Texas A&M Aggies: LSU Tigers
Get ESPN 150 safety Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron) in any competitive environment and you’ll begin to understand very quickly why he’s so coveted.
Take for example the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp in Allen, Texas, on April 7 when he set the tone in 1-on-1 drills by shoving a wide receiver three yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
Adams, the No. 23 player overall and No. 3 safety, isn’t naming any favorites. But we caught up with him to get a sense for where he stands with a few of the programs generally thought to be in the mix.
Take for example the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp in Allen, Texas, on April 7 when he set the tone in 1-on-1 drills by shoving a wide receiver three yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
Adams, the No. 23 player overall and No. 3 safety, isn’t naming any favorites. But we caught up with him to get a sense for where he stands with a few of the programs generally thought to be in the mix.
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OLs from SEC could thrive at combine
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
11:27
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Matthew Visinsky/Icon SMILuke Joeckel could be the top offensive lineman selected in the NFL draft -- or first overall.Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites will look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins Friday in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Today: Offensive linemen.
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M could have sent two tackles into the draft and both would have probably ended up as first-round picks. Luke Joeckel chose to declare, but Jake Matthews chose to return to Aggieland for another year. Joeckel, the Outland Trophy winner this year, will be rewarded as a possible top-five selection -- and possibly No.1 overall.
2014 S Bonney talks offers, junior days 
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
3:15
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
The fall was quite busy for 2014 safety John Bonney (Houston/Lamar), who was part of a long, prosperous playoff run with his Redskins teammates all the way to the Texas Class 5A Division I state championship game.
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No. 1 sophomore Stone talks offer list
January, 11, 2013
Jan 11
1:09
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By
Reggie Rankin | ESPN.com
MILWAUKEE -- Sophomore center Diamond Stone (Milwaukee/Dominican), the No. 1-ranked prospect in the ESPN 25, and his father, Bob, sat down Thursday evening to discuss how Stone's game is progressing and where they are in the recruiting process.
Not surprisingly for the top player nationally in his class, Stone has an elite offer list a mile long but has a plan and is executing it to perfection.
Not surprisingly for the top player nationally in his class, Stone has an elite offer list a mile long but has a plan and is executing it to perfection.
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This is a special time for the Houston Lamar Redskins. They're making history as the first Houston ISD team to make a Texas Class 5A state championship game in 20 years. The last team to do it was Houston Yates in 1992.
And the Redskins ar doing it with defense.
Leading the way are two SMU commits, defensive end Zelt Minor and cornerback Cedric Lancaster, and rising 2014 prospect John Bonney, a safety. They'll lead the Redskins into a battle with Allen (Texas) High School for the Class 5A Division I championship Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
And the Redskins ar doing it with defense.
Leading the way are two SMU commits, defensive end Zelt Minor and cornerback Cedric Lancaster, and rising 2014 prospect John Bonney, a safety. They'll lead the Redskins into a battle with Allen (Texas) High School for the Class 5A Division I championship Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
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Aggies' wave of momentum continues
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
LA PORTE, Texas -- What a busy week it has been for the Texas A&M coaching staff.
In the span of seven days, the Aggies have accepted three commitments, all from highly-touted players. On Dec. 6 it was ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning who pledged. On Monday, the nation's No. 1 athlete and the top player in Texas, Ricky Seals-Jones, jumped on board. On Wednesday, ESPN Watch List outside linebacker Hoza Scott joined the fray, adding strength to the Aggies' 2014 class.
Since the Aggies' season ended on Nov. 24, the hits have just kept on coming. Nick Harvey on Nov. 26. Cameron Clear on Nov. 27. Shaun Nixon on Nov. 29. Ja'Quay Williams on Dec. 2. It seems like every week, or sometimes every couple of days, the Aggies are landing a new prospect.
In the span of seven days, the Aggies have accepted three commitments, all from highly-touted players. On Dec. 6 it was ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning who pledged. On Monday, the nation's No. 1 athlete and the top player in Texas, Ricky Seals-Jones, jumped on board. On Wednesday, ESPN Watch List outside linebacker Hoza Scott joined the fray, adding strength to the Aggies' 2014 class.
Since the Aggies' season ended on Nov. 24, the hits have just kept on coming. Nick Harvey on Nov. 26. Cameron Clear on Nov. 27. Shaun Nixon on Nov. 29. Ja'Quay Williams on Dec. 2. It seems like every week, or sometimes every couple of days, the Aggies are landing a new prospect.
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Aggies land Watch List LB Hoza Scott
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
2:37
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
LA PORTE, Texas -- La Porte (Texas) High School linebacker Hoza Scott hasn't been secretive about the school he likes the most and where his future lies. From the moment he stepped onto the Texas A&M campus in July for the Texas state 7-on-7 championships wearing an A&M snapback, the Aggies were the team to beat. He has been all but committed to Texas A&M for some time now.
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Sam Khan Jr./ESPN.comClass of 2014 linebacker Hoza Scott feels comfortable at Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect is one of the most coveted 2014 prospects in Texas. In addition to Texas A&M, he held offers from Alabama, LSU and Texas. The Longhorns were his No. 2 with LSU as his No. 3 since this summer and that hasn't changed.
The letters come to La Porte's field house in droves and Scott now leaves every couple of days with shoeboxes full of letters from schools across the country, but his heart has been set on Texas A&M for awhile.
Recruited by Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney, Scott said he loves the atmosphere in College Station, Texas.
"They have the best community ever out there," he said after La Porte's season finale, a playoff loss to Katy (Texas) High School on Dec. 1. "And when I walk around there, everybody around there knows me. They say, 'Hey Hoza,' this and that. It makes me feel good. And it's close to home."
Scott, whose first name is pronounced like "Jose," said his relationship with McKinney was also a big reason for his comfort level. McKinney made an impression this season when showed up in a maroon helicopter, just the way McKinney and head coach Kevin Sumlin did for Ricky Seals-Jones, to watch Scott play against Houston North Shore on Nov. 2.
"[My relationship with him] has meant a lot," Scott said. "He's a real cool guy, he's chill, he knows how to make you laugh. He's just cool to be around."
Scott is the fifth commitment in the 2014 class for the Aggies, joining Cedric Collins, Nick Harvey, Shaun Nixon and Josh Walker. Scott is the fourth ESPN Watch List member to commit to the Aggies.
He projects as an outside linebacker but said that the Aggies are open to the possibility of playing him inside linebacker.
Seals-Jones, family feel recruiting relief
December, 11, 2012
12/11/12
5:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
SEALY, Texas -- There were times when it all became a little overwhelming for ESPN 150 athlete Ricky Seals-Jones.
The nation's No. 1-rated athlete in the ESPN 150 and the top prospect in Texas, the Sealy High School star dealt with the things that come to many heavily recruited, highly touted prospects: countless phone calls, messages on Facebook and Twitter, visits to schools or visits from coaches to his high school campus or home.
He actually liked those high school visits.
The nation's No. 1-rated athlete in the ESPN 150 and the top prospect in Texas, the Sealy High School star dealt with the things that come to many heavily recruited, highly touted prospects: countless phone calls, messages on Facebook and Twitter, visits to schools or visits from coaches to his high school campus or home.
He actually liked those high school visits.
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Ricky Seals-Jones recruiting timeline
December, 11, 2012
12/11/12
4:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
It has been a long, winding recruiting road for ESPN 150 athlete and new Texas A&M commitment Ricky Seals-Jones. Here's a glance at how his recruitment developed from the day he originally committed to Texas through Monday's commitment to Texas A&M and what follows:
Feb. 22: Ricky Seals-Jones verbally commits to Texas. He attended the Longhorns' junior day on Feb. 12.
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HOUSTON -- Pearland (Texas) Dawson receiver Tony Upchurch enjoyed a productive 2012 season. And he has some top programs, such as LSU, Texas A&M and Texas keeping a close eye on him.
Playing myriad roles for Dawson, the No. 1 Class 4A team in the state that saw its season cut short early with a 22-19 loss to Nederland (Texas) High School in the third round of the Texas state playoffs, Upchurch was a true weapon as a junior for the Eagles.
In addition to the receiver spot, where he recorded 1,006 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 46 receptions, Upchurch lined up in the backfield as a running back and returned kickoffs for Dawson.
Playing myriad roles for Dawson, the No. 1 Class 4A team in the state that saw its season cut short early with a 22-19 loss to Nederland (Texas) High School in the third round of the Texas state playoffs, Upchurch was a true weapon as a junior for the Eagles.
In addition to the receiver spot, where he recorded 1,006 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 46 receptions, Upchurch lined up in the backfield as a running back and returned kickoffs for Dawson.
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Ricky Seals-Jones sets Texas A&M official
December, 3, 2012
12/03/12
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 athlete Ricky Seals-Jones took the months of October and November to take unofficial visits to LSU and Texas A&M, but last week, the schools came to him as the in-home visit period began.
First was LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey on Nov. 26, then Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney followed three days later in making the trip to Sealy, Texas.
Both visits went well, according to Seals-Jones, and were similar.
First was LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey on Nov. 26, then Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney followed three days later in making the trip to Sealy, Texas.
Both visits went well, according to Seals-Jones, and were similar.
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TAMU, LSU visit ESPN 150 Seals-Jones
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
12:23
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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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Special time for new commit Nick Harvey
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
11:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
This is a pretty special time in the life of Lancaster (Texas) High School athlete Nick Harvey.
He's having a blast on the football field, winning with his teammates as they navigate the Texas Class 4A playoffs. The Tigers are in the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2000.
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Texas A&M's final regular-season weekend brought several visitors, official and unofficial, including an unofficial visit from the nation's No. 1 athlete, ESPN 150 prospect Ricky Seals-Jones.
It was the second Texas A&M game in as many months that the Sealy (Texas) High School athlete has attended. He had the chance to meet with the coaches before the game, including coach Kevin Sumlin and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Clarence McKinney. He also got to interact with the Texas A&M players after their 59-29 win over Missouri and his father, Chester Jones, said the players were talking the Aggies up to Seals-Jones.
"They were talking to him [Saturday] night pretty good," Jones said. "They were telling him 'What are you waiting on? You need to come on down here and get on this team and be a part of this.' It was a good deal. We had fun."
It was the second Texas A&M game in as many months that the Sealy (Texas) High School athlete has attended. He had the chance to meet with the coaches before the game, including coach Kevin Sumlin and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Clarence McKinney. He also got to interact with the Texas A&M players after their 59-29 win over Missouri and his father, Chester Jones, said the players were talking the Aggies up to Seals-Jones.
"They were talking to him [Saturday] night pretty good," Jones said. "They were telling him 'What are you waiting on? You need to come on down here and get on this team and be a part of this.' It was a good deal. We had fun."
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Ricky Seals-Jones planning official visits
November, 19, 2012
11/19/12
6:01
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
SEALY, Texas -- Ricky Seals-Jones never thought the last time he'd walk off the gridiron as a high school football player would be this soon.
Seals-Jones and his Sealy (Texas) High School teammates had high hopes for the 2012 season, visions of a state championship for a program known for them, having won four before.
Injuries marred Seals-Jones' and the Tigers' season and things didn't go as they planned, as the Tigers missed the postseason after dropping their regular season finale to rival Bellville (Texas) High School on Nov. 9. But on Monday morning he got quite the pick-me-up, as he was given his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey during a ceremony at his high school.
Seals-Jones and his Sealy (Texas) High School teammates had high hopes for the 2012 season, visions of a state championship for a program known for them, having won four before.
Injuries marred Seals-Jones' and the Tigers' season and things didn't go as they planned, as the Tigers missed the postseason after dropping their regular season finale to rival Bellville (Texas) High School on Nov. 9. But on Monday morning he got quite the pick-me-up, as he was given his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey during a ceremony at his high school.
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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.