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AggieYell Mailbag

Here's the latest edition of the AggieYell Mailbag...

Q: It would be good to see your hit rate on top 30 players preseason from the last few seasons. Maybe grade yourself and see how many sleepers emerge and injuries impact the accuracy of your rankings. (jaymar05)

A: It's actually been pretty accurate with the exception of 2012's #1 -- Jameill Showers. Oops. I did have the position right as the most important, just had the wrong guy. Since then, the misses have largely been on offensive linemen, with the line getting jumbled at the last second (last year and Koda Martin, for instance). I think I also had Drew Kaser beating out Ryan Epperson in 2012. I probably overestimated Richard Moore last year. But for the most part, if they made the list, they tended to be impact players.

Q: 1. Which game will make or break if Sumlin will be retained?

2. In the era of the HUNH Spread, would it be better to have more depth on defense or offensive skill positions?

3. Schools that primarily recruit TX (A&M, AR, Big 12, etc) have had horrible defenses recently. Is that due to a lack of talent in TX high schools or bad coaching? (Aggieluke04)

A: 1) I don't know if you can say there is a make or break game at this point. But beating Auburn, Alabama or LSU would be a really good idea.

2) I would always want more depth on defense, regardless.

3) No, it's a lack of big bodies due to the prevalence of the spread offense. That has especially affected linebackers. Areas that have historically mined this region for talent have had to adapt their recruiting plans accordingly, but it hasn't happened overnight.

Q: Would you consider this the best coaching staff Sumlin has had? What do you think about the staff from a recruiting perspective? Collectively, how would you rank it within the SEC West?

On a side note, I know an LSU fan that keeps up with recruiting and all things LSU. He said Ron Cooper is a great coach but not big on the recruiting front. Based on pure numbers on the roster and current commitments, don't we need more LBs and DEs vs CBs? Don't get me wrong. It would be great to take an elite CB, but it seems like we have a greater need to fill the pipeline at LB and DE. (Gulf Coast Ag)

A: 1) I don't know if it's the best, but it's certainly the most experienced. With John Chavis, Noel Mazzone, Jim Turner, Terry Price, David Turner and now Ron Cooper, you've got a ton of seasons under their belts. Two guys I didn't even mention in that grouping, Jeff Banks and Clarence McKinney, are doing a phenomenal job handling recruiting in Houston. As a group, they've done pretty well, especially considering all the negative recruiting they've certainly had to deal with as Sumlin's job status remains in question.

2) I think you may be tapping into their mindset, because I think they're done going after corners unless Isaac Taylor-Stuart decides to commit.

Q: 1. Who are the leading candidates for the Ole Miss HC?

2. Your gut feel about the UCLA game?

3. Who is the fastest A&M RB on this squad?

4. Other than Ratley are there any other WRs whose ball catching skills need improvement?

A: 1) Nobody in their right mind. They're going to have to seriously money-whip someone or get a mid-major coach.

2) Starkel starts, A&M wins.

3) Tray Williams, but Bussey is no slouch.

4) All of them. Can never stop improving. But just because he's making the move from QB, Roshauud Paul is tops on the list. But he's progressing very nicely.

Q: Keith Ford; Trayveon Williams; Kendall Bussey - what do you see as the most effective split between the backs in term of percentage. Whose are best back? (Fatrobby)

A: I think you play the hot hand. If someone's a better match for a defense, keep giving them the rock. In a simple world, I'd give Williams 45% of the carries, Ford 40% and Bussey 15% -- but this isn't simple.

Q: Has the resurgence of the big 10 & ACC diminished the talent and strength of the SEC? (Big Smoothie)

A: I don't see a Big 10 resurgence. I see two teams, Michigan and Ohio State, and I'm not sold on Michigan. ACC? Clemson and FSU are fantastic, then there's a dropoff there too. Maybe you can argue that Alabama is just so strong that there is no second-best team in the SEC, but top to bottom, it's still the best and it's not close.

Q: Robert Congel is on the roster as freshman. Is he a recruit or walk on or ? (rareo)

A: Walk-on.

Q: The last time we lost an opener, we went on to win the Cotton Bowl and Heisman Trophy, should we just loose to UCLA and get it over with? (Agsrule97!)

A: Bleep no!

Q: How many legacies do we have on the football team? Are we targeting any others still in HS aside from Mickens? (h273)

A: Excuse me while I go on a little bit of a rant here (see below)...

What's the infatuation with legacies? It's like one pops up and he has to come here and he's automatically going to be great. First, it's the kid's decision. Let him do as he chooses and if A&M recruits and gets him, great. If not, we have a real nasty habit of turning on these kids before they graduate high school. And the last "big" legacy we had? Now, along with his dad, two of the most despised people to ever set foot on Kyle Field. Ergo, I find little excitement in "legacies."

Ok, now to your question.

I know of one father-son legacy, and that's Tanner Schorp, the son of our own Greg Schorp. We've got a brother legacy in Moses and Josh Reynolds. There's no Matthews connection this year, but there will be again shortly when Luke joins Mike, Jake and Kevin as an Aggie offensive lineman. Jordan Moore is cousins with Damion Ratley, and Erik McCoy is the cousin of the J-Train, Jorvorskie Lane.

And Mickens is the only other father-son legacy I know of at the moment.

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Great. Passwaters is going on a rant.
Great. Passwaters is going on a rant.

Q: 1. What are the obstacles A&M apparently has recruiting talented corner backs and line backers? Coaching staff position emphasis? Lack of talent? Fired Head Coach walking this season? General ineptitude?

2. You mentioned in the Podcast you think Nick Starkel will start at QB. Is that just your best guess at this point? Can you elaborate further, given that only Jake Hubenak has playing time?

3. Should QB in waiting Connor Blumrick consider playing receiver like Ryan Tannehill to get on the field (probably next year)?

4. While it's way too early to predict the win/loss numbers for the coming season, what's your thought on how badly an opening road game loss affects things going forward? Thanks. (Chuck70)

A: 1) Yes. But to be fair, I think they're not done at linebacker yet.

2) Just my gut feeling. He looked the best out of the three in the spring to me and I think he's going to continue to improve.

3) No no no. First, he's coming off a leg injury and second, he's not that fast. He's not a wideout.

4) I don't think they're going to lose the opener, so there's that.

Q: Is it too late to turn this DB recruiting around this cycle? (Carterr66)

A: From their perspective, they'd like to know why you think it needs turning around. They got two of their top targets in Jordan Moore and Leon O'Neal. Now, if you mean is it too late to add some more talented corners, I think that answer is probably yes (except for maybe Taylor-Stuart, who I mentioned above).

Q: Boling ATH Vernon Jackson is listed at 6'3", 235lbs. What position does he project to? (Jessexy)

A: I think he projects to a defensive end. I know some folks want him as a middle linebacker, but odds are really high he grows out of that during his freshman season if not before.

Q: What do we have left after the two WR commits? 5 or 6? I'm hoping Marshall or Waddle, Simpson, Trout, Brown, Anoma or Ossai, and Taylor-Stuart or Griffin. And another LB if we can get really creative - maybe the 2 star, under the radar FL kid that Chavis offered last week? What's your hope / prediction? (hogtide)

A: I figure they probably have about 5 or 6 left right now. Their top three targets are Joseph Ossai, Dashaun White and Jaylen Waddle. I feel pretty comfortable saying they lead for Ossai and Waddle, and White seems to be down to OU and A&M (and will decide soon). From there, that gives you about two spots (if you get all three). I don't think Simpson's coming. It could well be first-come, first-served, but I'd like it if they can some how stretch this back out to 25 players in the class.

The Aggies remain in it for Isaac Taylor-Stuart.
The Aggies remain in it for Isaac Taylor-Stuart. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Q: Now that Jalen is on board, who are your next 3 priorities or really needs? (3s2ghill)

A: Great question. Probably more defensive ends, linebackers and corners. I would have to make an exception for Waddle though. If he wants in, I'll take him.

Q: I see Chad Bailey is committed to Mizzou now. Are we still "evaluating" if he can be an SEC LB to have a chance at offering him or is he completely shut down on Mizzou? Also, what was the hold up on his offer? I can't tell if he was more Brett Wade (a really good tackler w/o the SEC ability) or just not big enough. (Jessexy)

A: They are still "evaluating", but considering they've offered two other guys in the interim (including another Mizzou LB commit, Cameron Wilkins), I don't think the interest is there. Right now, the '18 MLB setup looks like Alaka, Dodson and Marchiol, so they can probably survive not getting a MIKE in this class. They're certainly not putting a lot of effort in there, that's for sure. Outside linebacker is a different story.

Q: How does this team compare going into the season as compared to the 2012 team going into that season overall and by position. (69Ag)

A: QB -- both unknowns. But I think we know that 2012 will win here.

RB -- Both strong. C-Mike, Ben Malena and Trey Williams vs. Keith Ford, Tray Williams and Kendall Bussey.

WR -- Swope and EZ were known quantities. Mike Evans was suspected to be awesome. This year, Kirk is the known quantity and Jhamon Ausbon should be awesome. Very similar.

OL -- 2012's was superb. This one could be above average to good.

DL -- 2012's was solid at DE and razor-thin at DT. It worked. This year's is stacked at DT and very thin at DE. The big difference could be a superstar pass rusher in Damontre Moore, while this group is a huge question mark.

LB -- Porter, Stewart and Jenkins looked good on paper and were better in person. This group is far more of a question mark.

S -- Watts, Wilson and Pryor easily top Matthews and Terrell.

CB -- They didn't know what they had then and don't know what they have now.

Here are your major differences between 2012 and 2017.
Here are your major differences between 2012 and 2017.

Q: Current QBs vs. Knight: How do they each stack up against Knight in the passing game? Will what we lost in leadership and athleticism be made up with much better passing?

Ausbon vs. Reynolds: How much drop off here? (WolfpackAg)

A: 1) Starkel and Hubenak are clearly better in terms of accuracy. Starkel is close in terms of arm strength. Mond is coming along quickly and should be superior in those areas shortly. It's hard to quantify Knight because of the stuff he did that you don't see or gets overlooked. As a player, the QBs should be better. As leaders? I don't know.

2) To be determined. Ausbon is a physical freak and is more physical and faster than Josh. But does he have the hands and that ability to get open? That's what we don't know.

Q: Who is still at there at CB and LB that the Aggies have a chance with? (AllenbyAg)

A: Pretty short list. Taylor-Stuart at CB and White, Cameron Wilkins and Calvin Hart at LB.

Q: Basketball question. What happened to the center - think his name is Mitchell Robinson at Western Kentucky? He left even before school started. Only reason I am curious is because I know originally he was interested in us and I am thinking maybe he would look at us again. (agrabfan)

A: I would think again. Barring a rare NCAA waiver, he won't play for another D-1 school this year. That leaves JUCO, going overseas or doing nothing until next year's draft. If he does get a waiver, odds are you'll see him -- in an LSU uniform.

Q: Which team made the best moves by the trade deadline (buyers or sellers), IYO?

What were the Orioles asking from Houston for Britton? (brohrer28)

A: 1) I thought the Dodgers clearly did well, racking up a lot for relatively little. The Yankees, as much as I loathe them, did well. So did the Nationals, quietly. They needed some bullpen help and got it.

2) A lot. I heard the demands started with Derek Fisher and included some talented arms. The Orioles wanted an outcome like they had in the Erik Bedard trade, where they got multiple future All-Stars (Adam Jones and Chris Tillman being the best known). It was a big enough demand that I wouldn't have made the move if I was Houston.

Q: People will cuss me for caring about texas, but they do matter in recruiting. I was surprised to see how well they are doing for 2018. How are we doing in head-to-head battles with them? I recognized some of their names, but not all. (3s2ghill)

A: Yes, you will be cussed. And it looks like a pretty even split at this point. But it's interesting; a lot of guys Texas got that A&M offered were guys the Aggies didn't pursue that seriously. An example is WR Brennan Eagles; he had an A&M offer, but they pretty much ignored him in pursuit of Jalen Preston. The Aggies didn't seriously go after Jalen Green until it was too late (shame on them); they pretty much dropped DeMarvion Overshawn after Leon O'Neal committed.

Here's how it looks, to me: A&M got 5 guys with Texas offers (at least) -- O'Neal, Max Wright, Preston, Jordan Moore and Barton Clement. Texas got seven guys the Aggies offered: Eagles, B.J. Foster, Green, Overshawn, Keaontay Ingram, Al'Vonte Woodard and Byron Hobbs. But of those, A&M really only went after Ingram, Woodard, Overshawn and Hobbs. There are more head-to-heads coming up, but largely the two are staying out of each other's business (or have found equally good options elsewhere).

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