Tuesday-evening A&M VIP recruiting notes
VIP ByDAMON SAYLES
Marcus Banks (Photo: 247Sports)
The news of Tuesday night came when Dekaney 4-star cornerback Marcus Banks announced his decommitment from LSU via social media a little bit after 7:30 p.m. CT. Before Banks committed to LSU in June, he was thought to be a legitimate Texas A&M target.
"This was one of the hardest decisions of my life," Banks tweeted Tuesday evening. "Understand that there is no love lost with LSU, but I have to do what's best for myself and my future."
As talented as he is, Banks still should be considered a take for Texas A&M. And in speaking with a source very close to the situation Tuesday evening, the 6-foot, 170-pound shutdown cornerback is definitely considering the Aggies.
The question right now would be, can the numbers work? In having the nation's No. 2-ranked 2019 class, the Aggies have 25 commitments -- with only three spots remaining. And with those three spots left, there are seven or eight athletes who could legitimately complete the class.
Knowing that Banks is still high on Texas A&M is great news for the coaching staff and for those who follow Aggie recruiting. Texas A&M already has arguably the nation's best 2019 defensive backs class in 4-star safeties Brian Williams and Demani Richardson and 4-star cornerbacks Erick Young, Jeffery Carter and Bobby Wolfe. Banks would only further solidify the talent level of that secondary class.
Prior to his commitment to LSU, Banks was thought to be headed to Texas A&M, as the Aggies were big leaders in his 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions. Alabama is a team to watch, as well.
A&M still No. 1 for Demas, but who's No. 2?
While some may think Texas is the biggest competition for 5-star Texas A&M 2020 wide receiver commit Demond Demas, one Big Ten school needs to be heavily considered in the race.
While Demas is still a solid Aggie commit, he told 247Sports that Ohio State is a school to watch. Demas was in Columbus over the weekend and watched the Buckeyes remain undefeated by defeating Minnesota.
"Ohio State is No. 2, right behind Texas A&M,” Demas told 247Sports' Bill Kurelic. "I talked to Urban Meyer. That made me feel good [about Ohio State]."
Demas told Kurelic that he was impressed with Ohio State's passing attack and how the offense was able to put points on the board by using multiple options. Demas has always said he wants to sign with a program that will effectively use its wide receivers and have a dynamic passing game.
More on the numbers game: FSU pledge Hunter
With the news on Banks -- and the Aggies having another name to consider for those final remaining spots in the 2019 class -- all eyes also should be on Florida State defensive end commit Derick Hunter. While still committed to the Seminoles, Hunter said he's remained in contact with the Aggie duo of running backs coach Jay Graham and defensive tackles coach Elijah Robinson.
If there's a team that can flip Hunter, it's Texas A&M. The Fort Myers (Florida) Dunbar prospect thoroughly enjoyed his official visit to College Station the weekend of Oct. 5, and he said he can see himself being a part of a front seven that has established itself under defensive coordinator Mike Elko, statistically, as one of the nation's best.
"Man ... it was crazy," Hunter told GigEm247 after the official visit. "The atmosphere ... everything just blew me away. Everything. It felt like the stadium was shaking the whole game. That's all I can say. I never expected A&M to blow me away like that."
While Texas A&M is a team to watch, Miami also should be a team to keep an eye on. Hunter was expected to be at Virginia for an official visit this past weekend. He told GigEm247 that he wanted to take an official visit the weekend of Nov. 16 to Clemson, as well.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Hunter is ranked the nation's No. 21 strong-side defensive end and No. 281 player overall in the 2019 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He has 41 reported offers.
Update on 2020 QB Hornsby
Remember 2020 quarterback Malik Hornsby? Is he committed? Is he not committed?
While it's safe to say that Texas A&M is in a great spot to sign Fort Bend Marshall's electric dual-threat quarterback and national top-20 athlete in the class, sources close to the situation say he is still continuing to take his time with making a final decision. The 4-star quarterback, at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, still has Texas A&M very high on his list, but he's keeping all of his options open and giving every team a chance to fully recruit him.
With that said, the Aggies are still considered the frontrunner in Hornsby's process. Hornsby is ranked the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and No. 12 player overall in the 2020 class, per 247Sports. Nine out of 10 of his Crystal Ball predictions favor the Aggies.
Dickinson tight end Jalen Wydermyer should be considered on commitment watch. While it isn't guaranteed that he'll commit before the end of the season, sources close to the situation say he has thought of potentially ending his process within the next few weeks. Wydermyer, a 3-star tight end, has an official visit scheduled next month to Miami, and he also has interest in Ole Miss. ... Hebron 2020 safety Darius Snow, a top Texas A&M target and the nation's No. 4 safety per 247Sports, will head to East Lansing, Michigan, this weekend for a visit to Michigan State. His father, Eric Snow, played basketball for the Spartans, while his uncle, Percy Snow, played linebacker for Michigan State's football team. ... Duncanville 2020 safety Chris Thompson Jr., the top-ranked safety in the class per 247Sports, has Texas A&M and LSU as two schools that are high on his list. A potential trip to keep an eye on is Nov. 24, when the two teams meet up at Kyle Field in a huge SEC West showdown. Thompson told GigEm247 that Texas, Ohio State, Stanford, Florida, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, SMU and Oklahoma State are several other schools who he still hears from often