A&M set for big official visit weekend with dead period over
BRIAN PERRONI
Texas A&M only has three spots left in the class of 2019 - and that does not include potentially saving room for the two unsigned commits in Braedon Mowry and Josh Ellison. That means the Aggies are going to have to make some decisions over who they target in this next month or so.
The dead period is now over and official visits can start again. During the first weekend back, the Aggies will have a quintet of official visitors on campus.
Two - five-star Atascocita offensive tackle Kenyon Green and fellow offensive tackle Blake Trainor of Hallsville - are already signed. Green, the state's top-ranked prospect was just not able to take his visit in the fall, so he saved it for now. The same goes with Trainor. Next weekend, fellow offensive line signee Layden Robinson will do the same thing.
Green will be see a very familiar face in town with Houston North Forest four-star offensive tackle and Texas commit Javonne Shepherd finally making his official visit to Aggieland. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound unsigned senior is close friends with Green and was close to committing to A&M at one point. The Aggies still have a legitimate shot, but all three of Alabama, Georgia and Texas get visits after A&M. Shepherd does not plan to make a final decision until Signing Day on Feb. 6, but it will be interesting to hear his tone when the weekend is over. Could he potentially cancel the other visits? That is not likely, but A&M can definitely make an impression.
Another familiar face to Green will be Amite, La., four-star athlete Devonta Lee. The two got to know each other during the Under Armour All-American week and Green has already done some recruiting. You can bet he will continue to do so this weekend.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound senior is being recruited by A&M as a linebacker. He is also high on in-state LSU, which wants him as a wide receiver. Kentucky is in it as well as he officially visited there in December with teammate and Wildcat quarterback Amani Gilmore. LSU has the edge at the moment and will get the final visit, but this will be Lee's first time to spend an extended period in Aggieland. It will also be a chance for A&M to show him the linebacker depth chart.
The fourth visitor is also a linebacker. Christopher Russell from Dyersburg, Tenn., was a longtime Memphis commit before several SEC schools came calling after his senior season. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound inside linebacker has plans to visit A&M this weekend and will follow that up with trips to Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee. Arkansas was once thought to be his likely destination until the others came calling. Right now, in-state Tennessee looks to have the edge