Texas A&M + Notre Dame Offer Hooks Athlete Montrell Estell

Friday was a big day for two-way athlete Montrell Estell.

The Hooks receiver and defensive back announced new college football scholarship opportunities from Texas A&M and Notre Dame through his personal Twitter account during the evening hours.

With the two new college choices, Estell (6-2, 180) hopped into a tie with Liberty-Eylau defensive end and John Tyler receiver Damion Miller as a leader of the East Texas 2017 football recruiting class in terms of sheer opportunities. All three players have nine schools currently interested in them.

As a receiver, Estell finished the 2015 season with 34 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 380 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 11 games.

The Hooks standout recorded 64 tackles with four sacks, six forced fumbles, two recoveries and two blocked kicks as a defensive back.

Texas A&M entered the picture on the heels of Arkansas' offer to Estell on Thursday and following an 8-4 regular season plus a Music City Bowl appearance.

The program has been a primary landing spot for East Texas players during head coach Kevin Sumlin's first four seasons. Ten formerly local players lettered at Texas A&M last years as juniors or below and will return this upcoming season.

Furthermore, Mineola twin offensive tackles Austin Anderson and Riley Anderson, Athens defensive back Travon Fuller and Frankston receiver Kendrick Rodgers all signed with the program earlier this month. All four current seniors are expected to report to campus during the summer months.

Frankston senior receiver Justice Bean is a fifth local player bound for College Station, joining the Aggies as a preferred walk-on.

Texas A&M claims three national championships before World War II. It has produced two Heisman Trophy winners and 22 consensus All-Americans.

Notre Dame has not been a destination school for many East Texans, but the Fighting Irish have been somewhat active in the region. The school offered Nacogdoches safety and now-Texas signee Brandon Jones in the last recruiting cycle.

Coached by Brian Kelly, Notre Dame posted a 10-2 regular season and closed the campaign with a high-profile Fiesta Bowl appearance against Ohio State.

The Fighting Irish program claims 11 national championships dating back to 1924, was the collegiate home of seven Heisman Trophy winners and has produced 99 consensus All-Americans.

Estell, like all football players currently in their junior year, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February, 2017.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Judah Bell, Tyler Bishop Gorman, WR, 6-3, 180 — offers from Bowling Green, Houston, SMU (3)
• Lagaryonn Carson, Liberty-Eylau, DE, 6-4, 261 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M (9)
• Trestan Ebner, Henderson, WR, 5-11, 180 — committed to SMU; additional offer from Kansas (2)
• Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR, 6-2, 180 — offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane (9)
• Octavius Evans, Center, WR, 6-2, 186 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech, ULL (3)
• Jordan Johnson, Hooks, ATH, 6-0, 195 -- offer from Air Force (1)
• Kayce Medlock, Arp, ATH, 5-9, 186 — offers from SMU, ULL (2)
• Damion Miller, John Tyler, WR, 6-1, 189 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Houston, Kansas, North Texas, Oklahoma State; Ole Miss; SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (9)
• Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, CB, 6-1, 170 — offers from Houston, SMU, Texas State, ULL, UTSA (5)
• Bryson Smith, John Tyler, ATH, 5-11, 160 — offers from Bowling Green, New Mexico, SMU, Texas State, ULL (5)
• Major Tennison, Bullard, TE, 6-6, 248 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech (6)