College football's 2013 National Signing Day is in the books and Athlon Sports kicks off its 2013 team recruiting rankings countdown with an in-depth look at the best classes in the nation. No team in the nation has capitalized more on its recent conference defection than the Texas A&M Aggies. Yes, finally hiring a quality coach and a redshirt freshman Heisman Trophy winner help, but make no mistake, the little "SEC" logo on shoulder pads and coaching polos is making the biggest impact on the recruiting trail. And with the recent struggles of Mack Brown at Texas, the Lone Star State could be up for grabs.
No. 8: Texas A&M Aggies
SEC: Fifth
Athlon Consensus 100 Signees: 3
National Signees: 9
Total Signees: 32
Where They Got 'Em:
The battle for the state of Texas could be one of the more intriguing recruiting tugs-of-war to watch over the next few years. Kevin Sumlin has the Aggies brand riding at an all-time high, and while the Longhorns are always the biggest program in the state, he has noticeably closed the in-state gap. The Aggies landed 23 players from the Lone Star State, including eight nationally ranked prospects. It's the exact same number that Mack Brown landed at Texas this year and that is a huge step in the right direction for Sumlin.
New SEC territories, Louisiana (3) and Georgia (2), delivered five prospects to College Station while Sumlin went out West for a total of four players from California (2), Hawaii and Arizona.
Related: Athlon Sports Top 25 Recruiting Classes for 2013
Areas of Focus:
The overall depth of this class is tremendous. In fact, some are wondering how Texas A&M is going to get all 32 players under the scholarship limitations (star wideout Derrick Griffin doesn't even count). But with eight early enrollees counting back towards the 2012 class, Sumlin should be able to restock his roster with one of the largest hauls in the nation. And the passing game stands out like a Johnny Manziel touchdown run.
Six wide receivers, one tight end and two quarterbacks give Sumlin and his high-flying passing attack an entirely new toy box. Ricky Seals-Jean is the top-rated player in this class and brings a massive (6-5, 225) frame to the vertical passing game. Smallish speedsters Sebastian Larue and LaQuvionte Gonzalez will be dynamic in the slot and short passing game. And former AC100 (2012) wide receiver Ja'Quay Williams will finally get to a college campus after a year of prep school. He is an elite 6-3, 210-pound big-play machine who might be the most gifted pass-catcher in the class. Toss in former Tennessee tight end Cameron Clear and Manziel should have loads of weapons to throw to.
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Backing up Manziel will be two nationally ranked quarterback prospects from Texas. Few teams can lure more than one elite player at this position but the chance to play in Sumlin's system is obviously a big draw. Kohl Stewart (6-2, 200) and Kenny Hill (6-1, 215) each bring a different style to the position. Stewart was a three-star prospect who is more of a pure passer while Hill earned Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and 5A Offensive Player of the Year honors at storied Southlake (Texas) Carroll. Technically, Manziel could leave A&M for the NFL following the 2013 season and having two elite passers to back him up is quite a luxury.
One running back and three offensive line prospects also signed with the Aggies in this class. None are considered nationally ranked prospects.
Even though Sumlin is an offensive coach with an elite scheme, he understands that to win in the SEC he will have to be strong on defense. In particular, the front seven. He signed six defensive lineman and linebackers in this class, completely restocking his defensive front. The defensive line is especially talented as three of the top five players in this class will play along the D-line. Justin Manning and Isaiah Golden are stud tackles who will stabilize the interior of the line while Daeshon Hall, a late signing day flip-flop from Washington, gives the line a tremendous pass-rushing presence. Jay Arnold and Jordan Points will join Hall on the outside while Hardreck Walker will play inside with Manning and Golden. This was a key area of focus and could be the key to success in the SEC.
None of the six-man linebacking class were nationally ranked but they are an extremely deep and versatile group. The seven-man secondary class was headlined by nationally ranked safety Kameron Miles. He is one of four safeties to sign with the Aggies. Sumlin also signed three cornerbacks to bolster the outside of his pass defense. His defensive class isn't loaded with five-star talent but it is one of the deepest groups in the nation with 19 signees headed for that side of the ball.
Related: National Signing Day 2013 Winners and Losers
Positional Breakdown:
Offense: QB: 2, RB: 1, WR: 6, TE: 1, OL: 3
Defense: DL: 6, LB: 6, DB: 7, ATH: 0
AC100/National Recruits:
AC100 | Name | Pos. | Pos. Rk | Hometown | Ht | Wt |
25. | Ricky Seals-Jean | WR | No. 3 | Sealy, Texas | 6-5 | 225 |
76. | Justin Manning | DT | No. 15 (DL) | Dallas, Texas | 6-1 | 270 |
94. | Isaiah Golden | DT | No. 17 (DL) | Carthage, Texas | 6-2 | 320 |
127. | Sebastian Larue | WR | No. 15 | Los Angeles, Calif. | 5-11 | 180 |
136. | Daeshon Hall | DE | No. 24 (DL) | Lancaster, Texas | 6-6 | 225 |
170. | Kohl Stewart | QB | No. 16 | Tomball, Texas | 6-2 | 200 |
185. | LaQuvionte Gonzalez | WR | No. 22 | Cedar Hill, Texas | 5-10 | 165 |
195. | Kameron Miles | S | No. 32 (DB) | Mesquite, Texas | 6-1 | 215 |
219. | Kenny Hill | QB | No. 23 | Southlake, Texas | 6-1 | 215 |
Early Enrollees:
Name | Pos. | Hometown | Ht | Wt | AC100 |
Reggie Chevis | LB | Houston, Texas | 6-1 | 255 | -- |
Cameron Clear | TE | Yuma, Ariz. | 6-6 | 270 | JUCO |
A.J. Hilliard | LB | Klein, Texas | 6-2 | 210 | Transfer |
Jordan Points | DE | Rockwall, Texas | 6-3 | 255 | -- |
Tommy Sanders | LB | Butler, Kan. | 6-2 | 210 | JUCO |
Alex Sezer Jr | CB | Orange, Texas | 5-9 | 180 | -- |
Brett Wade | LB | Kennedale, Texas | 6-1 | 225 | -- |
Ja'Quay Williams | WR | Fork Union, Va. | 6-3 | 210 | Prep School |
Athlon Sports 2013 Recruiting Classes:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
4. Florida Gators
5. Michigan Wolverines
6. Ole Miss Rebels
7. LSU Tigers
