The Texas A&M Aggies will be getting some big-time help for their struggling defensive line in 2014 with the commitment of Arlington (Texas) Martin defensive end Myles Garrett.
Myles Garrett commits to the Texas A&M Aggies
The five-star defensive end was a longtime A&M lean.
Garrett committed on Friday at his high school:
Your newest #Aggies DE Myles Garrett. Normally with eyes open. pic.twitter.com/b4gcS08YdH
— William Wilkerson (@ESPNwilkerson) October 18, 2013
The consensus five-star prospect is rated as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Texas according to the 247Sports Composite rankings and the top player in the state by 247Sports. The 6’4, 240-pounder is considered the No. 2 weak-side defensive end in the nation and the No. 16 player nationally.
He held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, and Texas, but was considered a long-time lean to Texas A&M -- his predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball were unanimous for the Aggies.
Here’s the scouting report on Garret, who had 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt against Weatherford in early October:
When coaches talk about passing the eyeball test, sometimes they mean looking a prospect in the eyes and seeing if they make eye contact.
Then there's the other eye test, the one that can earn prospects offers before college coaches even see their film.
In that latter test, there's no question that Garrett grades high in the 90th percentile.
At 6'4 and around 240 chiseled pounds, the Arlington defensive end is one of those players who looks physically capable of stepping onto a college campus and contributing right away. As a high school junior.
Well, he pretty much looked like that as a sophomore, too.
On his junior film, Garrett backs all that up with some impressive plays. It's not often that highlights can make an evaluator laugh out loud, but physical acts of dominance like those perpetuated several times by Garrett last all can ensure it.
Most weakside defensive ends coming out of high school are 15 or 20 pounds lighter than Garrett. Heck, four-star US Army All-American Torrodney Prevot still weighs less than 210 pounds a month after signing with Oregon.
But Garrett already has the mass to play the weakside position and not give up much against the run, though he will have to work on his leverage and won't be able to get away with playing as high as he does, especially when working laterally down the line of scrimmage combating the zone running game.
As a pass rusher, Garrett could consistently get better jumps and isn't an elite rusher in terms of pure speed, but is one of the top handful of prospects in the state of Texas because he's strong enough to bulrush opponents, but can also flash a little rip move to take the edge, while making some motor plays as well.
Since Garrett does have a high level of athleticism with a reported 4.7 40 time, Martin uses his at times to drop into coverage and impact underneath passing lanes, while he also has the motor to chase down plays far from the line of scrimmage.
The level of refinement isn't top notch for Garrett. however, and he doesn't put it all together as much as he could. The physical skills are and there are enough flashes of knowing what he's doing out there to make his collegiate upside quite high and perhaps even on par with fellow Martin alum Devonte Fields, who tore up the Big 12 last year as a true freshman.
Garrett is the highest-rated commit in a strong A&M class that ranked No. 5 in the SEC and No. 11 nationally prior to his pledge. The second defensive end to join the class, Garrett will team with Katy (Texas) Seven Lakes weakside defensive end in college, where he could end up on the strongside due to his frame.
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