Feb. 3, 2005, 12:46AM

A&M shows ability to finish strong
By NEIL HOHLFELD
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES


For those who bemoan the disappearance of the two-sport star, a comeback for the fading Big Man on Campus could be taking place at Texas A&M.

After the well-publicized decision by tight end/power forward Martellus Bennett of Alief Taylor to go to A&M and play football and basketball earlier in the week, defensive back/track star Gremon Coffman pledged to the Aggies in dramatic fashion Wednesday morning.

Coffman (6-0, 207) had narrowed his choices to Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

According to A&M football coach Dennis Franchione, Coffman stood in front of the student body at Duncanville High School wearing Oklahoma garb.

It was a ruse, as Coffman pulled off the OU stuff and was wearing A&M gear.

Because of his size and speed, Coffman is projected as a safety.

He made 108 tackles in his senior season and also placed fourth in the in the 200 meters in the 2004 Class 5A state track meet.

"We found out this morning that we were the lucky winners of the Gremon Coffman sweepstakes," Franchione said. "We didn't know which way he'd go until today, so that's kind of exciting. He's a big hitter who has tremendous potential in football and in the 200 meters in track."

Led by Bennett, the state's top-ranked recruit, the Aggies reeled in a class of 27 players that was ranked among the top 10 in the nation by most recruiting services.

Franchione said the improvement from 4-8 in his first season at A&M in 2003 to 7-5 and a trip to the Cotton Bowl last season was one big reason for the highly regarded class.

"I think our reputation as a staff was good enough that we were able to have a strong class a year ago," Franchione said. "But there's no question that winning opens a lot of doors. Having the kind of season we had and going to a New Year's Day bowl got us into a lot of (recruits') living rooms this year."

In addition to Bennett and Coffman, some of the other top incoming players include junior college defensive back Marquis Carpenter of Melbourne, Fla., defensive end Paul Freeney of Eisenhower, offensive lineman Kellen Heard of Wharton, running back Jorvorskie Lane of Lufkin, wide receiver Howard Morrow of Keller, linebacker Jodie Richardson of Duncanville, offensive lineman Michael Shumard of Killeen and defensive lineman Vincent Williams of Dallas Carter.

The Aggies went heavy for defensive backs (seven), defensive linemen (five) and receivers (five.)

"We felt like we signed just what we needed in this class," Franchione said. "We signed somebody at every position except placekicker, and, you know, probably Martellus (Bennett) could take care of that for us."

Linebacker Matt Featherston (6-2, 235) of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., qualifies as the most interesting signee of the class.

The Aggies weren't even aware of Featherston until an All-Star game at Shreveport, La., last month.

Les Koenning, the former longtime high school coach in the Houston area and father of A&M offensive coordinator Les Jr., was the coach of Featherston's team in Shreveport. Les Sr. tipped off his son after watching Featherston practice, and that got the ball rolling.

"He could be a diamond in the rough," Franchione said. "We watched some tape of his high school games, and we agreed that if Matt were in Houston, he would have all kind of offers."

Two wide receivers have the bloodlines to be top players.

Quincy Driver of Lamar is the cousin of wide receiver Donald Driver of the Green Bay Packers.

Kevin Ferguson of Kempner is the brother of former A&M receiver Robert Ferguson, who also is with the Packers.

In Franchione's first two seasons, only three true freshmen have played. Last year, only wide receiver Kerry Franks played as a true freshman.

Franchione indicated Wednesday he might be a little more liberal in taking off the redshirts in 2005.

"No doubt, there are some players who are ready to play from an athletic standpoint," Franchione said. "Martellus Bennett certainly falls in that category. The key to determining if they play is how quickly they adjust and learn the system.

"I would say there are a number of guys who will play next year."