The McNabb Report: A&M Offers Cedar Hill RB

A&M FOCUSES ON CEDAR HILL RB Texas A&M is looking for a pro-style running back and the Aggies' attention for the Class of 2010 is centering on Cedar Hill's Ben Malena as one of its top prospects. Malena said he's planning to take a second unofficial visit to A&M this Sunday. The Aggies already have offered the powerfully built, speedy Malena (5-10, 200) and Aggies coach Mike Sherman could get a commitment with Malena not having set up any other trips to the more than a dozen schools who have offered. A&M had a big interest in Cayuga running back Traylon Shead but the bruising Class A standout committed in February to Texas. The Aggies would like a strong running back with some break-away potential which Malena has showed the last two years for Cedar Hill. The Aggies also are recruiting Flower Mound Marcus running back Stephen Hopkins and Aldine running back Dontae Williams as a featured back, but don't have a running back commitment yet. A&M has shown interest in Denison's D.J. Jones but not yet offered. A&M also is evaluating offers to multi-purpose backs Ja'Terrian Douglas of Arlington Lamar and DeSoto's Marcus Murphy. A&M made an offer to Malena quickly as did Texas Tech, Baylor, Wisconsin and Iowa. A priority for the Aggies is to rebuild a Dallas-area recruiting pipeline which propelled many of its best teams under Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum. Aggies assistants are regular visitors to Cedar Hill which has 2010 recruits in linebacker Aaron Benson (Texas commit), offensive guard Adam Shead, defensive back Elisha Olabode, receiver Oliver Wells and kicker Eduardo Camara. Malena, known as a strong weight room worker, has kept the speed that put him on varsity as a freshman. He's running track for the Longhorns this spring. Last year, he rushed for 2,202 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to being named the District 7-5A MVP as Cedar Hill (12-2) advanced to the fourth round of the Class 5A state playoffs. MISSOURI ADDS COPPELL TARGET Missouri continues to strengthen its Texas recruiting with another strong target from North Texas. Coppell linebacker Jared Parham received a Tigers' offer this week. Parham showed signs of a breakout season last year but was hampered by injuries. He played started the season with a cumbersome cast on his hand and forearm. Parham is expected to be a key cog in a defensive mindset of newly named coach Coppell coach Joe McBride, once a standout linebacker for Lewisville. Missouri also liked how things turned out the last time the Tigers recruited a North Texas quarterback so they've got a 2010 commitment from another. Lake Dallas' James Franklin and Missouri can only hope to approach the heights that former Southlake Carroll quarterback Chase Daniel achieved the last three seasons. Missouri just signed Southlake defensive end Brayden Burnett in '09. Missouri also has a commitment from Mansfield Summit tight end Eric Waters. The Tigers also are high on Kempner running back Josh Bell, Denton Ryan offensive lineman Garrett Gramling, Rockwall-Heath center Austin Woods, ESD center Robert Luce and Lancaster defensive back Quentin Hayes. Franklin committed to Missouri while making a visit and watching a spring practice last Saturday. Missouri offensive line coach Bruce Walker recruits most of North Texas for the Tigers and he developed a strong relationship with Franklin. Lake Dallas lineman Daryl Williams was on the visit with Franklin but didn't commit. Williams (6-5, 270) says he's leaning toward TCU but has yet to commit with other offers from Baylor, Texas Tech and Kansas.