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Writer's pictureAaron Torres Media Staff

Texas A&M, Auburn brace for huge recruiting weekends - as they host Top 25 opponents


Credit: Texas A&M athletics

College football is in full swing as we head into Week 3 on Saturday night.


And while big home games mean a lot of different things - including big-time visitor lists.


That's why, over the next few weeks, as the season ramps up, every Friday here at Aaron Torres Online, we'll be tracking all the big visitors to all the big games every week.


Clearly, every story is a little bit different - not every player will commit to every school, in fact many are already committed to other schools - but it is still a reflection of what schools could potentially be making moves down the road with the biggest names in high school football.


Below is a list of the biggest visitors at two of the biggest games this weekend: Miami at Texas A&M and Penn State at Auburn.


Texas A&M:


Class of 2023


* David Hicks - five-star defensive lineman, Paetow High School, Katy, TX - No. 8 ranked player nationally

* Anthony Hill - five-star linebacker, Ryan High School, Denton, TX - No. 17 ranked player nationally (*committed to Texas A&M)

* Hykeem Williams - five-star wide receiver, Stranahan High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL - No. 19 ranked player nationally

* Tony Mitchell - five-star safety, Thompson High School, Alabaster, AL - No. 24 ranked player nationally (*committed to Alabama)

* Peyton Bowen - five-star safety, Guyer High School, Denton, TX - No. 36 player nationally (committed to Notre Dame)

* Jalen Brown - four-star wide receiver, Gulliver Prep, Miami, FL - No. 48 ranked player nationally (*committed to LSU)

* Jalen Hale - four-star wide receiver, Longview High School, Longview, TX - No. 55 ranked player nationally

* Jeremiyah Love - four-star athlete, Christian Brothers, St. Louis, MO - No. 66 ranked player nationally

* Raymond Cotrell - four-star wide receiver, Milton High School, Milton, FL - No. 103 ranked player nationally (*committed to Georgia)

* Roderick Robinson II - four-star running back, Lincoln High School, San Diego, CA - ranked No. 269 nationally (committed to UCLA)


2024 recruiting class:


* DJ Lagway - four-star quarterback, Willis High School, Willis, TX - No. 30 ranked player nationally


REACTION: Say what you want about Texas A&M, but even when the Aggies struggle on the field it doesn't slow down recruiting. In total, the Aggies will have a staggering five, five-star prospects on campus, and seven of the top 55 players in the country overall.


And while one of those five-stars - Anthony Hill, the top linebacker in high school football, is committed to Texas A&M, what it also shows is the fickle nature of recruiting and kids in general. In addition to a couple of their own commits, Texas A&M will also host kids already committed to Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Notre Dame.


Remember, a big part of Texas A&M's historic 2022 recruiting class was built on getting kids on campus for big Saturday games (specifically Auburn and Alabama) rolling out the red carpet and getting wins.


We'll see if the Aggies can do the same this year.


Auburn:


Class of 2023


* James Smith - five-star defensive lineman, Carver High School, Montgomery, AL - No. 13 ranked player nationally

* Qua Russaw - five-star edge, Carver High School, Montgomery, AL - No. 30 ranked player nationally

* Jelani Thurman - four-star tight end, Langston Hughes High School, Fairburn, GA - No. 69 ranked player nationally (class of 2023) (*committed to Ohio State)

* DJ Chester - four-star offensive lineman, Eagles Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, GA - No. 152 ranked player (class of 2023)

* Daquayvious Sorey - four-star wide receiver, Chipley High School, Chipley, FL - No. 249 ranked player (class of 2023) (*committed to Auburn)

* Terrance Love - four-star safety, Langston Hughes, Fairburn, GA - No. 262 ranked player (class of 2023) (*committed to Auburn)

* Wilky Denaud - four-star defensive lineman, John Carroll High School, Fort Pierce, FL - No. 364 ranked player nationally


Class of 2024


* KJ Bolden - five-star athlete/safety, Buford High School (Buford, GA) - No. 4 ranked player nationally (class of 2024)

* Eddrick Houston - five-star edge, Buford High School (Buford, GA) - No. 18 ranked player nationally (class of 2024


REACTION: In an ironic twist, the headliners of Auburn's visitor list are two separate pairs of five-star teammates. First, are defensive linemen James Smith and Qua Russaw, both from Carver High School in Montgomery, AL. Each is ranked among the top handful of players in the state and Top 30 nationally.


Then, in the 2024 class, it's five-star athlete KJ Bolden and five-star edge rushers Eddrick Houston, each of powerhouse Buford High School in Buford, GA.


While it's a little early to even begin to speculate on 2024 prospects, it is worth noting that a good showing could be crucial in the recruitments of Smith and Russaw. Neither is deemed to be an Auburn lean, but they both live less than 50 miles from campus, and a good showing from the Tigers, in front of a raucous crowd at Jordan-Hare can only help.


Especially since several current Auburn commits will be on campus alongside them.


Nebraska


Class of 2023


* Malachi Coleman - four-star athlete, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln Nebraska - No. 88 ranked player nationally


Class of 2024


* Williams Nwaneri - four-star edge, Lee's Summit North High School, Lees Summit, MO - No. 36 ranked player nationally


REACTION: Finally, we wrap with Nebraska - where, despite Scott Frost's firing, it hasn't slowed down this weekend's mega showdown against Oklahoma.


Among the notables will be 2023 local athlete Malachi Coleman, who is set to commit in the coming weeks - and actually is still trending towards the Cornhuskers despite the coaching change. He would be the highest-rated player in the class to date, should he end up committing to Nebraska.


It certainly won't hurt the Cornhuskers that five in-state players that are part of the 2023 class are expected to be in attendance on Saturday as well.


Follow Aaron Torres on Twitter - @Aaron_Torres




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