By Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Texas A&M added to its impressive 2015 recruiting class when ESPN 300 wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge verbally committed Thursday afternoon.
Lodge, the nation’s No. 9 receiver, became the Aggies’ 16th overall commit — and ninth from the ESPN 300 — in the 2015 class.
Lodge, No. 65 in the ESPN 300, chose Texas A&M over Clemson, Florida, USC, Baylor, LSU, Ole Miss and others.
“I’ve always wanted to be there. It’s just that environment,” Lodge said. “It’s so laid back there, and they’re really not on you too hard … but when you make the wrong decisions, they will be. They’re going to let you be a man and learn from your mistakes.”
Lodge will join a class that is No. 3 in the ESPN class rankings. It features the nation’s No. 1 quarterback Kyler Murray, No. 3 defensive tackle Daylon Mack and No. 8 safety Larry Pryor Jr., all ESPN 300 players. Lodge and Kemah Siverand, another ESPN 300 receiver, are expected to be reliable offensive targets when their numbers are called in coach Kevin Sumlin’s offense.
“That played a big role, knowing I’ll be playing next to some great athletes,” Lodge said. “You don’t want to be the only one who’s at your level. You want to play with guys who will take you to that next level.”
Recruited by Texas A&M receivers coach David Beaty, Lodge said it was the honesty of the coaching staff that played a role in his decision.
“When I get there, he’s not promising me anything,” Lodge said. “It’s all a competition, and he’s going to play the best of the field.”