JaMarcus Shephard, Oregon State could steal WR recruit from Texas A&M

There really shouldn't be a world in which the Oregon State Beavers could out-recruit the Texas A&M Aggies.

That was true in the old Pac-12, once known as the "conference of champions," and it's true in the new Pac-12, where Oregon State is one of the charter members alongside Washington State. There's just seemingly a disparity in what Oregon State can offer a top recruit compared to an SEC program like Texas A&M.

Yet, here we are in the thick of the 2026 season and Oregon State is 5-3 and boasts a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender in wide receiver Jesse Legree. In the meantime, Texas A&M is 4-4 and near the bottom of the SEC.

The Beavers are one of the most exciting programs in college football right now. The Aggies are one of the most disappointing.

With that backdrop, it's interesting to see that three-star wide receiver and Texas A&M commit Damani Warren is planning on taking an official visit to Oregon State this weekend.

Warren originally committed to Mike Elko and the Aggies in June, choosing Texas A&M over Michigan, Oregon and Auburn. Warren's adopted brother, Thaddeus Thatcher, is a three-star Oregon State quarterback commit, though, and the two have always wanted to play football together.

The Beavers will offer Warren and Thatcher a chance to make that a possibility at the college level, so this official visit is certainly one to watch.

“I’m excited for the visit," Warren told Greg Biggins of Rivals. “We know the staff really well, and our whole family is coming out. We’re looking forward to watching the game and hanging out with everyone afterwards."