Top Recruits Who Will Be Impacted by Result of Alabama-Texas A&M

Alabama and Texas A&M renew their burgeoning SEC rivalry this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide play host in a matchup that has provided plenty of fireworks in recent seasons. 

Past showdowns between Alabama and the Aggies featured two of the biggest names in college football—AJ McCarron and Johnny Manziel—and drew massive national television audiences. Onlookers included top-tier recruits, and their image of each program was at least partially defined by these games.

This latest showdown again warrants an expansive stage. Both programs aim to strengthen their postseason hopes and provide a showcase for interested prospects. While both teams tune up for the contest, we put the focus on high school players who should have significant interest in the outcome. 

5-Star LB Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas)

Malik Jefferson, the nation's top-ranked linebacker, remains uncommitted less then four months shy of national signing day. He carries dozens of offers and, despite leaning toward Texas A&M as a junior, seems open to several options.

"Honestly I can say that (Texas A&M was) my leading school, but there is no more leading school because something hit me one day and I realized that I needed to take a step back and evaluate everybody else," Jefferson told Wescott Eberts of SBNation.com earlier this year.

The Aggies remain a strong contender but continue to deal with regional competition from Texas and Baylor. Beyond state borders, Tuscaloosa is a potential landing spot. 

Alabama has been unable to land a campus visit with him to this point, though there are still more than two months before his anticipated announcement in late December. Jefferson, who has also shown interest in Oklahoma and Ohio State, is expected to spend an official visit in College Station next month.

The 6'2.5", 215-pound Poteet High School defender dismantles offensive fronts as a blitzer, evidenced by a career-best 12 sacks last season, and is a proven commodity in pass coverage. 

"I think I'm a balanced linebacker and coaches can count on me to get the job done whatever we need to do," Jefferson told me this summer.

3-Star ATH DeAndre McNeal (Mesquite, Texas)

Credit: 247Sports

DeAndre McNeal has stepped out of Malik Jefferson's shadow at Poteet High School in the past year, garnering several high-level scholarship offers of his own. The less heralded member of a fantastic tandem deserves consideration for a higher rating and could play on either side of the ball in college, lining up at linebacker or tight end.

The 6'2", 228-pound playmaker picked up an offer from the Aggies in September after head coach Kevin Sumlin attended his game. McNeal also holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, UCLA and Miami.

He is expected to spend official visits with the Hurricanes and Texas A&M later this season. A trip to Tuscaloosa also appears to carry strong potential.

Nick Saban would surely love to host both McNeal and Jefferson, selling the coveted teammates on his vision together.

"I believe there is strong interest out of both of these young men," Poteet head coach Kody Groves told Drew Champlin of AL.com. "I would think that DeAndre has Alabama higher on his list than Malik does at the moment but this is an ever-changing process."

McNeal traveled to Alabama this summer. A strong showing from the Crimson Tide this Saturday could help command a return trip from the versatile Texan.

4-Star RB Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

Jacques Patrick, one of the most productive offensive prospects in this 2015 recruiting cycle, is closing in on a commitment. The 6'1.5", 230-pound playmaker is scheduled to announce his collegiate intentions Oct. 27, making this the final stretch of a frenzied recruiting process.

The Timber Creek High School standout has Alabama and Texas A&M on a short list of favorites, along with Ohio State and Florida State. He took an official visit to College Station in September and attended a summer camp in Tuscaloosa.

Patrick is projected to pledge to Florida State by 100 percent of predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball, but a big game from either team Saturday could cause a slight sway toward another direction. Rated second nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, he belongs in the company of Florida's best running backs this decade.

Patrick has rushed for more than 6,000 yards and 80 touchdowns at Timber Creek.

“It means a lot just thinking about it. If you asked me before high school if I could rush for 6,000 yards, I probably would have said no," Patrick told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel after surpassing that milestone.

5-Star CB Kendall Sheffield (Missouri City, Texas)

Shutdown cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who rated third nationally among players at the position in 247Sports' composite rankings, is still searching for the right college fit. He's expected to travel to Tallahassee this weekend for an official visit, where he'll watch Florida State host Notre Dame.

The 6'0", 181-pound prospect was at Texas A&M last Saturday and caught attention when he wore Aggies-themed gloves during a recent game. Sheffield is likely to land in College Station if he stays in the Lone Star State, but his intentions remain far from conclusive.

He is expected to visit Alabama in December, per Gerry Hamilton of ESPN. The Crimson Tide could tempt him to follow in the footsteps of fellow 5-star cornerback and Texas track champion Tony Brown, a 2014 prospect who spurned several in-state programs by pledging to Alabama.

Sheffield, a world-class hurdler, will announce his commitment Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game. Expect him to keep tabs on the action at Alabama this weekend even as he explores Seminoles territory.

4-Star LB Ricky Deberry (Mechanicsville, Virginia)

Credit: 247Sports

Ricky DeBerry included both Alabama and Texas A&M in his recently released top-eight list. The SEC rivals are joined in that collection by Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Ohio State, Virginia, Oklahoma and Penn State.

He spent the first two weekends of October at campuses within the conference, starting with a trip to Tennessee. DeBerry spent an official visit at Texas A&M last week, where he was personally recruited by 5-star Aggies defensive tackle commit Daylon Mack.

“I dapped it up with Ricky DeBerry,” Mack told Taylor Hamm of 247Sports. “He seemed to be enjoying it. We didn’t talk about the game too much but he loved the atmosphere."

DeBerry is slated to use an official visit at Alabama before reaching a decision, though the exact date remains a mystery, per Drew Champlin of AL.com.

The 6'2.5", 240-pound Atlee High School star rates seventh nationally among outside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings. He possesses the necessary physical frame and athleticism to potentially play defensive end in college.

5-Star Florida DEs Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson

Credit: 247Sports

Cowart, pictured, is believed to be a package deal with Jefferson.

We pair this powerful duo due to their desire to compete alongside each other in coming years. Beastly defensive ends Byron Cowart (Seffner, Florida) and CeCe Jefferson (Glen Saint Mary, Florida) have traveled together throughout their high-profile recruitment, putting out strong vibes that a "package deal" is in place.

Florida hosted them last weekend, and the SEC tour now moves on to Tuscaloosa. Alabama, already loaded with young talent along the defensive front, has a golden opportunity to make inroads with two of the 2015 class' finest edge players.

Jefferson, out for the remainder of his senior season at Baker County High School with a shoulder injury, is rated No. 2 nationally among strong-side defensive ends in 247Sports' composite rankings. Cowart, considered the No. 1 prospect at the position, provides a disruptive defensive presence at Armwood High School.

Both players are consensus top-10 recruits in this class, so it's no surprise their partnership carries a lot of clout on campus trips. Consider this a crucial visit for a tandem many expect to end up in Gainesville.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.