VOLUME 8, NO. 11, Page 6
Monday - November 11, 2002
EDITOR & WRITER - Billy Liucci
Copyright 2002, ASI, Inc., All rights reserved.

TEXAS A&M RECRUITING UPDATE

AGS LAND BLUE-CHIP DEFENSIVE BACK
Two weeks ago, Humble CB Erik Mayes was close to pulling the trigger after the Ags' heartbreaking loss to Nebraska. Neither the mood nor the timing was right. Two weeks and one win over top-ranked Oklahoma later, and Mayes is an Aggie.

The addition of Mayes to A&M's commit list is very important for a team that is searching for playmakers in the secondary. According to most services, Mayes is a consensus top-100 prospect. Ask anyone in the know, and they'll tell you that he should be rated much, much higher. Mayes has helped lead Humble to a 9-1 regular-season record by consistently making big plays in three phases of the game. Erik is a gamebreaking threat as a free safety, receiver, or punt returner.

As a junior, Mayes was named the District 22-5A Most Valuable Player. Mayes was credited with 77 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 kickoff returns for scores, and caught 8 passes for 206 yards and a score. This fall, Mayes has a pair of punt returns for TD's and has added 9 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns and has picked off three passes.

The 5-9, 175-pounder, who reminds me of former Aggie DB Jay Brooks, was recruited by DL coach Buddy Wyatt and will give the Ags immediate help at cornerback. Mayes joins Humble teammates Chris Alexander and Jason Jack as Aggie verbals.

A&M HOSTS NORTH MESQUITE DUO
Over the past several years, North Mesquite High School has earned the reputation as "Linebacker High," sending plenty of blue-chip LB's to the college ranks, including Christian Rodriguez, Texas freshman Aaron Harris, and current Kansas State starters Brian Hickman and Josh Buhl. This year, the Stallions boast three heavily-recruited defensive backs, including safety Darien Williams and corner Tarell Brown. Both players were official visitors to Aggieland and enjoyed watching A&M defeat top-ranked Oklahoma, 30-26.

Darien Williams, who was hosted by Quinlan Germany, really enjoyed his visit. Regardless of what you hear elsewhere, the win over OU most likely solidified A&M as Williams' favorite. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the hard-hitting, athletic safety end up as one of the Ags' final two DB commitments. I also think that Williams represents the Ags' best shot to land one of the state's elite defensive backs.

Tee Brown was hosted by Kelvin Flood and, like Williams, loved what he saw. I would still be pretty surprised if Brown did not end up at Texas, but the Aggies did everything they could do to change the young man's mind. Brown is one of the state's top-ten overall prospects and the type of corner who has the ability to start at A&M next year. You never know what can happen, but the Ags still have an uphill battle ahead.

The Ags' next official visit is scheduled for this weekend, when Westfield FS Corey Campbell will be in town. Campbell watched the Ags beat OU this Saturday and is looking forward to his return trip. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Aggies have a great shot at landing one of the two great safeties on their board (Campbell or Williams).

WEEK TEN HIGH SCHOOL STATS
A&M commitment and Baytown Lee QB Drew Tate was 24-of-35 for 272 yards, 2 TD's, and 2 INT's. Tate also added 9 carries for 69 yards and 3 scores...Brenham WR and Texas commit Limas Sweed caught 6 passes for 146 yards and 2 TD's...Elsik TE Tony Hills caught 2 passes for 30 yards...New A&M commitment and Humble DB Erick Mayes caught 3 passes for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns (5, 25). Mayes' teammate and fellow A&M commitment Chris Alexander ran for 87 tough yards and three TD's (2, 4, 8) on 15 carries...P.A. Memorial RB James Johnson ran for 239 yards and 1 TD on 21 carries and added 47 yards and 2 TD's on 4 receptions...A&M commitment and Dayton LB Lamar Mitchell, playing fullback, rumbled for 130 yards and 4 TD's (2, 11, 10, 5) on 14 carries...A&M commitment and Klein Oak RB Derrick Brown ended his senior season in style, running for 269 yards and 4 TD's on 21 carries...A&M Consolidated OLB and BYU commit David Nixon returned an interception 27 yards for a score. The pick was Nixon's fourth of the season...Plano East CB and Colorado commit Terrence Wheatley caught a 23-yard TD pass...A&M commitment and Aledo DB Broderick Newton, playing option QB, ran for 148 yards and 2 TD's (8, 11) on 18 carries. Newton also moved to WR and added a 31-yard TD grab...A&M commitment and Chapel Hill WR Tyrell Gatewood also had a big game under center. Gatewood ran for 113 yards on 15 carries. He also had 2 grabs for 13 yards...North Mesquite CB Tarell Brown ran for 263 yards and 3 TD's (7, 23, 66) on 23 carries...Garland DB DeAndre Jackson gained 46 yards on 9 carries, scoring three times (6, 10, 7)...A&M commitment and Naaman Forest ATH John Kelly ran for 173 yards and 4 TD's (21, 1, 2, 1) on 23 carries. Kelly was nearly perfect through the air, going 13-of-14 for 181 yards and a score...Mission WR Earvin Taylor caught 12 passes for 200 yards and 2 TD's...Waco ATH Robert Johnson was 12-of-14 for 121 and 3 TD's through the air and added 11 carries for 83 yards...Cameron ATH Billy Pittman...

DOZENS OF TOP PROSPECTS ENJOY A&M WIN
If ever there was a day that A&M wanted their top prospects in the stands, it was this Saturday. Dozens of blue-chip prospects saw the Aggies take down top-ranked Oklahoma, including A&M commitments ATH John Kelly and DB Melvin Bullitt of Naaman Forest, Humble DE Jason Jack and FB Chris Alexander, and Klein Oak RB Derrick Brown and OL Kirk Elder. The Ags also hosted most of their top targets, including Mission WR Earvin Taylor, Lewisville LB DeMario Pleasant and TE Tremayne Standberry, Jasper OL Jorrie Adams and DT Joseph Bryant, Lufkin ATH Terrence Parks, Westfield S Corey Campbell, North Mesquite CB Tarell Brown and S Darien Williams, Consolidated OLB David Nixon, and Humble DB Erick Mayes and LB Wilrey Fontenot. There were a couple of big-time juniors in attendance. The top names on the list were Denton OL Herman Johnson, Bay City QB Scott Elliot, and Palestine RB Adrian Henderson. Henderson is a very, very impressive junior tailback who I urge Aggie fans to get out and watch next fall.

RECRUITING TIDBITS...
Yes, that was the Jasper duo of Joseph Bryant and Jorrie Adams that you saw on TV during the wild post-game celebration on Kyle Field. Bryant, one of the state's two best pure nose guard prospects, could be seen high-fiving Reggie McNeal, while Adams walked off the field with his arm around R.C. Slocum. I don't want to get carried away, because the two prospects were obviously caught up in the emotion of the moment. However, I've been saying for weeks that the Ags have a better shot with Adams than most insiders think. Expect Adams, one of the state's top five players, to take several visits before reaching a decision, including a December official to Aggieland. Bryant, who finished the regular-season with 98 tackles and 8 sacks, is also tentatively scheduled to visit. Bryant enjoyed his trip to Aggieland as much as anyone, and, despite the fact that he'll tell all the services that he's wide open, rumor has it that the Aggies are in the driver's seat...Klein Oak DE/TE Kurt Ware is another blue-chip defensive lineman who could be leaning heavily towards the Ags. I spoke to Ware on Sunday, and he told me that he's tripping to College Station on 12/13, along with teammates Kirk Elder and Derrick Brown. Ware, who has started basketball season, will also visit Wisconsin (12/6), Iowa State, and Arkansas (11/30)...Lewisville TE Tremayne Standberry and LB DeMario Pleasant were both at the game. Obviously, Pleasant was at the game to watch OU, who he committed to a month ago. Though I'd be stunned if Pleasant next trip to Kyle Field was not until two years from now, I've heard that there could be a little more to it than that. Standberry told me that he was particularly impressed with the Ags' use of Greg Porter...Two big-time prospects who have focused on A&M and OU are St. Pius DE Chris Harrington and Mission WR Earvin Taylor. I don't think I need to get into how much the Ags' big win will eventually influence both players' decisions. I have thought all along that Taylor would end up an Aggie. Magic has been waiting to see Reggie McNeal under center all season, and was wearing an ear-to-ear grin after the game...Brenham OL Dustin Moore, an Aggie target, has committed to Arkansas. I still believe that Moore will be an Aggie if he receivers an offer...Please don't laugh at what I'm about to say, but Elsik TE Tony Hills is considering taking an official visit to Aggieland...In the wake of Will Oliver's decommit, the Ags are beating the bushes to pick up a third o-line commit. No one outside of Adams or Ofa Mohetau have been offered, but Allen's Clint LaTray, a Clemson commit, is a player worth watching...The Ags are still in the market for another LB. The leading candidates are Hebron's Lewis Baker and DeSoto's Victor DeGrate...Klein Forest junior DE McCollins Umeh was extremely excited about receiving an A&M offer. Umeh is a big fan of R.C. Slocum. Keep an eye on the 6-3, 250-pounder, because the Ags will certainly push for an early commit after Signing Day. Umeh will be one of the state's top ten prospects next year...The Ags would like to sign another pure corner and another safety. The best bets are Darien Williams and Lake Highlands CB Stephen Hodge. Hodge will decide between OU, A&M, and Vandy.

A&M COMMITMENT PROFILE: KIRK ELDER
It's no secret that Texas A&M has had trouble running the football for the past couple of seasons. The Ags have been desperately searching for answers, and may have found them at Klein Oak High School. This summer, Panthers' offensive lineman Kirk Elder and tailback Derrick Brown both committed to A&M. The talented duo should give the Aggie ground game a real shot in the arm, perhaps as early as next season.

Elder is exactly the kind of lineman the Ags have been lacking. Not only is Kirk athletic and as strong as an ox, but his on-field demeanor is intense. Elder's tenacity in the trenches will be a welcome sight for J.B. Grimes and the A&M offense.

It's my opinion that a little attitude up front will go a long way towards improving the Aggie ground game. One Seth McKinney or one Billy Yates doesn't get it done. For an o-line to be an intimidating, menacing unit with the ability to mash a Big 12 defense, you need four or five legit studs up front. The Ags have the foundation in place with freshmen Aldo de la Garza and Brian Patrick. In addition, Jami Hightower still has two years left to find a way to tap into his all-American potential. Elder and Cuero tackle Cody Wallace will be two more key pieces of the puzzle.

Elder, who told me that he'll start his Aggie career as a guard, has had a terrific senior season and is a likely all-Greater Houston selection. Size, strength, smarts, athleticism, and a hard-working, physical style, Elder has all of the tools to become a truly dominating offensive lineman. At 6-4, 290, Elder has very little body fat and, in person, reminds me of former Aggie and current Houston Texans' guard Cameron Spikes. Like Spikes, Elder is a weightroom wonder. Kirk has posted ridiculous numbers in the bench press (350), power clean (340), and squat (600). Combine those lifts with a 4.95 forty, and you have the makings of a future stud at the guard position. "The A&M coaches said that they really like my combination of athleticism and size," explains Elder. "I know I've had a pretty good season, because, lately, the opposing coaches have sought me out after our games to tell me that I did a good job. When that happens, you know you're doing something right."

Elder has been doing plenty right, but he is quick to criticize himself, a trait that he hopes to shed as his career continues to blossom. "Before I get to A&M, I want to improve my ability to block linebackers. Sometimes, I get too excited to get to them and I go in not keeping my feet under me. I have to work on staying under control. I also want to work to improve my pass blocking."

If there is a single question mark pertaining to Elder's abilities, it is his pass-blocking skills. You see, the Panthers' very rarely put the ball in the air, so Elder is not as far along as some of the state's other top o-line recruits in that area. Kirk's lack of experience in pass protection has done nothing to diminish A&M's enthusiasm for the blue-chip prospect, nor is it a concern of Kirk's. "I need to work on it, but pass-blocking came to me pretty easily at the A&M camp this summer. The coaches were impressed." As athletic as Elder is, not to mention the fact that he has excellent footwork, becoming a complete offensive linemen will be no problem. In fact, Kirk has the type of skills that could have him battling for a starting job very early in his career. Elder plans to report to A&M at around 300 pounds, and, like Cameron Spikes, should end up as a 310-315 pound starter on the inside.

Since Elder has been a longtime A&M verbal, he has attended several Aggie games. Kirk has heard the coaching rumors, but he isn't buying it. "A lot of times, it's not the X's and O's, it's the Jim's and Joe's. I've been reading the stuff on the internet, but I don't pay much mind to it." Elder is clearly anxious to become a part of the future of Aggie football. A future that will look much brighter when both he and Brown arrive.

MEN'S HOOPS RECRUITING UPDATE
As the Aggie basketball teams kicks off another season, I'm sure all of you will be happy to know that I am planning to significantly increase Aggie basketball recruiting coverage in the weekly newsletters. The reason is two-fold. First and foremost, many of you, the subscribers, have e-mailed me expressing your strong interest in following Melvin Watkins and the Aggies. Second, Watkins and his staff continue to stockpile an impressive collection of young talent on the A&M roster. Last year, the Aggies hit the jackpot when they inked a five-player national top-25 class that was headlined by Antoine Wright, one of the country's top ten overall prospects.

The Ags currently have three solid verbals (Acie Law of Dallas Kimball, Caldwell's Justin Loewe, and LaKeith Blanks, a 6-5 swingman from Maryland) who are ready to sign this fall. Since the Ags lose just three scholarship seniors, the A&M coaching staff is already focusing their efforts on some of the nation's top juniors.

Three players receiving heavy early interest from the Aggies are point guard Rico Harris of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan, Nat Wheaton of Houston's Mayde Creek High School, and local sensation Joseph Jones of Normangee High School.

Rico Harris, who is considering Ohio State, A&M, Purdue, Michigan State, and Kentucky, is the top-rated point guard in the state of Michigan and one of the best players in the talent-rich state, regardless of position. Harris transferred to Denby last season and was unable to play, but appears poised for a monster senior campaign. Harris told me that A&M was recruiting him "very strong."

It sounds like the Ags are definitely a serious player for Harris' services. If Watkins and the Aggies were fortunate enough to land Rico, he could be one of the final pieces to the puzzle. You see, Harris is the type of player who could team with freshman sensation Antoine Wright to give the Ags one of the nation's top backcourt tandems. With Wright, Harris, and Law in the mix for A&M, the Aggies' NCAA tournament dreams could quickly become a reality.

The Ags also have a desperate need to add an athletic big man with the ability to dominate in the paint. Andy Slocum will be a senior this year, while Nolan Butterfras will be gone by the time next year's signees arrive on campus. In other words, the Ags must sign an impact center/forward this year or, two years from now, they will have a major hole in the middle.

That's the bad news. The good news is that one of the nation's best plays just 30 minutes away from the Texas A&M campus. Joseph Jones, a 6-10 junior, could be the answer to the Aggies' prayers. Jones told me that he's getting attention from most of the Texas colleges, particularly from the Aggies and Longhorns. Jones said that a big factor in his decision will be the ability to compete for a starting job and log plenty of playing time as a true freshman. That, along with location, are two things that should work in A&M's favor. This battle should get interesting as Joseph's stock continues to rise.

Nat Wheaton, a 6-5 swingman, averaged 11 points and 8 rebounds as a sophomore and will be another one of the Ags' top targets this spring. Wheaton told me that he's getting early interest and offers from just about everyone, including A&M, UConn, Texas, "most of the Big-12," Tulsa, Arizona, Miami, Tennessee, and FSU.