The Texas A&M Aggies made two big additions to future offenses on back-to-back days this week, as Houston (Texas) Cypress Ridge wide receiver Kemah Siverand committed in a ceremony at his high school on Thursday, almost exactly one day after five-star Allen (Texas) quarterback Kyler Murray.
Four-star WR Kemah Siverand commits to the Texas A&M Aggies
The announcement came a day after he released his top 18 in order.
Siverand broke the news first on Twitter:
It's official, I'll be committing to The University of Texas A&M. #Gigem
— Kemah Siverand (@TooBeFamous) May 29, 2014
The newest Aggie commit Kemah Siverand #wrts pic.twitter.com/CEOGcw0mfS
— Taylor Hamm (@TaylorHamm247) May 29, 2014
The Houston-area receiver had released his top 18 schools in order early Wednseday, then announced his plans for a commitment shortly after Murray pledged at his own high school.
His recruitment had long been thought to be a battle between two in-state schools -- the Aggies and the Texas Longhorns, but Siverand's Wednesday list unexpectedly dropped Texas to No. 5 on his list of schools, behind Ohio State and two Big 12 rivals, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
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With the Longhorns effectively eliminated, the final 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions were all changed in favor of the Aggies in the hours after the news of Siverand’s announcement emerged, leaving little drama surrounding his announcement.
In addition to the offers from the top five schools on Siverand’s list, he also held offers from, not coincidentally, 18 total schools, including Arizona State, Arkansas, California, LSU, Missouri, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, and Washington.
A consensus four-star prospect, Siverand is the No. 19 wide receiver nationally, the No. 24 player in the state of Texas, and the No. 170 prospect in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
At 6’0 and 183 pounds, Siverand doesn’t have the physical measurables that stick out as a prospect, but he did test well at a recent Nike event in Houston, recording a 4.56 40, a 4.28 shuttle, and a 37.1-inch vertical leap that is his most impressive attribute.
Siverand's ability to elevate helps him play bigger than his size, while he almost plays faster than his 40 time would suggest, as he consistently gives defensive backs trouble with his vertical routes. In addition, he can stem and weave defenders on post routes to help create a little bit of extra separation.
Since he can get open deep, defensive backs have to give him a greater cushion than they would otherwise, allowing Siverand to work underneath effectively on out routes and dig routes. Sinking his hips and exploding out of his breaks makes it even easier for the Cypress Ridge product to get that needed separation.
After the catch, Siverand can be difficult to bring down because he drives his legs well on contact and has some impressive change of direction that allows him to make defenders miss.
Though he’s built like a slot receiver, his leaping ability should allow him to play outside in college, where he can threaten defenses with vertical routes and find use in the wide receiver screen game.
The Cypress Ridge product is the 12 commit in the Texas A&M recruiting class, which now ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 3 in the SEC. The first wide receiver commit for the Aggies, Siverand could be joined in the class by five-star Cedar Hill (Texas) wide receiver Damarkus Lodge when he makes his decision, as the elite prospect is also thought to be a heavy lean to the Aggies.
In fact, with two other five-star prospects from the state of Texas thought to be leaning towards A&M as well, the Aggies could end up with Mesquite (Texas) Poteet linebacker Malik Jefferson and Missouri City (Texas) Marshall cornerback Kendall Sheffield, too, which would make for an extraordinary haul.
