Major facilities changes on the way?

I was doing some research last night and came across a Request for Proposal (RFP) submitted by the Texas A&M Athletics Department for the development of a “comprehensive Athletics Facilities Master Plan.”

“The purpose of this plan is to provide a strategic framework for the development and enhancement of athletic facilities, aligning with the University’s goals for excellence in athletics, academics, and community
engagement. The plan shall address current conditions, future needs, campus connectivity, and opportunities for district-level improvements,” the RFP reads.

The Athletics Facilities Master Plan shall meet the following objectives:

• Evaluate existing athletic facilities for compliance with program needs and industry standards.
• Identify opportunities for renovation, expansion, and new construction to support athletics, campus connectivity, and year-round use.
• Develop a strategic land use plan facilitating connections between facilities and supporting activation beyond game day.
• Recommend facility improvements and potential new projects based on program needs, priorities, and long-term athletics goals.
• Integrate recommendations with the University’s broader campus and master planning efforts.

(Bold mine)

It is interesting to note the “facilitating connections between facilities”, because let’s face it, the options getting to Kyle Field on a regular gameday are not very good. But I doubt that’s the primary deal here. This is going to be a multi-year, likely very expensive, evaluation of A&M’s existing facilities, what falls short and what needs outright replacement.

Kyle Field will always be modernized. That is now a given. Blue Bell Park already has renovations underway. Track has a new facility. Renovations have started at Davis Diamond and just finished at Ellis Field. So what could be on this list? Here are a few guesses:

• Continued renovations at Blue Bell
• Possible replacement of Ellis
• An indoor tennis facility
• A major renovation or outright replacement of Reed Arena

The bottom two seem, to me, to be the most important.

Craver remains a question

Wideout Mario Craver remains listed as questionable for tomorrow morning’s game at Missouri — at least, as of last night. Since they’re on the road, we really haven’t gotten an update on his status and probably won’t until tonight. But here’s what I’ve heard and am guessing is right: his ankle is still bothering him considerably and, while I think he’ll give it a go, I don’t know how effective he’ll be. So we could see more of TK Norman and Kelshaun Johnson tomorrow, with Aaron Gregory backing up at both outside receiver spots.

TWO ’27S Still on A&M’s radar

While the Aggies have largely moved their focus to 2028 recruiting, there are still at least two players out there they’d like to add to their top-ranked 2027 class. One has been discussed; the other is new.

The new one is DL Jeremiah Mark of Picayune, Miss. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Mark has had his recruitment explode since the season started. Mark is also a basketball player, so his quickness and footwork have helped him gain attention.

He already took a unofficial visit to Ole Miss and will take one to Alabama tomorrow, but he was in Aggieland this past weekend for the beatdown of Arkansas. The Aggies made a strong impression, and it looks like the three teams he’s visited already will be the primary candidates to land him.

The other target is CB Za’kari Johnson, currently committed to FSU. The Aggies have expended considerable effort in trying to get Johnson to flip, but he hasn’t yet. Miami has also gotten involved of late, so it’s now a three horse race. I think, right now, that he’ll stay put with FSU — but let’s revisit things in a month.

WHat’s up with Tamarion Watkins?

The freshman linebacker got off to a pretty solid start to the season, then appeared on the availability report as “OUT” last Thursday night. At the time, I figured it had to be an injury, but if it was, he must’ve recovered because he’s not on the injury report this week.

Coach Elko, ever cryptic, just said “he should be fine” when asked about him on Monday. So, whatever the reason for Watkins being unavailable last week, he is available this week.

Could the offensive line reshuffle again in 2027?

There’s a real chance of it, but it depends on the decisions of a couple of players.

First, let’s go with the things we know for sure: Mark Nabou will be gone. Tyree Adams will still have eligibility, as will Trovon Baugh and Wilkin Formby if they want to use their fifth season (which they can now do). Lamont Rogers is now installed at right tackle and barring a change, he’ll be there again next year.

If Adams returns, he will start again. If he leaves, Zaden Krempin and Mark Matthews will likely get a shot at replacing him. At left guard, the competition could be between Blake Ivy and Robbie Bourdon. Coen Echols has been the backup center all year and looks like he’ll remain there. Tyler Thomas will probably be the guy who replaces Formby should he leave.

The addition of the fifth year adds considerable questions for a lot of players next year. I’ll list some guys with decisions to make next.

Players who now have a fifth year (should they want it) besides Baugh and formby

RB Rueben Owens

Safeties Marcus Ratcliffe, Tawfiq Byard and Dalton Brooks

CB Rickey Gibson

DT DJ Hicks

Nickel Jordan Shaw

DE Sam M’Pemba

DE T.J. Searcy

Nickel Bravion Rogers

LB Ray Coney

LB Daymion Sanford

TE Richie Anderson

That’s 13 players and, at this point, I wouldn’t advise any of them to pass up the shot at another season.

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