Texas A&M’s 2016 recruiting class ranked 18th in the country, according to 247 Sports.

Coach Kevin Sumlin signed 21 recruits, including seven four-star prospects. Justin Madubuike, a 6-foot-2.5, 250-pound defensive end from McKinney, Texas, was the Aggies’ top recruit, ranking 56th overall in the nation.

Other four-stars included: OT Kellen Diesch, WRs Quartney Davis and Clyde Chriss, CBs Travon Fuller and Charles Oliver, LB Aaron Hansford and RB Trayveon Williams, who had already enrolled.

LONESTAR STATE BATTLE

Any satisfaction from the Aggies’ No. 18 national ranking was tempered by an unexpectedly strong day by in-state rival Texas, which was No. 11 in the rankings late Wednesday afternoon.

At No. 10 in the Lonestar State player rankings, Madubuike was the Aggies’ top in-state recruit. Diesch ranked 17th and Davis was 21st. Baylor and Ole Miss each signed two top 10 players in the state. Texas signed five of the state’s top 19 players and eight of the top 33.

Baylor and Texas Christian also brought in strong classes. Houston held onto five-star DT Ed Oliver. Florida, Stanford and LSU also signed top 10 Texas recruits.

RECRUITING ON THE EDGE

The Aggies’ class included three receivers, two running backs, two cornerbacks and a safety. Two other recruits were classified as athletes and probably will play outside.

Sumlin was particularly pleased to add Hansford, a 6-2, 210-pounder listed as a linebacker, but slotted for offense by the Aggies coaching staff.

The Aggies lost starting CBs Brandon Williams and De’Vante Harris as well as RB Tra Carson. Fuller, Oliver, Davis, Chriss and Williams could have an opportunity to play as freshmen.

Texas A&M did not sign a defensive tackle, but did sign two defensive ends. The Aggies signed only two linebackers, one inside and one outside.

The Aggies did sign four offensive tackles. But Diesch was the only four-star among them, and two ranked at the bottom of the recruiting class. Colton Prater, the only offensive guard who signed, was also near the bottom.

STEADYING THE SHIP

The Aggies’ recruiting class should go down as a big success, especially after the team’s shaky finish, including the transfers of QBs Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray and the bowl loss to Louisville.

Sumlin found four-star recruits to replace starters on the corners. Dropback QB Nick Starkel adds needed depth with transfer Trevor Knight good for only a one-year solution and incumbent Jake Hubenak entering his junior season.

SIGNEES

  • Justin Madubuike, DE, four-star
  • Kellen Diesch, OL, four-star
  • Quartney Davis, WR, four-star
  • Aaron Hansford, LB, four-star
  • Clyde Chriss, WR, four-star
  • Travon Fuller, CB, four-star
  • Charles Oliver, CB, four-star
  • Tyrel Dodson, LB, three-star
  • Austin Anderson, OT, three-star
  • Ikenna Okeke, S, three-star
  • Rakeem Boyd, RB, three-star
  • Kendrick Rogers, WR, three-star
  • Alton Robinson, DE, three-star
  • Nick Starkel, QB, three-star
  • Moses Reynolds, ATH, three-star
  • Riley Anderson, OT, three-star
  • Clifford Chattman, ATH, three-star
  • Ryan McCollum, OT, three-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

  • Trayveon Williams, RB, four-star
  • Colton Prater, OG, three-star
  • Braden Mann, K, three-star

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to recruiting rankings are to the 247Sports.com industry composite ranking.