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The answer is probably not. Let’s take a look at every member of the class and see where things stand with 46 days left until signing day:

One of the big targets is 5-star OT Mark Matthews. Matthews has been a major target for Miami and, earlier this week he made a passing comment that he “might” go to the Miami-FSU game this weekend. That, of course, would not be optimal. The “might” sent Hurricane social media into a frenzy, but things on this end remained pretty calm. In fact, A&M expects him to be back in College Station this weekend for the game against The Citadel. If you’re coming for that game, you’re still solid, in my opinion. He’s also got a very strong relationship with OL coach Adam Cushing. I expect Miami will try everything in their power to flip Matthews, as a 5-star local product (in their mind) should go there. They’re also one of the few schools that can hang with A&M NIL-wise. But Matthews said last month he’s 1000% committed to the Aggies and, while he’s still listening to Miami, you’d much rather be in A&M’s position, even if he does go to Miami this weekend — though I grant it would be reason for concern to ratchet up.

And A&M does have a history of coming into Miami and pulling a 5-star — see Shemar Stewart.

5-star OL Kennedy Brown of Kingwood has been solidly committed since he made his decision. No change there.

5-star S Kamauri Dorsey has visited Aggieland frequently and has shown no interest in looking elsewhere.

5-star DE Zyron Forstall transferred to Houston C.E. King from IMG Academy. He’s from New Orleans. I don’t think it’s coincidental that he’s suddenly in H-Town.

5-star LB Kaden Henderson has been targeted by both Miami and Notre Dame, but the Tampa Jesuit product, to this point, has not visited either while returning to A&M several times.

4-star WRs Eric McFarland (IMG) and Jaden Upshaw (Leesburg, Ga.) remain solid and have not taken any visits elsewhere.

4-star DE Frederick Ards III may be the player to watch closest. He went to watch the Florida-Ole Miss game in Gainesville a couple of weeks ago, but the buzz behind that died pretty quickly. I’d say you could put him in the “mildly concerned” category.

4-star LB Aston Whiteside may be the player to watch most closely right now. He is expected to be at the Miami-FSU game and has admitted he’s very interested in the Hurricanes. Jay Bateman and Kentucky are also after him. So yeah, you can be concerned about him if you want.

4-star CB Raylaun Henry, one of the earliest Aggie commits in this class, has never budged. Alabama, which has had success pulling players from Baltimore Saint Frances in the past, tried and got nowhere.

4-star S Jayquan Snell of Waxahachie is also firmly committed. Right now, Dorsey and Snell are rated the #1 and #2 safeties in America.

4-star OL DeMarrion Johnson of Tyler Legacy and 4-star DE Kaden McCarty were both targeted by Texas, who has continued to try to recruit them, but there’s no indication they’ve gotten anywhere.

4-star OL Kaeden Scott remains firmly committed. I think his mom would kill him if he tried to go somewhere else.

4-star QB Jayce Johnson of Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes is not very far from FSU, but he has not shown any interest in any other school since committing.

4-star LB Mikahi Allen remains solid and appears to want to get out of the Northeast.

4-star DTs Myels Smith and Elijah Patmon remain solidly committed at this point.

4-star DB Errol Kerns is having a great season on both sides of the ball, but after flipping from Miami (Ohio), he’s shown no interest in opening things up again. Indiana would like it if he would.

3-star CB Hakim Frampton is solidly committed. I met him at a Rivals camp before starting The Huddle and he and his dad were super excited about A&M — and this was before he made anything official.

3-star TE Holden Niemi remain on the radar for both Michigan and Michigan State, but they don’t appear to have made much headway.

3-star WRs Trey Haddad and Damani Warren both seem perfectly content with their commitments.

Specialists Andres von der Meeden of Tomball and Jamie Sidebottom of…not Tomball (Perth, Australia) are locked in.

So, TL/DR version: concern about Whiteside, moderate concern about Matthews and Ards, no reason to be worried about anyone else right now.

Injury update

There’s no official reporting this week because it’s not a conference game, but Coach Mike Elko said Monday that Mario Craver is dealing with “multiple” injuries and has been fighting to play through them. I think he will likely sit tomorrow or play very little in an effort to have him ready for Alabama next weekend.

Outside of that, I haven’t heard of any new injuries.

Players who now have an extra year (and what they should do with it)

Thanks to the new 5 for 5 rule, members of the 2023 recruiting class now have an extra year of eligibility. Here are the players that have an extra year and what, in my opinion, they should do with it.

• QB Marcel Reed: Do not, under any circumstances, consider the draft right now. Return to college but seriously consider a transfer. It may be best for both sides.
• RB Rueben Owens: Also, don’t try going pro. He should stay, especially if A&M does not sign a freshman back for 2027.
• TE Richie Anderson: Stay. He and Kiotti Armstrong would be the two primary tight ends next year.
• OL Tyree Adams, Trovon Baugh and Wilkin Formby: All should stay. Formby is the only one who should think about the NFL at this point.
• DT DJ Hicks: I get the sense he’s going to go, but I would not. His production has diminished this year and has not been the impact player he was supposed to be.
• DE TJ Searcy: Should go if he continues to produce. He’s become one of the best ends in the SEC, though nobody notices it.
• DE Sam M’Pemba: Should definitely stay. He’s shown some flashes, and another could be what he needs.
• LB Ray Coney: Should return. He’s tied for the team lead in tackles with 30, but has struggled with consistency. A strong 2027 will mean a lot of money for him.
• LB Daymion Sanford: Playing or not, his leg injury is still not letting him perform at his best. I’d take the gamble and stay.
• NICKEL Bravion Rogers: Is playing the best ball of his career, by far. His playing time will only increase if he remains in 2027.
• NICKEL Jordan Shaw: Should also return, though his case is not as clear-cut. He’s on his way to career highs in every category and he’s largely been solid, though he’s made some big mistakes. I’d stress the need for consistency and that he’s kind of a niche player at nickel. If you’re going to be an NFL nickel, you have to kill it in college.
• S Marcus Ratcliffe: Should go. He hasn’t been dominant, but he’s been solid, showcased his versatility and his leadership skills are evident. His size and skillset have scouts watching closely. I could see him being a third round pick.
• S Dalton Brooks: Should stay. His performance in coverage has been flat out bad for most of the year. His overall effectiveness this season has been less than expected. He still has as good a skill set as anyone on the football team, but he’s not showing it off.
• S Tawfiq Byard: Should stay. Missing a quarter of the season hurt and he’s still the third piece in a rotation. Next year, he won’t have that concern (probably).
• CB Rickey Gibson: Should stay. Both corner slots will likely be open next year, he has an extra season and he hasn’t lived up to his early work at Tennessee.
• CB Dezz Ricks: Should go. He’s got the size, the skill and the ultimate compliment — teams won’t throw at him.

The 2027 roster, if my guesses are right (and they won’t all be, for sure, and the transfer portal will take its toll)

QB (5): Marcel Reed (or replacement transfer); Brady Hart, Helaman Casuga, Eli Morcos, Jayce Johnson

RB (6): Rueben Owens, Jamarion Morrow, KJ Edwards, Carsyn Baker, Tiger Riden, DeDe Murray. Quite possibly a transfer here too.

TE (6): Richie Anderson, Kiotti Armstrong, KK Johnson, Evan Jacobson, Caleb Tafua, Holden Niemi

WR (13): Mario Craver (this is the first time I’ve included him, but I think the injury bug and bad offensive play could keep him around), Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, Kelshaun Johnson, TK Norman, Aaron Gregory, Jayden Warren, Madden Williams, Mike Brown, Jaden Upshaw, Eric McFarland, Demani Warren, Trey Haddad

OT (8): Tyree Adams, Lamont Rogers, Zaden Krempin, Marcus Garcia, Avery Morcho, Mark Matthews, DeMarrion Johnson, Kaeden Smith

OG/C (11): Wilkin Formby, Trovon Baugh, Robbie Bourdon, Coen Echols, Blake Ivy, Ashton Funk, Sam Roseborough, Tyler Thomas, Papa Ahfua, Josh Moses, Kennedy Brown

DE (9): Marco Jones, Bryce Perry-Wright, Samu Moala, Tristan Givens, Sam M’Pemba, Kendall Jackson, Zyron Forstall, Frederick Ards III, Kaden McCarty. I see a need for at least one, and more likely two, transfers here.

DT (9): DJ Hicks, Landon Rink, Brandon Davis-Swain, Angelo McCullom, DJ Sanders, Chase Sims, Jermaine Kinsler, Myels Smith, Elijah Patmon. Now I see why they want another tackle in this class.

LB (11): Ray Coney, Noah Mikhail, Daymion Sanford, Jordan Lockhart, Tamarion Watkins, Tank King, Qui Beck, Storm Miller, Kaden Henderson, Mikahi Allen, Aston Whiteside

S (8): Dalton Brooks, Tawfiq Byard, Myles Davis, Tom Tom Johnson, Chance Collins, Tylan Wilson, Kamarui Dorsey, Jayquan Snell

CB/N (13): Rickey Gibson, Adonyss Currie, Brandon Arrington, Vic Singleton, Camren Hamiel, Deyjhon Pettaway, Jamar Beal-Goines, Raylaun Henry, Hakim Frampton, Errol Kerns, Loia Valade, Jordan Shaw, Bravion Rogers

Specialists (5): Tyler White, Shea Freibaum, Asher Murray, Andres von der Meeden, Jamie Sidebottom

That puts them at 104 scholarships for 2027 IF all the guys I mentioned returned. Which they will not. And if no one decides to transfer. Which won’t happen either. In any case, Elko and his staff have their roster numbers about right to handle newly eligible players thanks to 5 for 5.

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