Eagle Staff Writer
New Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman had to work fast to keep what he had and add what he wanted.
Sherman took over the reins of the A&M football program on Nov. 26. But because he had to complete his duties as offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, he couldn't devote himself full time to A&M until the new year.
Since then he's had three items atop his list of priorities: put together a coaching staff, hang on to the recruits the former coaching staff had acquired and put his own signature on this year's list of recruits.
"We did pretty well," Sherman said of A&M's 24-member recruiting class signed Wednesday. "We lost a couple [recruits] like everyone does, but we've been able to keep most of what we wanted and that's pretty good. We were able to get six quality players, and I anticipate a fair amount of those six will be able to help us to some degree in the very near future."
A&M's class, ranked 16th nationally by Rivals.com, includes defensive tackle Rod Davis of Aldine Eisenhower, who signed Wednesday night. Davis had orally committed to A&M more than a year ago, but he explored the option of going to Texas before signing his national letter of intent.
Eighteen of the newest Aggies had orally committed to A&M before Sherman took over for former head coach Dennis Franchione, who announced his resignation moments after A&M's 38-30 victory over Texas at Kyle Field.
Franchione's staff already had addressed two areas of need at offensive line and tight end -- the Aggies lost four starting offensive linemen and two starting tight ends off last year's 7-6 team. Sherman, a former offensive line coach at A&M, was able to keep the five offensive linemen and two tight ends recruited by Franchione.
"I'm sure I had to convince them in some facet that I was the right coach for them," Sherman said. "Still it goes back to this university is bigger than any coach or any athletic program. The university's biggest sale is its students and faculty, and I'm just a small part of that. You have to sell yourself but you bow to the university."
Sherman said he wanted to recruit more speed and spent three weeks covering the state with that in mind. While looking for speedy players, Sherman added DeSoto running back Cyrus Gray and McKinney wide receiver Jeffrey Fuller, who were among the last six to commit to A&M.
Sherman says he considers Gray the best running back in the state, but added that he will continue to pursue speed in future classes.
"Obviously I want to get bigger, faster, stronger than we are," Sherman said. "We addressed that, but I don't think we've totally addressed it just yet. I think we addressed it here particularly with the last six picks we had. We were able to improve the speed aspect of our team."
Sherman also added linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh of Austin LBJ and Katy defensive backs Terrence Frederick and Trent Hunter.
"Ricky Cavanaugh gives us [speed]," Sherman said of the Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A co-defensive player of the year. "Watching him on tape with [defensive coordinator] Reggie Herring, I frankly called up and said we need to get this kid. It's a no-brainer. He reminds me of players we had in here in the past."
Waller defensive tackle Eddie Brown was the sixth player added to the class by Sherman, who hired Tim Cassidy from Nebraska to be A&M's associate athletics director for football, a move that brought Cassidy back to Aggieland and helped Sherman keep A&M's recruiting class together while he finished his duties with the Texans.
"I know some people questioned whether it was a good move for him to stay with the Texans throughout those last three or four weeks," Cassidy said, "but Mike is a man of commitment, and I think he sent a signal to our recruits that if you make a commitment to do something, you are going to do something."
A&M also signed the TSWA 3A defensive player of the year in Palacios linebacker Aaron Buckley.
Other notables in the 2008 class include two Brazos Valley players, Lexington linebacker Andrew Wolridge and Brenham linebacker Kyle Mangan, whom Sherman said could help A&M at fullback.
The Aggies lost one key recruit Wednesday. Arp wide receiver Sedrick Johnson, who orally committed to A&M before Franchione resigned, headed north to Iowa State in one of Rival.com's five biggest signing day surprises. According to Rivals.com, Johnson was the highest rated player (four stars) to sign with the Cyclones.
Gilmer's Lamar Harris, listed as an athlete, and Weatherford defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore had orally committed to A&M at one time but signed with Oklahoma and Notre Dame, respectively.
When asked what roster needs A&M still has, Sherman started with the defense.
"A bona fide bluechip pass rusher -- do we have that in this group? I can't say we do and can't say we don't," Sherman said. "Improving at safety, I feel like we helped ourselves with [Keon] Furtch, but I'd like one more safety.
"I wish we could have gotten one more tailback, but there are plenty in the state next year to draw from. And I'd like to have gotten one more receiver."
Among other notables in A&M's 24-man signing class is Beaumont Westbrook defensive end Blake Chavis, the brother of Billy Chavis who played on special teams and saw some time at safety and linebacker as a freshman last season.
Beaumont Central's Derrick Hall was listed as an athlete throughout the recruiting process and can play running back, wide receiver or defensive back. A&M also added four-star defensive end Tony Jerod of DeSoto.
A&M's lone junior college transfer is defensive end Matt Moss from Grossmont College in California.
Moss, Fuller and quarterback Tommy Dorman of North Richland Hills Birdville are already enrolled at A&M and are expected to participate in spring workouts.
• Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.
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