Saturday, March 2, 2013
Aggies add versatile ATH to 2014 class
By Damon Sayles
Texas A&M picked up a solid defensive back in Dylan Sumner-Gardner (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) -- someone who, if needed, can play both positions in the secondary -- Saturday afternoon. Later in the day, the Aggies picked up a player who can see time at several positions on both sides of the ball.
Armani Watts (Forney, Texas/North Forney) verbally committed to play for Texas A&M following the Aggies’ junior day early Saturday afternoon. A multi-faceted athlete, Watts became the Aggies’ ninth overall commitment and second on Saturday.
Watts was offered during the junior day. The best part about it: Even though it was Watts’ first trip to College Station, Texas, he said Texas A&M was the only offer he actually wanted, and it was an offer that his mother, Deitra Alexander, approved of.
“I really liked the coaching staff, and everything felt like family,” a very happy Watts said. “I felt right at home. It feels good, a stress reliever."
“I feel great about it. He was excited, and this was a decision that he made,” Alexander added. “He was 100 percent sure about it, and I’m very happy.”
At 6 feet and 180 pounds, Watts played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety, cornerback and special teams for his high school. Recruited by receivers coach David Beaty, Watts is expected to play safety or cornerback for the Aggies.
“It’s the SEC, and it’s still close to mom,” said Richard Leonard, North Forney’s offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. “He’s got a pretty good relationship with his mom. I knew if they offered, he’d probably commit. It helps that Coach Sumlin and all those guys are good guys and coach the right way.”
Watts is the ninth member of the Aggies’ 2014 recruiting class, and he’s projected to add to an already talented group of defensive backs. Watts said the junior day itself proved to be the proverbial icing on the cake.
“I was really expecting it to be like the other junior days, but it wasn’t,” he said. “They actually showed that they cared and didn’t sugarcoat anything. They said, ‘Once you’re an Aggie, you’ll always be an Aggie.’ I really liked that, and I like the tradition.”
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