Jr.: Mack, if they return all three of those guys, they might be a preseason top-3 team. Seriously. That would be huge for Texas A&M if all three of those guys came back. You would be discussing the real possibility of a BCS championship game run. They were five points away from being in that conversation this year.
Patrick (Houston): What are our chances with RSJ and Isaac Savaiinaea? Should we be worried about UCLA?
Sam Khan Jr.: Patrick, I think RSJ is the Aggies' to lose. LSU is still recruiting him hard but I think Texas A&M has the edge. Savaiinaea I think is a true coin-flip. He could go either-or. He loved the atmosphere in College Station but it's a long way (nine-hour flight) from home. He also said UCLA, climate-wise, kind of reminded him of home. No matter who he picks, I won't be surprised. He's been pretty upfront and really likes both places.
Mike (San Diego): In the history of the Heisman only 3 defensive players have won and a freshman has never won. Do you think with those facts the Heisman is a given with Manziel's numbers, the conference he plays in, and the fact that he beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
Sam Khan Jr.: Mike, I don't know that I'd go so far to say "it's a given," but I think Johnny Manziel is the frontrunner at the moment and I don't know if anybody can knock him from that perch between now and when the ballots are due. Based on the buzz you hear from across the country, it seems like he has won over a lot of folks, despite his freshman classification. And I think it's because of the last couple things you mentioned: the conference he plays in (the SEC) and the "Heisman moment" he had against Alabama.
Mack Brown (Austin): Sam, if A&M returns Joeckel, Moore and Matthews next season, are they a top 5 team?
Sam Khan Jr.: Mack, if they return all three of those guys, they might be a preseason top-3 team. Seriously. That would be huge for Texas A&M if all three of those guys came back. You would be discussing the real possibility of a BCS championship game run. They were five points away from being in that conversation this year.
Patrick (Houston): What are our chances with RSJ and Isaac Savaiinaea? Should we be worried about UCLA?
Sam Khan Jr.: Patrick, I think RSJ is the Aggies' to lose. LSU is still recruiting him hard but I think Texas A&M has the edge. Savaiinaea I think is a true coin-flip. He could go either-or. He loved the atmosphere in College Station but it's a long way (nine-hour flight) from home. He also said UCLA, climate-wise, kind of reminded him of home. No matter who he picks, I won't be surprised. He's been pretty upfront and really likes both places.
#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
1:20
PM CT
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.
In the weeks leading up to Texas A&M's bowl game, GigEmNation will take a look back at how the Aggies performed position-by-position and give each group a grade based on that performance. Today, we look at the safety position.
Highlights: Senior Steven Terrell was the only safety to play and start all 12 games for the Aggies this season and was solid from start to finish. He tied for fifth on the team in tackles for the season (58), had four tackles for loss and two interceptions, both of which came in the Aggies' 58-10 win over Arkansas. He also had five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Late in the season, Howard Matthews came on strong and cornerbacks Deshazor Everett and Toney Hurd proved capable of playing the position during the times they were shifted back there.
Lowlights: There was hope that this was going to be a strong senior year for Steven Campbell, but it wasn't to be. A career that was marred by injuries was cut short by midseason. He appeared in two games this season and started one. He missed one game due to a suspension for violation of team rules and missed the Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana Tech games because of what Kevin Sumlin called "recurring headaches" and called it quits at that point.
Highlights: Senior Steven Terrell was the only safety to play and start all 12 games for the Aggies this season and was solid from start to finish. He tied for fifth on the team in tackles for the season (58), had four tackles for loss and two interceptions, both of which came in the Aggies' 58-10 win over Arkansas. He also had five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Late in the season, Howard Matthews came on strong and cornerbacks Deshazor Everett and Toney Hurd proved capable of playing the position during the times they were shifted back there.
Lowlights: There was hope that this was going to be a strong senior year for Steven Campbell, but it wasn't to be. A career that was marred by injuries was cut short by midseason. He appeared in two games this season and started one. He missed one game due to a suspension for violation of team rules and missed the Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana Tech games because of what Kevin Sumlin called "recurring headaches" and called it quits at that point.
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ESPN 150 Isaac Savaiinaea sticks with it
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Texas A&M and UCLA linebacker target Isaac Savaiinaea received his honorary game jersey during the American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday. Here's an excerpt from the story:
When Isaac Savaiinaea first encountered football, it was far from his favorite endeavor. As a 7-year-old who was introduced to the sport by his father, he didn't take kindly to defeat.
"My first four years of football were rough," Savaiinaea said. "We lost every game, literally. It was kind of discouraging and I wanted to quit."
He started his career playing on the offensive line, and he didn't particularly enjoy the way he was pushed around and hit by defensive players. By time he got to Honolulu Punahou School, he changed that, moving to the defensive side. Now he does the hitting and he does plenty of it -- enough to be recruited by quality college football programs across the United States.
"Getting put on my back every play wasn't too fun," Savaiinaea said. "I switched [to defense] my freshman year. I started to like it when I started getting the chance to hit people and not get hit."
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound inside linebacker and ESPN 150 prospect has had quite a successful last two seasons, which culminated Thursday when he accepted his game jersey during the American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
Read the full story here.
When Isaac Savaiinaea first encountered football, it was far from his favorite endeavor. As a 7-year-old who was introduced to the sport by his father, he didn't take kindly to defeat.
"My first four years of football were rough," Savaiinaea said. "We lost every game, literally. It was kind of discouraging and I wanted to quit."
He started his career playing on the offensive line, and he didn't particularly enjoy the way he was pushed around and hit by defensive players. By time he got to Honolulu Punahou School, he changed that, moving to the defensive side. Now he does the hitting and he does plenty of it -- enough to be recruited by quality college football programs across the United States.
"Getting put on my back every play wasn't too fun," Savaiinaea said. "I switched [to defense] my freshman year. I started to like it when I started getting the chance to hit people and not get hit."
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound inside linebacker and ESPN 150 prospect has had quite a successful last two seasons, which culminated Thursday when he accepted his game jersey during the American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
Read the full story here.
Decision soon for WR Ja'Quay Williams
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
10:34
PM CT
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Wide receiver Ja'Quay Williams (Tyrone, Ga./Fork Union Military Academy) might have decommitted from Auburn last week, but the 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect appears to still have plans to play in the SEC. After taking official visits to Texas A&M and Georgia the last two weekends, Williams will check out South Carolina this weekend, with a decision coming immediately following his trip.
"I'm going on an official to South Carolina now and committing Sunday," Williams said.
South Carolina has come on late for Williams, beating out Mississippi State, Miami and Michigan for the chance to get the talented wideout on campus. A four-star receiver out of Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek, Williams is close friends with ESPN 150 cornerback Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek), another prospect the Gamecocks are making a move to get. The two are contemplating signing with the same program.
"I'm going on an official to South Carolina now and committing Sunday," Williams said.
South Carolina has come on late for Williams, beating out Mississippi State, Miami and Michigan for the chance to get the talented wideout on campus. A four-star receiver out of Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek, Williams is close friends with ESPN 150 cornerback Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek), another prospect the Gamecocks are making a move to get. The two are contemplating signing with the same program.
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A&M adds Tony Trocha to 2013 hoops class
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
5:52
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Texas A&M added to its 2013 men's basketball recruiting class on Thursday when it received a national letter of intent from four-star power forward Tony Trocha.
The 6-foot-10, 220-pound Colombian native inked with the Aggies on Thursday, adding length and athleticism to coach Billy Kennedy's haul, which also includes Stone Mountain (Ga.) Tucker small forward Davonte Fitzgerald and Houston Wheatley power forward Tavario Miller.
“I am excited to add Tony to our program,” Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said in a statement. “He will have an immediate impact to our program. He is a skilled big man who affects the game on both ends of the floor.”
Trocha arrived at Houston St. Thomas High School in the spring, moving to Texas from Colombia. In the summer, he averaged 16 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Colombian U-18 team at the FIBA Americas in Brazil. Ranked as the No. 28 power forward in the country, Trocha was recruited by several schools, including Arizona, Baylor, Florida, Georgetown, Houston, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oregon, Providence, Texas Tech and UCLA.
The 6-foot-10, 220-pound Colombian native inked with the Aggies on Thursday, adding length and athleticism to coach Billy Kennedy's haul, which also includes Stone Mountain (Ga.) Tucker small forward Davonte Fitzgerald and Houston Wheatley power forward Tavario Miller.
“I am excited to add Tony to our program,” Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said in a statement. “He will have an immediate impact to our program. He is a skilled big man who affects the game on both ends of the floor.”
Trocha arrived at Houston St. Thomas High School in the spring, moving to Texas from Colombia. In the summer, he averaged 16 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Colombian U-18 team at the FIBA Americas in Brazil. Ranked as the No. 28 power forward in the country, Trocha was recruited by several schools, including Arizona, Baylor, Florida, Georgetown, Houston, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oregon, Providence, Texas Tech and UCLA.
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Where the Midlands staff will be this week
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
5:30
PM CT
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Each week across our RecruitingNation sites, we'll highlight which high school football games the Midlands recruiting staff will be attending:
Friday, Nov. 30
• Class 6A championship: Jenks, Okla., vs. Norman (Okla.) North, 7:30 p.m., at Oklahoma State - Bob Przybylo, SoonerNation
Players to watch: WR Jordan Smallwood, Jenks (Oklahoma commit); 2014 S Steven Parker, Jenks; LB Jordan Evans, Norman North
• Celina (Texas) vs. Henderson (Texas), 7:30 p.m., Hanby Stadium, Mesquite, Texas - Damon Sayles, RecruitingNation
Players to watch: OL Jake Raulerson, Celina (Texas commit), 2015 QB Nathan Elliott, Celina; ATH Patrick Brown, Henderson, DE Bo Brady, Henderson
Friday, Nov. 30
• Class 6A championship: Jenks, Okla., vs. Norman (Okla.) North, 7:30 p.m., at Oklahoma State - Bob Przybylo, SoonerNation
Players to watch: WR Jordan Smallwood, Jenks (Oklahoma commit); 2014 S Steven Parker, Jenks; LB Jordan Evans, Norman North
• Celina (Texas) vs. Henderson (Texas), 7:30 p.m., Hanby Stadium, Mesquite, Texas - Damon Sayles, RecruitingNation
Players to watch: OL Jake Raulerson, Celina (Texas commit), 2015 QB Nathan Elliott, Celina; ATH Patrick Brown, Henderson, DE Bo Brady, Henderson
TAMU, LSU visit ESPN 150 Seals-Jones
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
12:23
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
The two-way battle between LSU and Texas A&M for ESPN 150 athlete Ricky Seals-Jones continues.
The Sealy (Texas) High School prospect, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation among athletes, hosted LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey for an in-home visit on Monday, Seals-Jones' father Chester Jones confirmed.
McGaughey has been recruiting Seals-Jones for the Tigers. His visit came just two days after Seals-Jones took an unofficial visit to College Station, Texas, to see Missouri take on Texas A&M at Kyle Field.
According to Jones, Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney is in Sealy today to meet with Seals-Jones, as well. McKinney will have an in-home visit with Seals-Jones tonight. McKinney has been recruiting Seals-Jones for the Aggies.
The Sealy (Texas) High School prospect, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation among athletes, hosted LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey for an in-home visit on Monday, Seals-Jones' father Chester Jones confirmed.
McGaughey has been recruiting Seals-Jones for the Tigers. His visit came just two days after Seals-Jones took an unofficial visit to College Station, Texas, to see Missouri take on Texas A&M at Kyle Field.
According to Jones, Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney is in Sealy today to meet with Seals-Jones, as well. McKinney will have an in-home visit with Seals-Jones tonight. McKinney has been recruiting Seals-Jones for the Aggies.
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Texas A&M's momentum in the 2014 recruiting class continues to build.
The Aggies made their fourth addition to the class on Thursday morning, landing ESPN Watch List running back Shaun Nixon of Austin (Texas) Lake Travis. Nixon confirmed the news to RecruitingNation via text message.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back had five offers in total, with the others coming from Baylor, Clemson, SMU and Texas Tech. He was also receiving interest from TCU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas.
The Aggies made their fourth addition to the class on Thursday morning, landing ESPN Watch List running back Shaun Nixon of Austin (Texas) Lake Travis. Nixon confirmed the news to RecruitingNation via text message.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back had five offers in total, with the others coming from Baylor, Clemson, SMU and Texas Tech. He was also receiving interest from TCU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas.
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How TAMU can sign 34 recruits for 2013
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
10:30
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Now that Texas A&M's regular season is complete, coach Kevin Sumlin and his staff have turned their full attention to recruiting, closing out the 2013 class and building on their 2014 haul, which already has begun with three commitments in the books.
With 31 commitments for the Class of 2013, the Aggies currently lead the nation in total commitments. And they're not finished yet, still in the hunt for some of their top remaining targets. Among the players the Aggies are still pursuing:
" ATH Ricky Seals-Jones, Sealy (Texas) High School: The No. 13 player in the ESPN 150 and the nation's No. 1 athlete is down to LSU and Texas A&M. He recently took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M for the Missouri game and was visited by LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. Seals-Jones said he plans to take official visits to both schools but is mum on a decision timeline or even if a decision could come before or after said officials.
With 31 commitments for the Class of 2013, the Aggies currently lead the nation in total commitments. And they're not finished yet, still in the hunt for some of their top remaining targets. Among the players the Aggies are still pursuing:
" ATH Ricky Seals-Jones, Sealy (Texas) High School: The No. 13 player in the ESPN 150 and the nation's No. 1 athlete is down to LSU and Texas A&M. He recently took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M for the Missouri game and was visited by LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. Seals-Jones said he plans to take official visits to both schools but is mum on a decision timeline or even if a decision could come before or after said officials.
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ABOUT GIGEMNATION
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.