Texas A&M Recruiting 2015: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates

Texas A&M has taken charge as the hottest college football team in terms of recruiting the Lone Star State. Head coach Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies are rolling toward another star-studded class as national signing day nears.

The team aims to take a necessary step up the SEC ladder, and the acquisition of premier prospects from Texas and beyond is paramount in that effort. Top 2014 pickup Myles Garrett set a conference record for sacks as a freshman, while classmate Speedy Noil quickly emerged as a key downfield target in the passing game.

Texas A&M currently holds 20 commitments in its 2015 class, per 247Sports.

Let's take a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Aggies.

Latest News

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Texas A&M is set to host one of its top recruiting targets this weekend. The Aggies will welcome Soso Jamabo to campus, according to Gerry Hamilton of ESPN. 

The 5-star running back is considered No. 1 overall among players at the position in 247Sports' composite rankings. He is Texas' sixth-rated recruit on that list.

Jamabo, a 6'2.5", 210-pound playmaker, rushed for a career-best 2,279 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2014. He previously spent time on official visits at UCLA and Notre Dame, but is close friends with 5-star Texas A&M quarterback commit Kyler Murray. 

A potential trio of Murray, Jamabo and 5-star Arizona wide receiver Christian Kirk could quickly elevate the Aggies offensive attack.

Top Targets and Commitments

Friday, Dec. 19

A rough day for Texas A&M just became much worse. The Aggies suffered a major blow Friday, as 5-star defensive tackle Daylon Mack announced his decommitment:

Name	Position	Ranking	High School	Status
Kendall Sheffield	CB	5-Star (18)	Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City, TX)	Target
Tyron Johnson	WR	5-Star (21)	Warren Easton (New Orleans, LA)	Target
Damien Harris	RB	5-Star (32)	Madison Southern (Berea, KY)	Target
Anthony Wheeler	LB	4-Star (170)	Skyline (Dallas, TX)	Target
Christian Kirk	WR	5-Star (27)	Saguaro (Scottsdale, AZ)	Committed
Kyler Murray	QB	5-Star (24)	Allen (Allen, TX)	Committed
James Lockhart	DE	4-Star (105)	Ennis (Ennis, TX)	Committed
Justin Dunning	S	4-Star (114)	Whitehouse (Whitehouse, TX)	Committed
Larry Pryor	S	4-Star (156)	Sulphur Springs (Sulphur Springs, TX)	Committed
Jordan Davis	TE	4-Star (184)	Clear Lake (Houston, TX)	Committed
Keaton Sutherland	OT	4-Star (190)	Marcus (Flower Mound, TX)	Committed
Roney Elam	CB	4-Star (197)	Newton (Newton, TX)	Committed
Connor Lanfear	OT	4-Star (204)	Jack C Hays (Buda, TX)	Committed
Kemah Siverand	WR	4-Star (212)	Cypress Ridge (Houston, TX)	Committed
Trevor Elbert	OT	4-Star (215)	Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, TX)	Committed
Jay Bradford	RB	4-Star (229)	Splendora (Splendora, TX)	Committed
Kingsley KeKe	DT	3-Star (341)	George Ranch (Richmond, TX)	Committed
Deshawn Capers-Smith	ATH	3-Star (450)	Warren Easton (New Orleans, LA)	Committed
Justin Evans	S	3-Star (n/a)	Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (Perkinston, MS)	Committed
Landis Durham	LB	3-Star (543)	Plano East (Plano, TX)	Committed
Claude George	LB	3-Star (n/a)	Hutchinson C.C. (Hutchinson, KS)	Committed
Erik McCoy	OC	3-Star (n/a)	Lufkin (Lufkin, TX)	Committed
Riley Garner	LB	3-Star (n/a)	A&M Consolidated (College Station, TX)	Committed
Damion Ratley	WR	3-Star (n/a)	Blinn College (Brenham, TX)	Committed
Daniel LaCamera	K	2-Star (n/a)	East Lake (Tarpon Springs, FL)	Committed

The 6'1", 330-pound prospect apparently has two programs on his mind moving forward. LSU, slated to host him for an official visit next month, is a strong candidate.

He initially pledged to Texas A&M as a junior, committing to the program in October 2013. Mack's departure adds to a frustrating day in College Station.

The Aggies were 0-for-3 with intended linebacker targets this morning. Malik Jefferson and DeAndre McNeal committed to Texas, while Ricky DeBerry is headed to Oklahoma.

Friday, Dec. 19

Less than 48 hours after landing coveted Arizona receiver Christian Kirk, Texas A&M missed out on a pair of premier in-state prospects Friday morning. Poteet High School standouts Malik Jefferson  and DeAndre McNeal pledged to Texas, spurning the Aggies in the process:

Both players were projected to sign with Texas A&M by a majority of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball. Instead, they're headed to Austin as a package deal.

Jefferson is the top-ranked outside linebacker in this class. The 5-star recruit also viewed UCLA as a finalist.

McNeal, a 4-star prospect, is also expected to play linebacker in college. He is rated 24th nationally among "athletes", offering potential at tight end and receiver.

Soon after, Texas A&M fell short in its pursuit of 4-star Virginia linebacker Ricky DeBerry on Friday. He committed to Oklahoma, according to Adam Friedman of Rivals.com. 

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Texas A&M made a major splash Wednesday, landing a commitment from 5-star wide receiver Christian Kirk. The Arizona standout announced his commitment to the Aggies after considering a list of contenders that included Auburn, UCLA, Arizona State, USC and Ohio State:

Kirk, rated fourth nationally among receivers in 247Sports' composite rankings, is among the most accomplished athletes in this class. He tallied three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, per MaxPreps.

Kirk collected 2,300 receiving yards, 2,500 rushing yards and 72 offensive touchdowns as an upperclassman. He gives Texas A&M a 5-star QB-WR duo for the second straight recruiting cycle.

Kevin Sumlin secured signatures from Kyle Allen and Speedy Noil last February. The Aggies now hold commitments from Kirk and 5-star in-state passer Kyler Murray.

Monday, Dec. 15

A pivotal week lies ahead for Texas A&M on the recruiting trail. Several top Aggies targets are expected to announce commitments in coming days, including a pair of 5-star prospects.

Arizona wide receiver Christian Kirk will share his decision Wednesday, three months after spending an official visit in College Station. Rated fourth overall among pass-catchers in 247Sports' composite rankings, he is also believed to be seriously considering Arizona State, UCLA and Auburn.

Top-rated outside linebacker Malik Jefferson makes his long-awaited announcement Friday. The in-state star could be caught in a tug-of-war between Texas A&M and Texas, though LSU and UCLA are contenders.

Jefferson will reveal his collegiate intentions alongside high school teammate DeAndre McNeal, a 4-star athlete who could play linebacker or receiver at the next level. Alabama may pose the biggest threat to the Aggies in this pursuit.

Ricky DeBerry, a 4-star Virginia linebacker, and former Nebraska commit Kendall Bussey, a 3-star running back from New Orleans, also have plans to announce Friday. Both players are viewed as potential Texas A&M pledges.

With so many key recruits up for grabs, this could prove to be a make-or-break stretch for Kevin Sumlin's 2015 class.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Kyler Murray continues to give Texas A&M fans more reasons to be excited about the team's future offensive attack. The Aggies quarterback commit completed 25 passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns in a state quarterfinal victory over Euless Trinity, per Matt Wixon of The Dallas Morning News.

The 5'10", 180-pound passer proved his effectiveness under pressure by converting a pivotal pass on third-and-20 with time winding down. That drive ultimately culminated in Allen High School kicking a game-winning field goal with 44 seconds remaining in a 30-27 win. 

Murray moves one step closer toward his third straight state championship. He is now 40-0 as a high school starter with 175 total touchdowns, including 68 scores this season.

His arrival on campus will give the Aggies practically unparallelled talent at the position. Top-rated 2014 quarterback recruit Kyle Allen and sophomore Kenny Hill have both started this year.

Monday, Dec. 8

DeAndre McNeal is down to five collegiate options less than two weeks shy of his scheduled decision date. The 4-star athlete, who lines up at receiver and linebacker, released his top-five list Sunday and included the Aggies:

The 6'2", 228-pound prospect plays at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas, where he is often overshadowed by teammate and top-ranked linebacker Malik Jefferson. The Aggies would love to make it a package deal and land both players when they announce collegiate commitments during a Dec. 19 ceremony.

McNeal, who is also considering Texas and Texas Tech in his home state, is projected to sign with Alabama by 36 percent of experts in 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions. Texas A&M follows with 25 percent.

He is expected to land on defense at the next level but just enjoyed the finest offensive season of his career. McNeal caught 35 passes for 836 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 380 yards and 11 scores on the ground.

Recruit ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.