Texas A&M fans just took a huge gut punch seeing that Lamar Brown, a longtime Aggie target and the top overall player in the nation according to ESPN's ratings, has committed to the LSU Tigers. While this was not an outcome that surprises anyone— Brown is a Baton Rouge native and has been excited about both the Tigers and the Aggies during his process— it's still disappointing.
Though it was unlikely given the fact that Brown comes from the same city where LSU is located— and, more generally, is a five-star prospect from the Boot— it seemed like the Aggies had a real shot after the job that Mike Elko did in recruiting here. It's honestly impressive that this was as close as it was down the stretch.
The Aggies already have a great defensive line class, but Brown is the kind of guy that you take no matter what. With Bryce Perry-Wright, Tristian Givens, Jordan Carter, Samu Moala, and Jermaine Kinsler already in the boat, the Aggies have some top-shelf talent, but the miss still stings.
Texas A&M fans despondent but unsurprised as Lamar Brown commits to LSU Tigers
This has been a long process for Brown, who has visited the Aggies many times, but it makes sense that it ends up with him sticking with the hometown squad. Of course, A&M won't be going away in this one— they'll continue to recruit Brown hard until the whistle, but this is a real blow no matter which way you slice it.
This recruitment, with as close as it was, will also add some interesting subtext to one of the Aggies' toughest games on their schedule: a late-season visit to Baton Rouge to play the Tigers on the second half of a back-to-back conference road slate. Could a win there help Brown rethink things? It's not out of the question, certainly, but it's also not necessarily likely.
This is a rare miss for the Aggies in this cycle, but it's a consequential one. A&M will continue to search for another couple of studs to highlight the class as more and more five-star talents continue to shut down their recruitments.