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Texas A&M Football: Top 2023 target David Hicks trending toward old foe

By Brandon Martinez

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of a Texas A&M Aggies helmet following a game against the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of a Texas A&M Aggies helmet following a game against the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of a Texas A&M Aggies helmet following a game against the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of a Texas A&M Aggies helmet following a game against the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Texas A&M football season starts this Saturday versus Sam Houston State. However, this does not mean that recruiting season stops. In a way, for the Aggies at least, it’s just getting started.

To this point, at least on paper, A&M has a less than impressive 2023 recruiting class. It may be unfair, because every class for the next several classes will be compared to the historic 2022 class, however, this class is off to a rough start even under normal circumstances.

According to 247sports, the Aggies currently sit with the No. 47 class in the entire country. After having the No. 1 class last season, this is not ideal. There is still a lot of time to make up for a below-average class for Jimbo Fisher, but it doesn’t look good right now.

Despite their overall ranking, Texas A&M has one five-star, five four-stars, and three three-stars currently committed. It’s not a problem with the caliber of players they have, but rather the volume of those players keeping them low in these rankings.

There are many prospects still on the board for Fisher to chip away at. Unfortunately, Texas A&M may have suffered a major blow in the form of the recruitment of five-star defensive lineman David Hicks.

Hicks, hailing from Paetow High School in Katy, TX, is ranked as the No. 8 overall player in the country by 247sports. Throughout the spring, the Aggies were seen as the heavy favorite for the defensive lineman, however, the momentum has seemingly shifted to another school across state lines.

Over the past few days, many recruiting sites, has predicted or crystal balled Hicks to the Oklahoma Sooners. 247sports has had three staff members, including Steve Wiltfong, director of football recruiting for the site, all submitted crystal balls in favor of the Sooners. During this happening, Hicks also scheduled an official visit to Oklahoma for November 17th as well.

Now before Aggie fans panic, the confidence levels of these predictions are pretty mid-level. They’re not under high confidence, so I would not expect a commitment soon. A&M is still well in the mix for Hicks’ services.

Oklahoma has a good track record in sending d-linemen to the NFL, but so does Texas A&M. Expect Fisher to keep pushing for Hicks even if he does commit sooner rather than later. In Hicks’ recruitment, it’s not a race, it’s a marathon. One that will last until the ink dries on his letter of intent.