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How A&M-SEC May Impact Recruiting
With the potential exit of Texas A&M from the Big 12 Conference, RRS
reached out to a few 2013 prospects to get an idea of how the move could impact
recruits' perception of the Aggies in the future.
"It really doesn't make a big difference," according to Dallas (Texas) Skyline
receiver
Ra'Shaad Samples. "I understand what's good about the opportunity to play in
the SEC. They're on television and there's s a little more exposure, I guess. I
know it's a big thing to play there and it would give me a good opportunity, but
whatever school I feel good about I'm going to go with no matter what conference
they're in. I'm going for the school and the conference comes after that. There
is good football played in a lot of places. It wouldn't impact me too much,
personally."
"It would be a big move, though. That conference is really fast. It would be
interesting to watch A&M try to compete with all of that speed and all of those
defenses every week. They're going to have some challenges, and it will have to
be their A game that they bring every week. I think it's going to be a big, big
challenge."
Samples mentioned Texas Tech as the school he's currently hearing from the most,
while also being shown interest by Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, Cal, Oregon,
Vanderbilt, and Kansas State.
Killeen (Texas) linebacker
Akeem Harrison is another prospect who doesn't see the conference
overshadowing the school.
"It would be a great move for them and I think their style of play on both sides
of the ball would be good in the SEC, but it doesn't change anything for me,"
Harrison said. "It really wouldn't make a difference to me because I've been a
fan of them for a long time so that wouldn't change really. I think it‘s going
to be about the school for most players and the conference after that."
Mansfield (Texas) safety
George Baltimore recognizes the elite level of defense played in the SEC,
but also maintains that it's all about a good fit with the university itself.
"They're all about defense and as a defender that's just something that you know
coming into it. I think it would be a good move because we'd get see more
competition take place. People say that's where a lot of the best teams are at,
so I think it would be a good choice for any team with a chance to join them,"
he said. "I wouldn't mind playing in the SEC, but if I had already made a
decision, that wouldn't change anything. I'm going with a school because I like
the school, and playing football is going to be there in whatever conference I'm
in. Whichever school fits be me best is where I'll be."
Baltimore currently holds a Tech offer and has been shown interest by Texas,
Texas A&M, and TCU.
- Cowan
Tech Leads For Hollins, Jr.
Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall 2013 linebacker
Deon Hollins Jr. is in the process of narrowing down his list of options to
a top five, and his father Deon Hollins Sr. gave RRS the scoop on who two of those teams would be.
"We're looking at A&M close because they're definitely in Deon's top five, so
we're watching to see what's going to happen with them. A&M is looking to offer
him on September 1st, and we've been hearing some from TCU and Alabama also," he
said. "Texas Tech is going to be in his top five too and they're at the head of
the list right now.
"Coach (Chad) Scott and the staff have done a heck of a job and I can see all of
the talent they're bringing in. I'm looking at where I think they can be in a
couple of years and Deon is too. He's definitely paid attention to what they've
been doing recruiting-wise and he's definitely feeling the love with them. We've
been talking with Coach (Chad) Glasgow too and we're trying to get to Lubbock.
We want to get out there for a game, but we're not sure when it might happen
yet. The A&M game would be a good one to get to, so we may try and make it
happen that weekend."
And as far as any impact from a potential move east for the Aggies?
"It could be a good thing or a bad thing for them. You look at the SEC as a
powerhouse, but the Big 12 hasn't been any slouch either. A&M would be going to
a situation where you're facing a line of national champs and you know you're in
to face some of the powers in college football. It would be a big test."
- Cowan
Q&A: Chicken Knowles
Here's a Q&A with Rivals150 forward
Chicken Knowles.
How is recruitment going?
CK: "It is going pretty good, I have offers from Arkansas,
Baylor, Houston and Missouri. I have talked to them all this past week."
Do you have any other offers?
CK: "None that I know of right now."
Do you talk to Texas Tech at all?
CK: "Yes sir, Coach Walker is a good guy and is really smart."
Is there interest there?
CK: "Yes sir, anyone that is showing interest in me I am
interested in as well. Texas Tech would fall under that category."
Any visits set up yet?
CK: "Not right now, I am just working to get better right now."
Is there any timetable for your decision?
CK: "I am really just taking it all in right now. No rush at
all."
How did AAU go this summer?
CK: "It went pretty good this summer, we went 63-8 which is one
of the better records in the state."
Anything special in a school you are looking for?
CK: "I want to find a family, a place where I can turn into a
man and learn about life while playing some hoops at the same time. I want to
learn from my mistakes and get to play as much as possible."
- Hair
Tech In Mix For Five-Star?
It is easy to say that Missouri City (Texas) Hightower small forward standout
Danuel House is one of the most sought after 2012 basketball prospects in
the country.
"Yeah I keep in contact with, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Providence, South
Carolina, Texas, Houston, Baylor, Colorado, Louisville, Missouri, Cal, Texas
Tech, USC and some more but those are the bigger ones."
The five-star prospect has not made many visits this summer because at the
moment he has some other things on his mind.
"I will probably take a couple of visits right before school starts and the
first couple of weeks after we got back in school," he said. "I am really
resting up for the Nike Global Championships and eventually prepping to try to
make it on team USA. I want to represent my country so I am working on improving
my weaknesses right now."
House also showed some interest in what Texas Tech and head coach Billy
Gillispie have to offer.
"I talked to Texas Tech every once in a while, not as much as some of the others
but they are a team trying to start fresh. Any player with skills can go in
there and make difference instantly, which is pretty cool."
Is there a sincere interest there? Could Texas Tech land its first five-star
player in Billy Gillispie's first full year in the South Plains?
"Yeah, there is interest there but I don't really have a top school list or
anything like that. I am just taking it all in right now. I do like Coach
(Chris)Walker and Coach Gillispie. They both did some solid work at their old
jobs; they will be good for Tech."
To date, the 6-foot-7, 195-pound prospect has not set up a visit with the Red
Raiders.
Danuel House currently holds offers from Arizona, Baylor, California, Colorado,
Georgia Tech, Houston, Louisville, Missouri, Southern Methodist, TCU, Texas Tech
and USC.
- Hair
To view previous installments of the Red Raider Confidential, you can
visit the archives by
clicking here.
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This post was edited on 8/13 11:54 AM by A. Dickens
