Texas A&M Aggies: Marcel Yates
Since he could remember, ESPN 300 athlete Armani Watts has been playing multiple roles on the football field.
Even when he was at the tender age of 5, the Forney (Texas) North Forney prospect can remember not wanting to come off the field.
That mentality has stayed with him throughout his football development. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound Watts, who is the No. 258 player in the ESPN 300 and committed to Texas A&M, likes playing multiple roles for his team.
Even when he was at the tender age of 5, the Forney (Texas) North Forney prospect can remember not wanting to come off the field.
That mentality has stayed with him throughout his football development. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound Watts, who is the No. 258 player in the ESPN 300 and committed to Texas A&M, likes playing multiple roles for his team.
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Texas A&M held its second one-day camp of the month on Sunday at the Coolidge Grass Practice Fields in College Station, Texas and there was plenty of action during -- and after -- the camp when it came to recruiting. Among the highlights:
Aggies offer 2014 OT
La Grange (Texas) High School offensive tackle Zachary Ledwik has seen his recruiting stock skyrocket recently. A week ago, Texas offered the 6-foot-5 prospect and on Sunday, Texas A&M became the latest team to offer Ledwik. He weighed in at 273 pounds and with a handful of power conference offers already (Arizona State, Baylor, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon State and Texas Tech are the others), he's finding that his decision will be a difficult one. Ledwik will return to Texas today for a visit and after that's complete, he said he plans to schedule an unofficial visit to return to Texas A&M.
Aggies offer 2014 OT
La Grange (Texas) High School offensive tackle Zachary Ledwik has seen his recruiting stock skyrocket recently. A week ago, Texas offered the 6-foot-5 prospect and on Sunday, Texas A&M became the latest team to offer Ledwik. He weighed in at 273 pounds and with a handful of power conference offers already (Arizona State, Baylor, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon State and Texas Tech are the others), he's finding that his decision will be a difficult one. Ledwik will return to Texas today for a visit and after that's complete, he said he plans to schedule an unofficial visit to return to Texas A&M.
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RICHMOND, Texas — The ongoing transition for ESPN 150 athlete Nick Harvey (Richmond, Texas/Travis) has been mostly positive.
After moving to the Houston-area with his family after a memorable run to the Class 4A Divison II state championship game last fall with Lancaster (Texas) High School, the spring semester has been about adjustments -- to new surroundings, new teammates, new friends, a new life.
After moving to the Houston-area with his family after a memorable run to the Class 4A Divison II state championship game last fall with Lancaster (Texas) High School, the spring semester has been about adjustments -- to new surroundings, new teammates, new friends, a new life.
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Recruiting notes: A&M makes Frazier's cut 
May, 24, 2013
May 24
9:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Prospects use Twitter in a multitude of ways when it comes to recruiting, including announcing their commitment or their lists of top schools.
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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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COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Going into the 2012 season, Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder could take some comfort in the fact that the Aggies' defense had experienced upperclassmen in key spots.
Two starting linebackers, both of whom emerged as leaders for the 11-2 Aggies, were seniors (Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart). So was the starting free safety (Steven Terrell) and one defensive tackle (Spencer Nealy). The player who emerged as the team's leader in several statistical categories was a junior and third-year letterman, Damontre Moore.
With all of those players gone, the Aggies are hunting for new leaders on their defense. Interestingly, it may come from the part of the defense that was the youngest last season: the secondary.
"Coming into the spring, we basically have been trying to find our new leaders," senior defensive back Toney Hurd Jr. said. "Vocal leaders, people that lead by example. We have a couple of people that are falling into that role. Donnie Baggs, Howard Matthews, Deshazor Everett and I've also been one of the people that are trying to step into this new role. We're trying to find new leaders for the defense and for the team next year."
Baggs is the first team middle linebacker -- the same position Stewart was in last year -- so his emergence is key. The new blood replacing the other departed seniors, and Moore, are all young or inexperienced or both.
Matthews, who started the Aggies' last four games at strong safety and played in 12, has probably made the biggest transformation. At the start of last season, he wasn't even on the two-deep. By season's end, he became a key player and this spring, Snyder and defensive backs coach Marcel Yates are looking to him to help others, like junior Floyd Raven, who has moved to free safety from cornerback.
Two starting linebackers, both of whom emerged as leaders for the 11-2 Aggies, were seniors (Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart). So was the starting free safety (Steven Terrell) and one defensive tackle (Spencer Nealy). The player who emerged as the team's leader in several statistical categories was a junior and third-year letterman, Damontre Moore.
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Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesCould Deshazor Everett become a leader for Texas A&M this season?
"Coming into the spring, we basically have been trying to find our new leaders," senior defensive back Toney Hurd Jr. said. "Vocal leaders, people that lead by example. We have a couple of people that are falling into that role. Donnie Baggs, Howard Matthews, Deshazor Everett and I've also been one of the people that are trying to step into this new role. We're trying to find new leaders for the defense and for the team next year."
Baggs is the first team middle linebacker -- the same position Stewart was in last year -- so his emergence is key. The new blood replacing the other departed seniors, and Moore, are all young or inexperienced or both.
Matthews, who started the Aggies' last four games at strong safety and played in 12, has probably made the biggest transformation. At the start of last season, he wasn't even on the two-deep. By season's end, he became a key player and this spring, Snyder and defensive backs coach Marcel Yates are looking to him to help others, like junior Floyd Raven, who has moved to free safety from cornerback.
A&M trip opens Watch List safety's eyes
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
10:30
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The secret is out about ESPN Watch List safety Steven Parker (Jenks, Okla./Jenks), and now Parker is starting to get out himself.
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Recruiting notes: ATH Jackson talks plans
March, 15, 2013
Mar 15
9:00
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List athlete Adoreé Jackson wasn't able to participate in the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp over the weekend because of a foot injury, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been busy on the recruiting trail.
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Recruiting notes: LB Whitley in no hurry
February, 15, 2013
Feb 15
9:00
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
In the last three weeks, ESPN Watch List linebacker Zach Whitley Jr. (Houston/North Shore) has attended a pair of junior days and picked up a notable SEC offer.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound inside linebacker attended Texas A&M's first junior day of the year on Jan. 27 then went to Austin for Texas' first junior day on Sunday.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound inside linebacker attended Texas A&M's first junior day of the year on Jan. 27 then went to Austin for Texas' first junior day on Sunday.
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"Introducing the class" is a series in which GigEmNation conducts a Q&A session with each of the incoming recruits in Texas A&M's 2013 class to give readers a closer look at each recruit individually. Today, we visit with Manvel (Texas) High School cornerback Tavares Garner.
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Recruiting notes: Watch List S likes TAMU
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
1:49
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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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Introducing the class: Jonathan Wiggins
January, 28, 2013
Jan 28
1:30
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
"Introducing the class" is a series in which GigEmNation conducts a Q&A session with each of the incoming recruits in Texas A&M's 2013 class to give readers a closer look at each recruit individually. Today, we visit with Houston/Alief Taylor safety Jonathan Wiggins.
Wiggins is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety who committed to Texas A&M early. He gave the Aggies his pledge on Feb. 19, 2012. A three-star prospect, Wiggins is ranked No. 33 nationally among safeties. He helped lead Alief Taylor to an 8-4 record and a second-round appearance in the Texas Class 5A Division I state playoffs, where it fell to eventual state finalist Houston/Lamar.
In 2012, Wiggins finished with 111 tackles (61 solo), six tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Here's our Q&A with Wiggins, who completed his official visit to Texas A&M on Sunday:
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LaRue will fit nicely in Aggies' offense
January, 25, 2013
Jan 25
3:05
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
When it comes to fits, there might not be a better fit for ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) than Texas A&M.
Take a fast, dynamic receiver whose strength is making plays in space with the football in his hands in an offense that is geared to do just that and you have the potential for something great.
Once he arrives in Aggieland, LaRue, a former USC commitment, will be a slot receiver, most likely lining up at the 'Y' position, where senior Ryan Swope caught 72 passes for 913 yards and 8 touchdowns this season.
Take a fast, dynamic receiver whose strength is making plays in space with the football in his hands in an offense that is geared to do just that and you have the potential for something great.
Once he arrives in Aggieland, LaRue, a former USC commitment, will be a slot receiver, most likely lining up at the 'Y' position, where senior Ryan Swope caught 72 passes for 913 yards and 8 touchdowns this season.
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Texas A&M's receiver class just got even better.
The Aggies have landed a commitment from ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica), according to his head coach, Travis Clark.
The No. 74 player in the ESPN 150 is a four-star prospect who is ranked as the No. 9 receiver in the country. LaRue recently took an official visit to Texas A&M Jan. 18-20.
The Aggies have landed a commitment from ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica), according to his head coach, Travis Clark.
The No. 74 player in the ESPN 150 is a four-star prospect who is ranked as the No. 9 receiver in the country. LaRue recently took an official visit to Texas A&M Jan. 18-20.
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ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue has been to College Station, Texas, before.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound four-star prospect, a former USC commit, visited Texas A&M unofficially well before the 2012 season began. He made his official visit to Aggieland this weekend to get a second look and a closer look at the campus.
According to LaRue, things went well.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound four-star prospect, a former USC commit, visited Texas A&M unofficially well before the 2012 season began. He made his official visit to Aggieland this weekend to get a second look and a closer look at the campus.
According to LaRue, things went well.
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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.