Texas A&M Aggies: Terry Price
With the spring evaluation period fully underway, Texas A&M assistant coaches have been visiting high schools throughout the state and the country to check in on commitments, current targets and potential future targets in recruiting.
One of the most notable stops of the week occurred when Aggies' quarterback coach Jake Spavital stopped by Bossier City (La.) Parkway High School on Tuesday to see 2014 quarterback Brandon Harris.
One of the most notable stops of the week occurred when Aggies' quarterback coach Jake Spavital stopped by Bossier City (La.) Parkway High School on Tuesday to see 2014 quarterback Brandon Harris.
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HUMBLE, Texas -- Deionte Thompson's last visit to Alabama was a memorable one. And though it's hard to top that day, when the Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark 2015 safety committed to the Crimson Tide, he had a pretty fun time when he returned to Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently for A-Day.
He even brought along a friend, fellow Southeast Texas defensive back Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) an ESPN 150 prospect.
"It was great," said Thompson, who competed in the Texas Class 3A Region III track and field championships with his West Orange-Stark teammates over the weekend. "Tony Brown came with me. We talked to a lot of other recruits, two of the other commits from the Class of 2015. We watched the game, saw some stuff where they need to improve on and what they're good at, so it was a great time going out there and having fun."
He even brought along a friend, fellow Southeast Texas defensive back Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) an ESPN 150 prospect.
"It was great," said Thompson, who competed in the Texas Class 3A Region III track and field championships with his West Orange-Stark teammates over the weekend. "Tony Brown came with me. We talked to a lot of other recruits, two of the other commits from the Class of 2015. We watched the game, saw some stuff where they need to improve on and what they're good at, so it was a great time going out there and having fun."
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Former Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel's name could be the first called when the NFL draft begins on Thursday.
If it does play out that way, it would be the latest in a long line of landmark events that have occurred since the start of last football season that have raised Texas A&M's profile and, as a result, helped the Aggies in recruiting.
If it does play out that way, it would be the latest in a long line of landmark events that have occurred since the start of last football season that have raised Texas A&M's profile and, as a result, helped the Aggies in recruiting.
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Recruiting notes: TAMU impresses DE Johnson 
March, 8, 2013
Mar 8
11:30
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Going into last weekend, Texas A&M had a little ground to make up when it came to the race for Katy (Texas) Seven Lakes defensive end Jarrett Johnson.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect already had visited Texas, but his visit to Aggieland closed the gap in the race. The Aggies made quite the impression on Johnson, enough for him to call the race "even."
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect already had visited Texas, but his visit to Aggieland closed the gap in the race. The Aggies made quite the impression on Johnson, enough for him to call the race "even."
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While he is only a sophomore, Gladewater (Texas) High School defensive tackle Daylon Mack is already receiving plenty of attention as a recruit.
The 2015 prospect, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 310 pounds, holds a half-dozen offers, with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M topping the list.
The 2015 prospect, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 310 pounds, holds a half-dozen offers, with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M topping the list.
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Recruiting notebook: Busy weekend ahead
January, 25, 2013
Jan 25
8:30
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
There will be no shortage of recruits on the Texas A&M campus this weekend.
From longtime commits who are finally taking their official visits, to one visitor from the class of 2013 who is committed elsewhere and several notable members of the 2014 class.
One of the notable names that will visit is expected in town today: 2014 offensive tackle Braden Smith.
The ESPN Watch List prospect from Olathe (Kan.) South High School will be touring the campus today in advance of Mondo Challenge college track and field meet taking place on campus. Smith's sister, Megan, is a thrower for TCU which is competing in the event.
From longtime commits who are finally taking their official visits, to one visitor from the class of 2013 who is committed elsewhere and several notable members of the 2014 class.
One of the notable names that will visit is expected in town today: 2014 offensive tackle Braden Smith.
The ESPN Watch List prospect from Olathe (Kan.) South High School will be touring the campus today in advance of Mondo Challenge college track and field meet taking place on campus. Smith's sister, Megan, is a thrower for TCU which is competing in the event.
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USC commit, ESPN 300 DE talks Aggies
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
11:05
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Houston Alief Taylor defensive end and USC commitment Torrodney Prevot had an in-home visitor from his home state Wednesday night.
The ESPN 300 prospect, who has been committed to USC since July, is still being courted by other schools.
The ESPN 300 prospect, who has been committed to USC since July, is still being courted by other schools.
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Decisions that defined A&M in 2012: No. 4
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
3:00
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
This week, GigEmNation looks back at five decisions that helped define Texas A&M's 2012 season. These moments could be on or off the field or could have even come before the season, so long that they had a lasting impact on the Aggies' 2012 campaign. Today, we look at our pick for No. 4, the hiring defensive coordinator Mark Snyder
One of the biggest question marks for Texas A&M heading into its first Southeastern Conference season was on defense.
In particular, the Aggies' defensive line was a concern. After spending two years in a 3-4 alignment and recruiting for that, Texas A&M moved to a 4-3 this season even though depth wasn't plentiful, specifically on the defensive interior. The coaches stated that as a concern, as well as the possibility of having to play younger players early in physical league like the SEC.
One of the biggest question marks for Texas A&M heading into its first Southeastern Conference season was on defense.
In particular, the Aggies' defensive line was a concern. After spending two years in a 3-4 alignment and recruiting for that, Texas A&M moved to a 4-3 this season even though depth wasn't plentiful, specifically on the defensive interior. The coaches stated that as a concern, as well as the possibility of having to play younger players early in physical league like the SEC.
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Grading the positions: Defensive line
December, 20, 2012
12/20/12
10:30
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
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 defensive line.
Highlights: This was the group that garnered the most questions from observers going into the season. At SEC media days and during fall training camp, questions about depth -- particularly at defensive tackle -- lingered as the Aggies moved around the pieces. The front four responded resoundingly, becoming one of the bright spots, if not the bright spot, on the defense. Defensive end Damontre Moore was dominant virtually all season, finishing tied for third in the nation in sacks (12.5) and tied for fifth in tackles for loss (20) and leading the Aggies in tackles (80). Spencer Nealy, who transitioned to defensive tackle from defensive end, received high praise from the coaching staff for consistently taking on double teams and having an impact. Kirby Ennis was effective in run defense and true freshman Julien Obioha made an impact despite his youth.
Lowlights: The biggest struggle the Aggies had up front came against LSU. Early on, the unit performed well but the Tigers ate up chunks of yardage on the ground as the game went on and finished with 219 rushing yards, the most any team compiled against Texas A&M all season.
Highlights: This was the group that garnered the most questions from observers going into the season. At SEC media days and during fall training camp, questions about depth -- particularly at defensive tackle -- lingered as the Aggies moved around the pieces. The front four responded resoundingly, becoming one of the bright spots, if not the bright spot, on the defense. Defensive end Damontre Moore was dominant virtually all season, finishing tied for third in the nation in sacks (12.5) and tied for fifth in tackles for loss (20) and leading the Aggies in tackles (80). Spencer Nealy, who transitioned to defensive tackle from defensive end, received high praise from the coaching staff for consistently taking on double teams and having an impact. Kirby Ennis was effective in run defense and true freshman Julien Obioha made an impact despite his youth.
Lowlights: The biggest struggle the Aggies had up front came against LSU. Early on, the unit performed well but the Tigers ate up chunks of yardage on the ground as the game went on and finished with 219 rushing yards, the most any team compiled against Texas A&M all season.
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DE Jay Arnold talks Texas A&M official
December, 17, 2012
12/17/12
10:15
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Rockwall (Texas) Heath defensive end Jay Arnold has made his fair share of trips to College Station, Texas. So his official visit to Texas A&M over the weekend didn't bring much by way of new experiences.
What it did bring that made Arnold happy was food.
"I had a great time," Arnold said. "The food was amazing. That was probably the best part, just getting to eat all the time. They fed us so much."
What it did bring that made Arnold happy was food.
"I had a great time," Arnold said. "The food was amazing. That was probably the best part, just getting to eat all the time. They fed us so much."
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Moore is conditioned for success in 2012
November, 7, 2012
11/07/12
2:15
PM CT
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Quick: Name the SEC’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss.
Jarvis Jones? Obvious choice after he led the SEC with 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last year, but no.
How about Jadeveon Clowney? He’s a freak, but think again.
Time’s up!
Both were solid guesses, but both are staring up at the new kid on the SEC block -- Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore.
The former outside linebacker has taken to his new position and run with it … right over opposing quarterbacks. He’s tied for first in the nation with 11.5 sacks and stands alone nationally with 19 tackles for loss.
Jones’ impressive 2011 debut might be a blip on the radar compared to what Moore could do in the next month.
“He’s definitely come a long way,” defensive line coach Terry Price said.
“He’s really turned his game up and accepted the challenges that are put in front of him to be the hardest playing defensive end in the country.”
He was a star in the Big 12 last year with his 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, but his numbers masked a glaring issue that his new coaches immediately noticed on film.
They saw a primo athlete who was also very sluggish at times. When he was on, he was dominant, but he was only registering around 30 or 40 plays a game. When Kevin Sumlin took over at A&M, he realized that if Moore was going to succeed in the line-driven SEC, he had to get into better shape.
Sumlin’s extra workout sessions with strength coach Larry Jackson pushed spring practice back two weeks. It was something that irked Moore, who was antsy without his pads this spring, but as he prepares for his 10th game of the season, he looks back at the grueling punishment his body took and is thankful for the extra work.
“Those two weeks helped me build up my conditioning,” Moore said.
“I’m able to run a lot longer than most big men my size. That was the advantage on my end and I’m able to work at a high level consistently and go 60, 80 plays down the line. When other people are dying off, I’m building up or staying consistent where I’m at.”
Moore is basically a new man. He’s physically and mentally tougher and his endurance has cranked his motor up to a level he didn’t have in 2011. He’s gone from taking himself out of games to taking wide receivers down from behind -- in a dead sprint.
That extra conditioning has also helped him adapted better up front. Having to constantly throw one’s body into someone with more than 60 pounds on him each play can take a toll on someone’s stamina, especially when you aren’t used to so much contact.
But with Moore’s one-track mind, he’s too obsessed with hammering quarterbacks to worry about being out-muscled. Quarterbacks have something he wants -- the football – and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to either get it, or make them feel sorry for ever deciding to take it.
“It’s like a horse when you put on their blinders when they’re about to race,” Moore said. “They only see that one thing in front of them and that’s how I feel. I see that one thing in front of me and I lock in on it and I hone in on it and I go get it.”
Moore might be regularly terrorizing opposing backfields, but he’s still managed to stay in the shadows of Jones and Clowney. League seniority will do that, but it doesn’t bother Moore.
He isn’t offended. He’s motivated.
Moore understands he still has a lot to prove and he knows he has a great opportunity to earn more respect against the nation’s top offensive this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Alabama features two future first-rounders in Cyrus Kouandjio and D.J. Fluker who will make Moore work for everything, and try to wear him out of 60 or 80 plays.
Moore relishes the opportunity. He’s bested most who have stood before him, and while he isn’t favored Saturday, he likes his odds.
“I don’t mind being the underdog,” he said. “I love proving people wrong.
“I like it when people say, ‘You can’t do that.’ That way, when I go in there I have that motivation, that drive, that will and that want-to just to prove that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
“If you tell me I can’t do it, then I’m going to go do it.”
Jarvis Jones? Obvious choice after he led the SEC with 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last year, but no.
How about Jadeveon Clowney? He’s a freak, but think again.
Time’s up!
Both were solid guesses, but both are staring up at the new kid on the SEC block -- Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore.
[+] Enlarge
Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesDamontre Moore has spent a lot of time in the offensive backfield this season.
Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesDamontre Moore has spent a lot of time in the offensive backfield this season.Jones’ impressive 2011 debut might be a blip on the radar compared to what Moore could do in the next month.
“He’s definitely come a long way,” defensive line coach Terry Price said.
“He’s really turned his game up and accepted the challenges that are put in front of him to be the hardest playing defensive end in the country.”
He was a star in the Big 12 last year with his 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, but his numbers masked a glaring issue that his new coaches immediately noticed on film.
They saw a primo athlete who was also very sluggish at times. When he was on, he was dominant, but he was only registering around 30 or 40 plays a game. When Kevin Sumlin took over at A&M, he realized that if Moore was going to succeed in the line-driven SEC, he had to get into better shape.
Sumlin’s extra workout sessions with strength coach Larry Jackson pushed spring practice back two weeks. It was something that irked Moore, who was antsy without his pads this spring, but as he prepares for his 10th game of the season, he looks back at the grueling punishment his body took and is thankful for the extra work.
“Those two weeks helped me build up my conditioning,” Moore said.
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Moore is basically a new man. He’s physically and mentally tougher and his endurance has cranked his motor up to a level he didn’t have in 2011. He’s gone from taking himself out of games to taking wide receivers down from behind -- in a dead sprint.
That extra conditioning has also helped him adapted better up front. Having to constantly throw one’s body into someone with more than 60 pounds on him each play can take a toll on someone’s stamina, especially when you aren’t used to so much contact.
But with Moore’s one-track mind, he’s too obsessed with hammering quarterbacks to worry about being out-muscled. Quarterbacks have something he wants -- the football – and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to either get it, or make them feel sorry for ever deciding to take it.
“It’s like a horse when you put on their blinders when they’re about to race,” Moore said. “They only see that one thing in front of them and that’s how I feel. I see that one thing in front of me and I lock in on it and I hone in on it and I go get it.”
Moore might be regularly terrorizing opposing backfields, but he’s still managed to stay in the shadows of Jones and Clowney. League seniority will do that, but it doesn’t bother Moore.
He isn’t offended. He’s motivated.
Moore understands he still has a lot to prove and he knows he has a great opportunity to earn more respect against the nation’s top offensive this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Alabama features two future first-rounders in Cyrus Kouandjio and D.J. Fluker who will make Moore work for everything, and try to wear him out of 60 or 80 plays.
Moore relishes the opportunity. He’s bested most who have stood before him, and while he isn’t favored Saturday, he likes his odds.
“I don’t mind being the underdog,” he said. “I love proving people wrong.
“I like it when people say, ‘You can’t do that.’ That way, when I go in there I have that motivation, that drive, that will and that want-to just to prove that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
“If you tell me I can’t do it, then I’m going to go do it.”
Some might be surprised by Texas A&M's success this season. Rockwall (Texas) Heath defensive end Jay Arnold isn't one of those people.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound four-star defensive end, who committed to the Aggies back in April, has been telling people what he expected from his future school and so far, the Aggies are making him look smart to his peers.
As for his own team, Arnold's Hawks are 4-4 overall and looking for wins in their last two games to secure a playoff berth. GigEmNation recently caught up with Arnold to get his thoughts on his season and what the Aggies have done.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound four-star defensive end, who committed to the Aggies back in April, has been telling people what he expected from his future school and so far, the Aggies are making him look smart to his peers.
As for his own team, Arnold's Hawks are 4-4 overall and looking for wins in their last two games to secure a playoff berth. GigEmNation recently caught up with Arnold to get his thoughts on his season and what the Aggies have done.
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DT Justin Manning: Texas A&M 'a good fit'
October, 1, 2012
10/01/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Dallas Kimball defensive tackle Justin Manning wanted to get a better feel for Texas A&M on his official visit to the campus over the weekend. On Sunday night, after returning home from College Station, Texas, the ESPN 150 member and nation's eighth-ranked defensive tackle said he was able to do just that.
"I tried to get a good feel as much as possible," Manning said. "From the time I stepped on campus I was paying close attention to everything."
Overall, Manning came away with positive takeaways from his visit to Aggieland.
"I tried to get a good feel as much as possible," Manning said. "From the time I stepped on campus I was paying close attention to everything."
Overall, Manning came away with positive takeaways from his visit to Aggieland.
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No sacks, but DE makes presence felt
September, 30, 2012
9/30/12
12:30
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- For the first time this season, Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore did not have a sack in a game.
In the Aggies' 58-10 win over Arkansas on Saturday, the junior came close, but wasn't able to register a successful takedown of quarterback Tyler Wilson before Wilson released a pass.
When it was time for Moore to come out of the game for good, he was well aware that it hadn't happened. But given the win, he was OK with it.
"When the coaches took us out, I was a little sad because I was so close," Moore said. "When I thought about it when [the coaches] took me out, I thought 'Oh, I didn't get my sack today.' But at the same time I think it plays a factor into the maturity thing."
Moore's maturity and growth has been a focus this season for himself, hammered home by coach Kevin Sumlin and Moore's defensive coaches, coordinator Mark Snyder and defensive line coach Terry Price. After referencing the maturity, Moore uttered a phrase you might not hear often from a defensive end.
"I don't care about the sacks," he said. "The coaches put me in the best position as possible and me doing my scheme and other players doing what they do, it allows me to get one-on-one matchups or free releases to get a sack. I'm happy that I get them, but at the same time, I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about 'What can I do?'
"If I do my assignment right and I hold up this tight end or splatter a tackle...and free up one of my guys and they get a [tackle for loss] or they get a sack, I'm just as happy because it's not about me, it's about the team."
Despite not getting a sack, Moore still made his presence felt in the backfield on Saturday. He added 2.5 tackles for loss, giving him 10.5 for the year, and made perhaps the play that helped put the Razorbacks away for good in the third quarter. After getting into the backfield and blowing right by Arkansas running back Knile Davis, whiffing on a tackle, Moore turned around, chased Davis down and punched the ball out to force a fumble, which was picked up by Aggie teammate Tramain Jacobs and returned 28 yards for a touchdown. That gave A&M a 44-10 lead with 7:06 to go in the third quarter.
"It happened so fast," Moore said. "I got back there and thought I should have had the TFL but I let him slip out and he bounced out to the right. I was so determined, since I missed that tackle, that I needed to go back and make something happened and be a difference maker."
In the Aggies' 58-10 win over Arkansas on Saturday, the junior came close, but wasn't able to register a successful takedown of quarterback Tyler Wilson before Wilson released a pass.
[+] Enlarge
Thomas Campbell/US PRESSWIRETexas A&M's Damontre Moore knows there are other ways to make an impact on defensive besides sacking the quarterback.
Thomas Campbell/US PRESSWIRETexas A&M's Damontre Moore knows there are other ways to make an impact on defensive besides sacking the quarterback."When the coaches took us out, I was a little sad because I was so close," Moore said. "When I thought about it when [the coaches] took me out, I thought 'Oh, I didn't get my sack today.' But at the same time I think it plays a factor into the maturity thing."
Moore's maturity and growth has been a focus this season for himself, hammered home by coach Kevin Sumlin and Moore's defensive coaches, coordinator Mark Snyder and defensive line coach Terry Price. After referencing the maturity, Moore uttered a phrase you might not hear often from a defensive end.
"I don't care about the sacks," he said. "The coaches put me in the best position as possible and me doing my scheme and other players doing what they do, it allows me to get one-on-one matchups or free releases to get a sack. I'm happy that I get them, but at the same time, I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about 'What can I do?'
"If I do my assignment right and I hold up this tight end or splatter a tackle...and free up one of my guys and they get a [tackle for loss] or they get a sack, I'm just as happy because it's not about me, it's about the team."
Despite not getting a sack, Moore still made his presence felt in the backfield on Saturday. He added 2.5 tackles for loss, giving him 10.5 for the year, and made perhaps the play that helped put the Razorbacks away for good in the third quarter. After getting into the backfield and blowing right by Arkansas running back Knile Davis, whiffing on a tackle, Moore turned around, chased Davis down and punched the ball out to force a fumble, which was picked up by Aggie teammate Tramain Jacobs and returned 28 yards for a touchdown. That gave A&M a 44-10 lead with 7:06 to go in the third quarter.
"It happened so fast," Moore said. "I got back there and thought I should have had the TFL but I let him slip out and he bounced out to the right. I was so determined, since I missed that tackle, that I needed to go back and make something happened and be a difference maker."
Practice notes: Depth developing on D-line
August, 15, 2012
8/15/12
9:50
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Junior defensive end Damontre Moore is one of Texas A&M's best pass-rushers and showed that last year by recording 8.5 sacks, second on the team. That ability was also readily apparent on Saturday during the Aggies' first full, open scrimmage of fall training camp.
But it's not just all about sacks for the 6-foot-4, 250-pound veteran. Coach Kevin Sumlin said that while he enjoys the production Moore brings, he wants to see improvement in other areas.
"He is a guy that has made big plays," Sumlin said. "I think the problem with him is kind of a feast or famine deal, that he's made big plays but has showed the ability to hurt the football team with contain issues, jumping offsides, hasn't been able to stay (up) ... you look out there and he's flopping around on the ground. So he's a guy that we've got to corral. He's got to understand his role and become an every-down player that's consistent and not just (having) a great play and then we don't see you, and then a maybe a penalty."
But it's not just all about sacks for the 6-foot-4, 250-pound veteran. Coach Kevin Sumlin said that while he enjoys the production Moore brings, he wants to see improvement in other areas.
"He is a guy that has made big plays," Sumlin said. "I think the problem with him is kind of a feast or famine deal, that he's made big plays but has showed the ability to hurt the football team with contain issues, jumping offsides, hasn't been able to stay (up) ... you look out there and he's flopping around on the ground. So he's a guy that we've got to corral. He's got to understand his role and become an every-down player that's consistent and not just (having) a great play and then we don't see you, and then a maybe a penalty."
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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.