Latest news with #CollinKlein
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M is in a 'nice spot' to land the No. 1-ranked 2026 prospect in Iowa
Despite losing out on five-star defensive lineman Lamar Brown and four-star edge KJ Ford this week, Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class is in excellent shape. It is likely to land several priority prospects in the coming weeks. Outside of four-star safety/linebacker Tamarion Watkins and four-star safety Tylan Wilson, who are both predicted to land with Texas A&M, another recent visitor out of the Midwest has emerged. 2026 four-star tight end Evan Jacobson out of Waukee, Iowa, is considered the top prospect in the state and is also a standout basketball player with the intent to play both sports at the next level. Currently, Iowa State, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M appear to be the programs with the best chance to land the versatile playmaker. However, given his desire also to play basketball, the Cyclones and the Aggies seem to be the frontrunners. This week, GigEm247's Andrew Hattersley provided an update on the remaining priority prospect in Texas A&M's 2026 cycle, including Jacobson, who took his official visit to College Station on June 5, followed by OVs to Notre Dame (June 12) and Iowa state (June 17) to finish out his summer tour. Iowa State getting the final visit is telling, but remember that he is less than 30 minutes from Ames (IA). Hattersley notes in his update that Jacobson is looking to announce his commitment later this month, and that the Aggies are the team to watch in the final weeks based on his strong relationship with the offensive coaching staff, especially OC Collin Klein. "In late June, Notre Dame was the program generating the most buzz but time has gone along, I get the sense this has turned more into a Texas A&M - Iowa State battle with Notre Dame still in the mix but their push has slowed a little bit after the addition of Ian Premer. While I'm not ready to count out Iowa State, I think Texas A&M sits in a really nice spot in this race right now." Notre Dame could be out of the running after Ian Premer's commitment, and Texas A&M has just one tight end commit in the 2026 cycle. Collin Klein's scheme is tight end dependent, meaning Jacobson would have a chance to see the field as soon as his second season, and also has a shot at playing under new Texas A&M basketball HC Bucky McMillan. According to 247Sports, Jacobson is currently positioned as the 175th-ranked prospect in the class, the 11th-ranked tight end, and the No. 1-ranked prospect in Iowa. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line as one of the best in the country
Texas A&M will enter the 2025 season with one of the top offensive lines in the country, based on experience and recruiting talent, as all five starters from the beginning of the 2024 season return to the lineup, paired with six freshman O-linemen from the 2025 signing class, led by five-star tackle Lamont Rogers, who could see the field sooner than later. Throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Elko has consistently praised his offensive line, recognizing that for the Aggie offense to improve, starting quarterback Marcel Reed truly requires consistent pass protection. Meanwhile, A&M's deep running back room should thrive if guards Chase Bisontis and Ar'maj Reed-Adams continue where they left off last season. Advertisement This week, Elko continued to praise the O-line during the annual Austin Coach's' Night, knowing that any success starts and ends in the offensive trenches. "Any time you're building a team and talking about possible success, when you bring back your top six starting offensive linemen, that's a really strong starting point." When the blocking up front is effective, most offenses thrive, especially OC Collin Klein's run-centric scheme, which also relies on setting up play-action. However, it requires the quarterback to make quick, decisive reads, especially when the run game isn't working. Elko isn't the only one praising Texas A&M's offensive line, as Pro Football Focus ranked the 2025 blockers of Texas A&M as the third-ranked O-line, behind Alabama and Utah, while Florida and Oregon came in fourth and fifth, respectively. While this is simply a preseason ranking, PFF's Max Chadwick isn't one of the more trusted, research-based football journalists who don't just throw names out for clicks. Instead, he studies the film, showing that Texas A&M's size, strength, and athleticism at tackle and guard should have the Aggies in good shape in the trenches heading into fall camp. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line Top five nationally
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Marcel (Reed) has been great' Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB's development
Texas A&M's 2025 season will wholly depend on starting quarterback Marcel Reed taking the next step in his development, and while most of the national media are highly skeptical, coach Mike Elko has vocally backed the redshirt sophomore based on his offseason development, and continued to do so on Tuesday night during the Forth Worth Coach's Night. Reed is a dual-threat quarterback in every sense of the definition, flashing brilliance as a runner, while he has shown the arm strength and accuracy needed to thrive in the SEC. However, inconsistency in the pocket was a constant issue outside of a handful of games, while his poor performance in the season finale loss to Texas resulted in the national media losing confidence in the former four-star recruit. Advertisement Still, thanks to his father, Rod Reed, we have been able to witness Marcel put the work in the offseason, working with various coaches to refine his technique as a passer, mainly working on his accuracy and quick release. In OC Collin Klein's balanced offense, Reed will need to make the tight window throws and complete enough deep passes to open up the running game, which shouldn't be an issue on paper given the influx of talent in the wide receiver room from the transfer portal. With KC Concepcion and Mario Craver joining Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, Izaiah Williams, and Jonah Wilson in the 2025 WR Corps, Reed can thrive in the short to intermediate passing game given every player's ability to gain yards after contact. On Tuesday night, Elko once again praised his QB based on the work he's put in, reminding the Aggies in the audience that during his first starting season as a redshirt freshman, mistakes are almost guaranteed, but he's on the right track regardless. "Marcel (Reed) has been great." "I don't think anybody really appreciates the development that Marcel made because a lot of his development happened at the end of the year when we didn't get the results that we wanted. … We have to finish those games and get the results, but if you're looking for signs of growth from the quarterback, those signs were there." "Growth" is everything when it comes to quarterback development, and while some will see this as coach-speak, Elko has kept it real when discussing player development, especially given the importance of the 2025 campaign. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB Marcel Reed's development
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 4-star QB and Texas A&M commit invited to Rivals Five-star event
Texas A&M's quarterback future, like that of most major programs, is cyclical due to the transfer portal. However, under coach Mike Elko, the Aggies will return 70% of the 2024 offense this coming season, led by starting quarterback Marcel Reed. Still, Reed is entering a "make or break" season that will affect his future as the starter. In Texas A&M's 2026 signing class, Elko and OC Collin Klein landed one of the top arms in the cycle out of Utah, as four-star QB Helaman Casuga likely represents the Aggies' starting quarterback for the future, especially after 2025 five-star wide receiver signee Jerome Myles was his No. 1 receiving target at Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. Advertisement Casuga's elite accuracy and tough overtakes any concerns about his 6'1" frame, which is usually the cut off for most successful quarterbacks at the next level. While I could sing his praises throughout this article, Casuga has reportedly been invited to the prestigious Rivals Five-Star event in Indianapolis, Indiana, which features 100 of the top-ranked prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, set to take place on June 23-24. Casuga has been on the rise ever since his productive freshman and sophomore seasons, during which he showcased his arm talent, passing for 6,475 yards and 60 touchdowns, before missing the latter half of his 2024 junior season. Casuga's play-making ability is a perfect fit in current Texas A&M OC Collin Klein's scheme, and if Marcel Reed improves in the pocket this coming season, expect a balanced attack that could lead the SEC in scoring and provide momentum for the future. According to Rivals, Casuga is currently positioned as the 104th-ranked prospect in the 2026 cycle, the 11th-ranked quarterback, and the No. 1-ranked prospect in Utah. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 2026 4-star QB Helaman Casuga invited to elite Rivals Five-Star event
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 4-star QB and Texas A&M commit named On3's Elite 11 Day 2 MVP
Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class is headlined by the highest-ranked prospect in the cycle, four-star running back KJ Edwards. Still, one of the more intriguing commits has made headlines this week, as four-star quarterback Helaman Casuga has been one of the top performers during this week's On3 Elite 11 competition, and was named Day 2's MVP after completing 18/20 passes on the night. Casuga was one of Texas A&M's priority prospects for OC Collin Klein, who saw his potential before most programs, and now they are looking to flip the standout Utah-based signal caller heading into the fall. However, Casuga's pledge with the Aggies, like the rest of the 17 commits in the cycle, remains strong, as he is coming off his official visit to College Station on June 5. Advertisement Casuga's next-level arm talent was on full display this week. After losing 2025 five-star Husan Longstreet to USC late last fall, coach Mike Elko and Klein believe that Casuga is the answer as the program's next starting signal caller, which is only surprising to those who have not watched this young man play. Here's what On3's Director of Scouting and Recruiting, Charles Power, had to say regarding Casuga's performance during the second day of the Elite 11 event. "A very good performance on Night 2 from Texas A&M four-star commit Helaman Casuga, who finishes 18 of 20 on target to tie Jett Thomalla. A very clean pro day session. His footwork and timing was crisp and he consistently delivered catchable passes. The downfield arm strength may not overwhelm, but the zip was nice towards the intermediate areas." Casuga's arm isn't considered the strongest in the 2026 cycle. Still, his quick release and elite touch make him a perfect fit in Collin Klein's system, which emphasizes short to intermediate passes. During his first two seasons, Casuga passed for 6,475 yards and 60 touchdowns, and if/when he signs with the Aggies, he will reunite with his former No. 1 wide receiver, Jerome Myles, Texas A&M's top 2025 signee. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 2026 4-star QB Helaman Casuga named On3's Elite 11 Day 2 MVP
