Aggies hosting ridiculous number of 5-stars Saturday

The Aggies may be off to a relatively awful start, but you haven’t heard much about potential movement in the 2027 recruiting class. I think a lot of that has to do with NIL deals, but all the same, they’re sticking. In fact, a lot of them will return to Aggieland tomorrow night.

2027 commits

Hampton (Ga.) 5-star S Kamarui Dorsey

Miami St. Thomas Aquinas 5-star OL Mark Matthews

Kingwood 5-star OL Kennedy Brown

Tampa Jesuit 5-star LB Kaden Henderson

Baltimore St. Frances Academy 5-star CB Raylaun Henry

Savannah (Ga.) Lowndes 4-star QB Jayce Johnson

San Antonio Roosevelt 4-star OL Demarrion Johnson

Leesburg (Ga.) 4-star WR Jaden Upshaw

Hampton (Ga.) 4-star DT Elijah Patmon

Inglewood (Calif.) 4-star DT Myels Smith

Cy-Falls 4-star DE Kaden McCarty

Tyler Legacy 4-star OL Demarrion Johnson

Orlando Jones 4-star DE Frederick Ards III

San Antonio Brandeis 4-star ATH Hakim Frampton

Waxahachie 4-star S JayQuan Snell

San Antonio Roosevelt 4-star OL Kaeden Scott

The return of Ards is a big one, as he was in Gainesville for Florida’s win over Ole Miss last weekend. Even though the Florida staff really tried to get after him, Ards has indicated he’s solid. Miami continues to go after Matthews, but so far has gotten nowhere. Notre Dame and Miami are after Henderson, but he also seems to be solid.

2027 recruits

Cincinnati Princeton 3-star RB Jordan Hall

2028 commits

Detroit Cass Tech 5-star QB Donald Tabron II

2028 recruits

Thomasville (Ga.) Thomas County 5-star DT Prince Che

Louisville (Kent.) Christian Academy 5-star DE Kellan Hall

Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern 5-star S Casey Barner

Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day 5-star WR Braylon Clark

Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton 5-star CB Keaton Fields

Glassboro (N.J.) 4-star WR Mekhi Parker

Chandler (Ariz.) Basha 5-star DL Landen Wade

Cornelius (N.C.) 4-star LB Ryan Peterson

Allen 4-star G/C Maxx Jones

Las Vegas Bishop Gorman 3-star G/C Jamaree Turner

Gautier (Miss.) RB Latrell Pogue

Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) 4-star TE Jaylin Smalls

Carthage 3-star WR JD Edwards

Cache (Okla.) 3-star WR Kenyon Sweat

Texarkana Pleasant Grove 4-star LB Ke’Drid Smith

Baltimore St. Frances Academy 4-star DE Jermaine Smith Jr.

Willis LB Nazeree Guy

Hudson (Fla.) 3-star LB Chris Morillo

Killeen Ellison S Demetrius Perry Jr.

Dallas Lake Highlands 4-star LB Israel Samuel

Long Beach (Calif.) Poly 4-star ATH Zion Anderson

Daingerfield ATH Tyler Boyd

Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek 4-star CB Nathan Holston

Katy 4-star CB David Olotu-Judah

Greensboro (N.C.) Page CB Zion Malloy

Having six 5-stars in, along with some very good 4-stars, is a nice bit of work. Che is a monster at more than 300 pounds already and is ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country. A&M has worked quickly with him and I think they have a really good shot at landing him.

Hall has been targeted by everyone and this will be his second unofficial visit, at least, to Aggieland. But it has to be a good one because in-state Kentucky seems to have momentum with him. 

Injury update

Ashton Bethel-Roman and Jamarion Morrow are both recovered well enough from their injuries to play. I get the sense that practices got a little rougher this week and they felt like they needed to be out there — and, of course, they felt better. So ABR will start in his regular spot and Morrow will probably split carries with KJ Edwards behind Rueben Owens. Tamarion Watkins, though, suffered an injury either Tuesday night or Wednesday and was immediately ruled out, which is not a good sign. With Watkins out, Tank King is probably the next linebacker up right now. The Aggies will likely roll with Ray Coney, Daymion Sanford and Noah Mikhail as much as possible, with Jordan Lockhart behind them. Then it would be King.

Basketball bits

The Aggies have been looking for someone to man the point as they reassemble for the 2026-27 season. While LSU transfer Jalen Reece looks like he’ll have the primary responsibility, McNeese transfer Tyshawn Archie also has some experience as a distributor. But coach Bucky McMillan has floated another idea — LMU transfer Jalen Shelley. Why’s that interesting? He’s 6-foot-9.

“And he can play point guard. He can play a four,” McMillan said of Shelley, who has also had a strong offseason improving his shooting. “He’s dealing with a little small injury right now, but he’s been pretty dang good.”

McMillan said the Aggies will continue to largely play four men on the perimeter, which would make it easier for Shelley to distribute. Shelley hasn’t gotten as much attention as some of the other transfers, but McMillan made it clear he’s going to play a lot.

Baseball bits

Remember when the Aggies said ace Aiden Sims had “tightness” in his arm and they’d probably have him back for the regional? That ended up being a big BZZT. How big — he’s not facing live hitting this fall. Coach Michael Early said today that Sims is not to that point in his recovery process. Right now, he’s not even to the point where he’s throwing bullpens. Still, he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Lefty Caden McCoy, who had Tommy John surgery last year, is about to start throwing. He’s eight months out from surgery, so the start of the season is possible for him as well. McCoy could be a factor in the rotation or at the back end of the bullpen, as he notched a pair of saves in 2025.

Righthander David Ramirez, who didn’t pitch at all in what would have been his true freshman season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, is still a few weeks away from starting to throw. 

Righty Clayton Freshcorn, who will likely become the Friday night starter this spring after being an All-SEC closer this past year, is preparing like he’s a starter. He’s gained 10 pounds of muscle and has added two pitches to his mix. Pitching coach Barry Enright said they’ve also worked on a few mechanical issues that have allowed him to pick up a couple more miles per hour on his fastball.

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