As Texas A&M has fallen from an 11-2 record in 2012, the school’s first year in the SEC, to 7-5 this year, it’s easy to see the reason why. The defense has been problematic, finishing last in the SEC in total defense the last two years, leading to defensive coordinator Mark Snyder’s firing. Part of the problem is the 2013 recruiting class, which hasn’t produced enough impact defensive players.

Shaan Washington, recruited as a three-star athlete, stands as one of the only hits from the class. In just nine games, Washington was the third-leading tackler on the team with 64 stops, and averaged the most tackles per game at 7.1.

Several other members of the class have not blossomed. Former three-star recruit Jordan Mastrogiovanni was inconsistent at linebacker this season, while four-star defensive tackle Justin Dunning hasn’t seen much of the field. Tommy Sanders, a JUCO transfer, didn’t play enough to make a real impact.

Victor Davis (three-star S) and Reggie Chevis (three-star LB) both redshirted last year. Davis made 19 stops in 2014, but was shut out on the score sheet in five games, while Chevis only got into three contests.

The several others were flat-out misses. Isaiah Golden (four-star DT), Kameron Miles (four-star S) and Darian Claiborne (three-star LB) have all been dismissed from the team.

Texas A&M found some gems in the 2014 class, with Myles Garrett, Otaro Alaka and Armani Watts showing major potential in their freshman year. There’s a big gap in Texas A&M’s defensive recruiting, though, it coincides with the 2013 class. If the Aggies hope to contend in the SEC West, they can’t afford another miss like that.