Signing Class Report Card: Texas A&M Aggies
Biggest Needs: Just like with Missouri, for most SEC fans Texas A&M is a bit of an unknown. However, I would bet that we know more about them than Missouri. We do know that the Aggies will have a different look next year under the leadership of first year head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin comes from Houston, and it will be interesting to see if his pass-happy style of offense will work in the SEC. Sumlin will be breaking in a new starting QB with the graduation of starting QB Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill threw for 29 touchdowns and 3,744 yards, but Sumlin will look to bring down the number of interceptions (15) with his new starter. RB Cyrus Gray is another senior that will need to be replaced, and Sumlin will find that replacing a 1,000 yard rusher in the SEC is not an easy thing to do. Jeff Fuller is a big loss at receiver, and he accounted for over 70 receptions and 800+ yards of receiving. The good news is that the whole offensive line returns completely intact in 2012. If Sumlin can find a QB to run his system, his offense could have a big year in 2012.
On defense, the Aggies will be replacing two starters up front with the graduation of DE Tony Jerod-Eddie and NT Eddie Brown. Jerod-Eddie and Brown combined for eight sacks in the 2011 season, and they were both solid contributors all year. Garrick Williams is the only loss at LB, but he only played in eight games last year so the Aggies are used to playing without him. Texas A&M has the most significant losses in the defensive backfield, because they lose three out of four starters. CB Terrance Frederick and S Trent Hunter will probably be the toughest guys to replace. Hunter was second on the team with 80 tackles, and Frederick was probably the best CB on the team. Last year the Aggies ranked 59th in the nation on total defense, and if they want to compete in the SEC West, they will need to get better quick.
Needs Met: This class feels a lot like Missouri’s to me. A&M signed a few big-name guys, and the rest of the recruits will start out pretty far down the depth chart. RB Trey Williams is one of the best running backs in the nation, and I think Williams will be a significant contributor next year. Matt Davis is a dual-threat QB that could play in certain situations next year, because Davis brings 4.4 speed to the table. The Aggies signed three receivers, and Thomas Johnson could add another deep threat to the offense. Up front, A&M signed three O-linemen, but only one recruit (Mike Matthews) looks ready to be on the two-deep depth chart next year.
Defensively the Aggies used 11 of 19 scholarships to bolster the defense. The Aggies only signed one LB, but Jordan Richmond has the potential to be a quality starting MLB. Up front A&M brought in six defensive linemen, and DE Michael Richardson is a speed-rush defensive end that could be a difference maker in a few years. DT Edmund Ray is another guy up front that could be fun to watch in a few years. Ray is going to be a giant in the middle that could stuff the run for years to come. Texas A&M brought in three defensive backs, and CB DeVante Harris looks ready to contribute right away with 4.4 speed.
Biggest Get: Trey Williams. Every team in the SEC needs a great RB, and Williams gives the Aggies the home run hitter they need at RB.
Biggest Miss: Of the top 10 players in Texas, A&M only signed two of them. That number has to get better for the Aggies to compete.
Final Evaluation: Texas has a ton of great recruits every year, and now Texas A&M is the only team in the state of Texas in the SEC. With those credentials, it seems that the Aggies should be able to get a great recruiting class. If they want to win in the SEC, it has to get a lot better than this.
Final Grade: B-
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