Can Jimbo Fisher hang on to Kevin Sumlin’s football commits?

There’s a new sheriff in town in College Station and his name is Jimbo Fisher.

Just weeks removed from replacing Kevin Sumlin as Texas A&M head coach, Fisher jumps right into the biggest week of his tenure in College Station with the early signing period running from Wednesday through Friday.

The Aggies are set to sign eight recruits this week, but the bigger question is whether or not two of the top prospect will stay true to their commitments despite the coaching change.

The Star-Telegram caught up with Jason Howell, Senior Recruiting Analyst for TexAgs.com, on what Aggies fans can expect this week and beyond.

Question: Fans of A&M should be happy at the end of this week if what happens for the Aggies during Early Signing Period?

Howell: “They don't see Richland’s DaShaun White or Arlington Lamar’s Bobby Brown sign with other schools.”

Q: Are there any recruits that aren't suppose to sign this week that fans should be concerned about moving forward?

A: “Both Brown and White thought very hard about signing early. Brown stated his plans not to sign late on Sunday and White sounded like he would most likely wait too. Those two have been heavily pursued by other programs and are intently watching A&M's defensive coordinator search. Oklahoma and Texas are the other teams to watch with White and Alabama and Oklahoma are the teams to watch with Brown.”

Q: How many kids are planning to sign with A&M this week?

A: “The Aggies are expected to sign eight prospects on Wednesday: Dickinson WR Montel Parker, Clear Brook WR Caleb Chapman, Kingfisher TE Jace Sternberger, Cy-Ranch OL Colten Blanton, Katy Taylor DE Max Wright, West Rusk DE Tyree Wilson, Yoakum DB Jordan Moore and Katy K Seth Small.

Q: Who is the biggest signing this week for A&M and what about him makes him special?

A: “Katy Taylor DL Max Wright is the biggest commitment. I have not seen him but our TexAgs staff saw him a couple of times this fall and has seen him several times over the last few years. He's a guy who can play up and down the defensive front. He has the quickness to blow by an opponent with the speed rush, the strength and power to overwhelm the stoutest OL, and he is advanced from a technical standpoint. If Terrace Marshall signs on Friday, he would be a big one too. He is one of, if not the top WR in the country. He's a long 6-4 and runs exceptional routes. His blend of size, athleticism, and reliability are hard to match.”

Q: Do you see any surprises this week, someone commits and/or signs with A&M, someone de-commits?

A: “The biggest possibilities for that would be if Bobby Brown and DaShaun White signed or they decommitted. It looks like both are unlikely to sign in the December Signing Period. Louisiana WR Terrace Marshall, who signs Dec. 22, is also looking at the Aggies and will decide between A&M, LSU, Texas, Florida St., and Alabama. The Aggies are also recruiting JC TE Dominick Wood-Anderson, who was a one time Texas commit. Oklahoma OL commit Brey Walker is also one to watch. Walker took an official visit to A&M on the last weekend before the signing period and has a long standing relationship with Fieher and his staff.”

Q: Will Early Signing Period force A&M to change the way they recruit at all?

A: “Not really. There may be some small changes here and there like how they schedule official visits or when the head coach uses his in-home visit, but overall it will not impact the recruiting strategy.”

Q: What's the overall expectations for Aggie Land during early period?

A: “Good, sign several commitments and maybe add a national prospect or two.”

Q: What does Jimbo Fisher and the A&M staff think of the early period?

A: “It really does not change their philosophy.”

Q: What do you believe will be A&M's main focus after this week is over with?

A: “I think QB will be a big focus. They aren't expected to sign a QB early and after the early period they will have more of an idea about the dire room they want to go. Linebacker is another spot I think you could see some new prospects emerge. And then White and Brown will definitely remain a priority in the DFW area.”

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Can Jimbo Fisher hang on to Kevin Sumlin’s football commits?."