Texas A&M's one silver lining so far in this disappointing season has been the fact that Mike Elko's staff has held together the no. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation for this cycle. Even through this 3-3 start, the Aggies have not lost one commit from their star-studded class, which is a feat in and of itself.
Of course, signing day is still a couple of months away, and you can bet that some of these powerful programs that A&M beat out for their commitments are going to make another run here. The Aggies have rarely lost a high-profile pledge under Mike Elko, but with the way things have gone this season, you can't rule out that something unprecedented like that may come to pass.
Which programs should the Aggie faithful be watching most closely, though? Here are the names that A&M fans need to monitor as the season wears on, and the programs that are going to be looking to push hard for a flip.
Recruiting is about to become that much more of a headache for Mike Elko thanks to these programs
Georgia - Kamarui Dorsey, Jaden Upshaw
The Bulldogs got beat out by the Aggies for a pair of in-state stars in Dorsey and Upshaw earlier in this cycle, with Dorsey being an A&M commit for almost a year now. With Georgia atop the SEC now, though, you can bet that they'll look to see if they can move both of these players off their commitment.
Dorsey is the no. 13 player in the nation right now according to 247Sports and one of three five-star defensive back commitments for the Aggies. His 6'3", 205-pound frame makes him a guy who is ready to step into a starting role in the SEC— and with the way the A&M safeties have been playing, he will have a great shot to do just that in Aggieland.
Upshaw is a do-it-all receiver who will also stand a great shot at making a difference immediately for A&M. If Georgia has their way, though, both of these Peach State natives will be in the red and black— let's see if Elko and this staff can stop that from happening.
Miami - Mark Matthews, Aston Whiteside
It's no secret that the Aggies winning out for the nation's top offensive tackle— a guy who lives 30 minutes from Miami's campus, no less— was one of the biggest moves of the cycle. Matthews is another guy who is cut out to be a day-one kind of starter on the offensive line (heaven knows they need it), so the Aggies desperately need to hold on to him.
What's been less discussed is Miami's chances with Burleson, TX, linebacker Aston Whiteside. Though he's the lowest-rated of the Aggies' three linebacker pledges according to the recruiting sites, the Aggies are high on him as a contributor and need to keep him in the fold.
With A&M playing The Citadel this weekend and Miami playing Florida State, fans will need to keep their eyes on the visitor list down in Coral Gables. The Aggies need to hold on to both of these players, but Mario Cristobal won't make it easy.
Notre Dame - Kaden Henderson
Another massive surprise in the cycle was when the Aggies landed Kaden Henderson over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. All the momentum was on Marcus Freeman's side in this one until A&M made a late move to add the best linebacker prospect in the nation.
Freeman and company have not given up, however, and they are bound to make another run at Henderson given the way the season has gone for each team. Distance isn't really on either team's side, as Henderson hails from Tampa, but A&M will still have to fight hard here.
The Aggies need a stalwart starter in the middle of their defense that Noah Mikhail and Daymion Sanford can pass the baton to, and Henderson fits that profile perfectly. It won't be easy, but this is a guy the Aggies simply cannot afford to lose.
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