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Heading into head coach Jimbo Fisher’s sixth season with the program, Texas A&M is placing a critical focus on building the offensive line through recruiting and development instead of simply grabbing veteran players from the transfer portal, as the 2024 cycle features two priority recruits on the O-line including three-star Coen Echols and four-star Makai Saina.
Echols, who has primarily played at right and left guard during his high school career at Katy, uses every bit of his 6-3, 285-pound frame to destroy any defender in his way as a fierce mauler in the run game, with ways to go as a pass protector simply due to lack of experience in a run-heavy offense. Currently, a favorite to land with the Maroon and White, Echols will take an official visit to College Station on June 2. According to 247Sports, Echols is ranked as the 38th interior offensive lineman and 93rd-ranked player in Texas.
Makai Saina, who will be entering his final senior season at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, is an equally dominant run blocker in both zone and gap schemes, with a slightly larger frame at 6-4 and 290 pounds. Also, a current favorite to land with the Aggies, Saina will also be visiting College Station on June 2, just before his official visit to Austin, Texas, and the Texas Longhorns on June 23rd, so let’s hope Fisher and his staff seal the deal ahead of time. According to 247Sports Composite, Saina is ranked as the 24th interior offensive lineman and the 66th-ranked player in Texas.
Building through the interior with Fisher and newly minted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino at the helm is a sign that the power run game mixed with a spread passing offense is here to stay, and if Texas A&M wants to contend for an SEC Title and a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time since the 2020 season, elite play in the trenches is an absolute must.
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