Commit gives Texas A&M and Johnny Football another weapon
Johnny Football will have a new friend to play with in 2013.
On Monday, Texas A&M landed a verbal commitment from Ricky Seals-Jones, the nation's top-ranked athlete, according to ESPN.com. Seals-Jones, who chose A&M over offers from LSU, Oregon, Stanford, Oklahoma and others, is expected to play wide receiver for the Aggies.
"A lot of talent is starting to come there," said Seals-Jones. "Hopefully we can bring a national championship to A&M."
Seals-Jones is the 33rd member of A&M's 2013 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. Rivals.com currently ranks A&M's class as the seventh-best in the FBS, though Seals-Jones' commitment could move the Aggies up a peg.
A&M's recruiting has picked up since Kevin Sumlin was hired last winter, but the Aggies' efforts on the trail have hit a new gear since the team capped a 10-win debut as a member of the SEC. Sumlin and his staff have picked up six verbal commitments since Nov. 10, when A&M beat then-No. 1 Alabama 29-24 in Tuscaloosa.
While currently non-binding – nothing is official until national signing day – Seals-Jones' commitment will go a long way towards addressing a position of need, receiver, as the Aggies look to build upon a fantastic 2012 season.
A&M will lose Ryan Swope, one of the best receivers in school history, as well as fellow senior Uzoma Nwachukwu. Seals-Jones joins a young receiver corps headlined by freshman Mike Evans, and will have the opportunity to earn immediate playing time at the position.
Seals-Jones was once committed to Texas before re-opening his recruitment in June. Getting one of the nation's best prospects feels good; that he was once headed to Austin is the cherry on top for Texas A&M.
And he'll give Johnny Manziel another weapon to work with on offense. On Saturday, Manziel became the second A&M player and first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, finishing ahead of Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. How were your team's last 48 hours?