Even before kickoff against Auburn, Texas A&M posted two big wins Saturday — in recruiting.
The Aggies landed commitments from standout defensive tackle Walter Nolen of Powell (Tenn.) and receiver Chris Marshall of Fort Bend (Texas) Marshall.
Nolen (6-4, 325 pounds) is ranked as the nation’s second-best prospect in the 247Sports and has drawn comparisons to former Clemson star Dexter Lawrence. He would be the highest-ranked recruit at A&M since Arlington Martin’s Myles Garrett in 2014. Marshall (6-3, 195) is a top 100 national recruit and the fourth-best receiver in Texas in the 247Sports composite.
The two commitments boosted A&M to 15 so far and to eighth nationally in the 247Sports composite.
— A&M coach Jimbo Fisher bemoaned the lack of a slide by quarterback Zach Calzeda, who suffered a left shoulder injury on a hard hit by Auburn’s Smoke Monday. “We need to get Dusty Baker and the Astros up here to teach him how to slide,” Fisher said.
— Fisher was upset by two false-start penalties after a first-and-goal and said Auburn was simulating the A&M snap. “Trust me, I’m going to call [the SEC office] tomorrow,” Fisher said. “We’re going to have a conversation. I’m sick and tired of it.”
— Running back Devon Achane looked like he was about to pad the A&M lead early in the fourth quarter after breaking into the open on a long gain. But Auburn’s Donovan Kaufman managed to punch the ball loose from behind and the Tigers recovered at their own 5.
— A&M defensive end Tyree Johnson, who was in a walking boot after the win over South Carolina, recorded two sacks to give him a team-high eight this season. “Talk about a guy playing lights out right now,” Fisher said.
— With 112 yards on 21 carries, junior Isaiah Spiller moved into 10th on the all-time A&M rushing list, passing Christine Michel.
— The announced attendance was 109,835, the second largest crowd in Kyle Field history.
