Here’s your Latest dose of TTFT, sponsored by Brent Campbell:

1. I saw a post on social media today that ranked Mario Craver as the top returning wide receiver in the SEC and, after thinking about things, I think they’re right. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch last year and, when he was healthy, he was pretty much unstoppable. He and Marcel Reed have an obvious connection, and they showed it again in the spring game. But I think he’ll consistently be overlooked because he’s a slot receiver and isn’t at a “glamor” program. 

2. I am also increasingly convinced that A&M has the best receiver corps in the SEC. People may not realize it yet, but A&M could probably go six deep and still operate at an extremely high level. We know about Craver; Ashton Bethel-Roman will probably be better in his first full year as a starter. Isaiah Horton has impressed everyone all spring and looked really good in the spring game. Then you have Terry Bussey and freshman Aaron Gregory, who are sure things to play. Jerome Myles could be a weapon if he can stay healthy. Add in Madden Williams, Jayden Warren, Kelshaun Johnson and TK Norman and there are a ton of options at receiver.. They’re deep and they’re good.

3. Three offensive linemen to track: Lamont Rogers, Robbie Bourdon and Tyler Thomas. Bourdon played a decent amount last year and the coaches are looking for ways to get him in the lineup, so he’s been playing left guard lately. I think he could be a real threat to take that job. Rogers has played himself into a position where he’s competing with Tyree Adams for the starting left tackle job this summer. Thomas, one of the most overlooked players in last year’s class, has probably played himself into the two deep at right guard.

4. I don’t think A&M’s starting five on the offensive line will be as good as it was last year, but I do think that they’ll be able to withstand injuries better. When you have guys like Bourdon, Coen Echols, Blake Ivy, Thomas and Rogers, then you can put together a very solid two deep across the board.

5. I’ve said this a few times, but I don’t think Noah Mikhail will disappoint if he becomes a starter due to the injury to Daymion Sanford. I think Mikhail is going to be really good. I’m more concerned about new arrival Ray Coney, simply because he’s still learning the defense. Maybe Mikhail takes over as the play caller, I don’t know, but they need Coney to really step it up.

6. If a freshman does move into the two deep at linebacker, my early money would go on Tank King. King looks like he’s the most ready physically and played well on Saturday. I really liked what I saw from Tamarion Watkins, but he’s still pretty light and he’s learning a new position.

7. The transfer portal is now closed for college basketball, and I think the losses A&M endured can be described, for the moment, as meh. Pop Isaacs was always going to go where he could get a better deal and, while he can put up points when he’s hot, also takes a lot of bad shots and was not a good point guard. Josh Holloway is a loss because you could count on him to play a respectable point guard, but there are similar or superior options available. Marcus Hill may not have started next year, depending on what they bring in. Reuben Dominguez just couldn’t get the ball off fast enough against SEC defenses and his averages cratered after conference play began. Really, these guys should all be remembered fondly for helping the Aggies pull a remarkable run to the NCAA Tournament, but I’m more excited to see what Bucky McMillan and company can do with the extra scholarships to work with.

8. So what do the Aggies still need out of the portal? They’ve got some shooters and a defensive presence who can really crash the offensive glass (when healthy). They still need a really BIG big man and a couple of point guards. Another shooter wouldn’t be bad either.

9. It looks like A&M’s offensive line recruiting could be breathtakingly good for 2027. They already have tackles Kaeden Scott and Demarion Johnson committed, but their haul could end up with several potential 5-stars. Kennedy Brown appears to be nearing a decision and the smart money there goes with A&M. The Aggies seem to be running neck-and-neck with Miami for Mark Matthews, the number one tackle in the nation, and lead for the nation’s top guard, Albert Simien. If that’s not enough, how about having the lead for 5-star tackle Oluwasemilore Olubobola and 4-star tackle Jackson Roper? The 2010 class saw the Aggies pick up Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews, Cedric Ogbuehi and Jarvis Harrison. That’s the gold standard for offensive line recruiting at A&M and maybe anywhere. If A&M pulls all of these guys, it may well top 2010.

10. The Aggie volleyball team visited the White House today and were honored by President Trump. I don’t care what your politics are or who’s in office, that has to be a tremendous, awe-inspiring feeling. To be in a place where there’s so much history and the most powerful man in the world is mentioning you by name and praising your work? That’s quite a memory.

Our Sponsor

Sponsored by Brent Campbell, Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1998. Brent is a Commercial Real Estate Broker, serving all of Central Texas and specializing in sales, leasing & development. He leads a retail acquisition and sales team and was recognized by the Austin Business Journal as a Commercial Real Estate Heavy Hitter in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2023.

In the last 22 years, he has closed deals with a total transactional value of over $375 million and has leased more than 4.5 million square feet. Brent currently serves as the president of the board of directors for Habitat Homes, Inc. and Pathways Youth and Family Services. He is a former president of the Heart of Round Rock Neighborhood Association and a former member of the Round Rock Zoning Advisory Committee, the Round Rock Business and Retention Committee, and the City of Round Rock Ethics Commission, which has led him to begin developing in Williamson and Travis County.

An Austin native, Brent lives in Round Rock where he and his wife have raised four boys. Brent works for Don Quick and Associates, Inc. in Round Rock, TX and can be reached at brent@donquick.com.