Markelle Martin first to jump Aggie ship

According to SoonerScoop.com and ESPN.com, the highly ranked safety prospect Markelle Martin has de-committed from Texas A&M and joined the Oklahoma Sooners. How Martin Ranks:

Rivals: #12 safety in nation
ESPN: #11 safety in nation
Scout: Unranked wide receiver

The Rider High (Wichita Falls, TX) product is listed at 6-2, 190 lbs. Martin plays with reckless abandon. He announces his presence at the ball carrier. He has no regard for his bodily safety. Once he reads run, he is flying past blockers to the ball.

He is very strong at reading the play when sitting back in a zone scheme. He is fundamentally sound when it comes to turning his hips and staying low as he turns to run. He has great ball skills and has no problem going up and fighting for the pass.

This is a kid who uses his superior diagnostic skills to mask the lack of overall speed and athleticism. He is quicker than he is fast.

The real question is how many kids jump ship? Some are nervous and some are excited. The quick coaching turn-around will help continuity. However, new coach Mike Sherman will be building a staff and recruiting kids all while he does this little thing called coaching in the NFL. It will be tough.

Texas A&M only has two out-of-state commits though so it should be easy for Sherman, who is with the Houston Texans, to visit kids and calm their nerves. It will also help if he keeps some of the coaches from Fran's staff. It always helps the recruiting class if former coaches are kept.

Losing Martin is a big hit though. If they lose kids like Sedrick Johnson it will not be pretty. Especially if those kids go to divisional foes.