By ROBERT CESSNATexas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman said he's been involved in some aspect of recruiting every day since taking the job.
"That's certainly a challenge," Sherman said of recruiting. "You can always make one more call. It's a never-ending process. It's something you have to have a passion for, which I do."
Sherman said recruiting is competition much like a game, but unlike having one opponent on the field, you might have five or more schools recruiting for the same star athlete.
On Monday, Sherman will begin face-to-face meetings with recruits; it will be the first time he is allowed such contact since taking the job. He also plans to meet as many high school football coaches as possible in the next three weeks.
Sherman said one thing that's changed since he was an assistant at A&M is the new rules that govern text messaging. A couple recruits texted him Happy New Year's wishes, but he couldn't reply by NCAA rules.
Sherman had to know that when he took the NCAA's off-campus recruiting test for coach's, which he passed with ease.
"I've been in some tight ballgames," Sherman said. "But if word got out that the head coach at Texas A&M didn't pass that test, it wouldn't look too good. That would be a tough secret to keep."
Sherman said he wouldn't have been able to accomplish so much if he hadn't brought back Tim Cassidy as director of football operations.
Cassidy has been invaluable in making staff hires, and his knowledge of the university and his expertise on recruiting in Texas has been immeasurable, Sherman said.
Sherman said having an experienced quarterback in Stephen McGee gives the offense a leg up heading into spring drills, even though McGee had surgery last week on his nonthrowing shoulder, which typically requires three months recovery time.
McGee will miss the physical portion of spring drills, but he will be able to tackle the mental aspects of A&M's new offense, Sherman said.
That also will allow redshirt freshman Jerrod Johnson to get more snaps.
"These injuries, even though they frustrate the heck out of you as a coach, they end up making your team stronger," Sherman said.
Sherman said the Aggies are strong at running back but face a big challenge in rebuilding the offensive line, where they lost all five who started in the 38-30 victory over Texas.
"That will be the biggest challenge as well as tight end," Sherman said.
At tight end, Joey Thomas was a senior, and junior Martellus Bennett has declared for the NFL draft.
Sherman said he's challenging 277-pound running back Jorvorskie Lane to lose some weight, adding that he could afford to shed a few of his own pounds as well.
Sherman said playing Arkansas in Dallas hopefully will give A&M's recruiting in the Metroplex a boost. A&M had only 13 scholarship players from the Dallas-Fort Worth area on its 2007 roster.
"I remember in the old days we used to do pretty well in the Dallas Carters and some of those schools up in Dallas," Sherman said. "It just seems we haven't fared as well of late."
Sherman wants offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell to make the play calls, but Sherman has veto power. ... A&M hasn't set the start of spring training, but the Maroon and White game will be April 19. ... Sherman is contemplating three or four position changes but hasn't talked to the players about those switches.
Sherman said being limited to 20 hours per week with college players vs. the countless hours NFL coaches spend with their team isn't as big a concern as the switch in hashmarks. College hashmarks are 60 feet from the sideline, which can create unbalanced lines, while NFL hashmarks are 70 feet, 9 inches, allowing teams to gear their offenses to one side.
Three A&M pledges from its 2008 signing class are expected to enroll next week -- Birdville quarterback Tommy Dorman and McKinney Boyd wide receiver Jeff Fuller along with junior college transfer Matt Moss of Grossmont (Calif.) Community College.
Sherman said his old boss, Gary Kubiak, definitely will take the Houston Texans to the "next level" next year. Sherman said the two of them were the last to leave the lockerroom after the season-ending 42-28 victory over Jacksonville. Sherman said it was important to enjoy the moment of the franchise's 8-8 season. "That was special," Sherman said.
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