Texas A&M Football Recruiting: Tracking 2012 National Signing Day Targets

On Wednesday a select group of high school football players across the nation will sign their letters of intent to play the next four years at the college of their choice.

National Signing Day has become an annual holiday for college football fans whose emotions ebb and flow with the decisions of 17-year-old men ho have never done anything on the college football field.

This class starts a new era for Texas A&M Football. This class will be the first Aggie recruiting class in the Southeastern Conference and the first class of the Kevin Sumlin era.

The 2012 recruiting class will go a long way towards determining the national perception of the A&M program. The Aggies have immediate needs in the secondary, on the defensive line and at running back. The Aggies need to address these needs so they can be successful in their inaugural season in the SEC.

This is a look at all of the recruits who are considering A&M, some analysis of those recruits and their current status. Keep an eye on this article for the latest news on the recruits in the Class of 2012.

Thomas Johnson, WR, Skyline HS, Dallas, TX

Thomas Johnson is the top wide receiver recruit in the state of Texas and a top-50 national player.

Johnson has ideal wide receiver size at 6'0" and 180 lbs. He runs a 4.4 40 and is an explosive playmaker. Johnson caught 59 passes for 1,077 yards and 13 touchdowns while leading Skyline to the 5A state semifinals.

He averaged 18.3 yards per reception and is one of the most dynamic players in the state.

Rivals.com has Johnson ranked as the 5th overall player in the state and 34th nationally.

Johnson should step in and see playing time immediately as a true freshman. He has made big plays in big games throughout his career and is ready for the next level.

Johnson originally committed to Texas but de-committed in January and is expected to announce his college choice on ESPN on National Signing Day.

Committed to Texas A&M on 2/1

Polo Manukainniu, DE, Trinity HS, Euless, TX

Polo Manukainiu played defensive end in Euless Trinity's 3-4 scheme. He can play both inside and outside in college depending on the scheme.

Manukainiu is 6'5", 250 lbs. and has surprising quickness for his size. He should fill out in college and should push 300 lbs. as he gets a little thicker.

Manukainiu is simply a player that the Aggies must land. He will see playing time from day one in the SEC. He will play defensive tackle for the Aggies when they are in the 4-3 and defensive end when they are in a three man front.

Manukainiu verbally committed to A&M in front of a television audience on a regional Fox broadcast to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The Aggies have struggled to land inside defensive linemen in the past two years and Manukainiu is a big get for Sumlin and the staff.

Rivals ranks Manukainiu as the No. 48 overall player in the state.

The Ags beat out Baylor for Manukainiu's pledge. This is the first time in recent memory that the Aggies have flipped an Oklahoma commit. The last time was when Duncanville High School ATH Pierre Brown chose the Aggies over the Sooners on signing day in 2004.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Edward Pope, ATH, Carthage HS, Carthage, TX

Edward Pope is a rangy athlete who projects as a safety at the next level.

Pope is 6'3", 170 lbs. and has been timed at 4.4 in the 40.

He stood out among the best of the best at the US Army All-American Bowl.

Pope just completed an official visit to A&M and according to Gabe Brooks of the Longview News-Journal he has given a verbal pledge to the Aggies.

Rivals ranks Pope as the No. 28 player in the state.

Pope is a great example of the kind of long, fast athlete you need in the SEC. You take as many athletes like Pope as you possibly can. With the addition of Pope to the class the Aggies arguably have the best secondary class in the nation.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Seaver Meyers, OT, Friendswood HS, Friendswood, TX

Seaver Meyers is a 6'5", 290-pound offensive lineman from Friendswood High School. Meyers projects as a right tackle in college.

Meyers found his way on the Aggies' radar when Aledo offensive tackle Michael Wilson decommitted from the Ags and pledged to Oklahoma State.

Meyers has a nice frame but lacks the agile feet you would like to see from a left tackle prospect, which is why he will end up at right tackle or guard in college.

No matter where he ends up in college, Meyers will need to redshirt during his freshman year in order to lose some bad weight.

MaxPreps has Meyers ranked as the No. 307 player in the state.

Current Status: Committed to SMU

Hassan Ridgeway, DE, Mansfield HS, Mansfield, TX

Hassan Ridgeway flirted with the idea of visiting Texas A&M all fall and then finally decided to take an official visit the weekend before signing day. I guess better late than never. According to Billy Liucci from TexAgs.com, this is Ridgeway's second visit to A&M in as many weekends.

Ridgeway measured in at the US Army All-American Bowl at 6'3", 233 lbs.

He is one of the elite defensive ends in the state and received an early scholarship offer from Mike Sherman.

Ridgeway has surprising strength for such a young player and very good speed off the edge.

Scout ranks Ridgeway as the No. 33 overall player in the state.

He is already strong enough and talented enough to see playing time in the SEC as a true freshman.

The question for Ridgeway is whether he will see immediate playing time in the SEC or the Big 12 this fall.

Current Status: Committed to Texas

Adrian Bellard, OL, Brenham HS, Brenham, TX

Adrian Bellard is an elite offensive guard. He is a mauler who has quick feet and excels when pulling.

Bellard is 6'4", 285 lbs. and could be a four-year player, starting at offensive guard in the SEC.

He needs to work on his punch at initial contact. He looks great when he pulls and gets to the next level.

Scout has Bellard ranked as the No. 36 offensive guard in the nation.

There are some questions about whether or not Bellard will qualify and he may have to spend two years at a junior college before coming to A&M.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Kimo Tipoti, OL, L.D. Bell HS, Hurst, TX

Kimo Tipoti is the best offensive guard prospect the Aggies have brought on campus in years. He is probably the best guard prospect to come out of the DFW area in at least five years. He is a 6'3", 330-pound blocking machine.

As a junior, Tipoti was the high school version of Larry Allen. He dominated whoever he lined up against.

As a senior, Tipoti put on 30 or 40 lbs. of bad weight and was not quite as effective. He played some offensive tackle as a senior and showed pretty good feet.

He will need to redshirt and lose about 30 lbs. when he arrives on campus so he can play around 310.

Rivals ranks Tipoti is the No. 22 offensive guard in the nation.

Tipoti is one of the best run-blocking offensive linemen that I have ever seen. If he can get into better shape, he is a potential All-American at guard. He should play on Sundays.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Mike Matthews, C, Elkins HS, Missouri City, TX

Mike Matthews is a 6'3", 260-pound center.

Matthews may have the best blood lines of any player in college football: he is the third in the line of Matthews brothers to play for A&M.

Kevin Matthews played center for two years at A&M and now plays for the Tennesee Titans. Jake Matthews has started the past two years at right tackle for the Ags.

His father is NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, who many consider one of the best offensive linemen of all time.

As you would expect, Matthews is a great tactician at center. He has great feet and is very strong. He performed exceptionally well at the US Army All-American Bowl.

Rivals has Matthews ranked as the No. 1 center in the country.

Matthews should redshirt in 2012 and then be a four-year starter at A&M on the way to the NFL.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Bralon Addison, WR, Hightower HS, Fort Bend, TX

Bralon Addison is an electrifying playmaker who will see immediate playing time at wide receiver and on special teams in 2012.

He played quarterback in 2011 and led the Hightower Hurricanes to the 5A state final. He is a top-100 national recruit.

At 5'11", 175 lbs., he should see time in the slot for the Ags.

Addison passed for over 2,158 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,625 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. He punted, returned punts and returned kicks for Hightower.

Rivals has Addison ranked as the 18th best receiver in the nation.

Addison originally committed to Oklahoma State but he de-committed from the Cowboys and then committed to the Aggies in May. He has stuck with his commitment.

Addison is childhood friends with fellow A&M recruits Matt Davis and Trey Williams.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Sabian Holmes, WR, Carroll HS, Southlake, TX

Sabian Holmes is a 5'11", 175-pound receiving prospect for the Aggies.

He played wide receiver and corner back for the Southlake Carroll High School team that defeated Bralon Addison's Hightower team for the 5A Texas State Championship.

Holmes originally committed to Baylor but decommitted when the Aggies offered. Kevin Sumlin wanted more speed in the wide receiver corps and Holmes brings speed to the table.

He was part of the Carroll 4x100 relay team that won state in 2011.

Holmes played big in big games and had a great run during the playoffs. He had 85 receptions for 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns for the season.

Scout has Holmes ranked as the No. 69 corner back in the nation.

Holmes' father Tony played wide receiver for Texas.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Trent Momon, WR, Hempstead HS, Hempstead, TX

Trent Momon is a 6'5", 190-pound wide receiver from Hempstead.

He played wide receiver and defensive back in high school but projects as a wide receiver in college.

He will likely need a year to redshirt in order to get used to a higher level of football and add some good weight.

Momon had 50 receptions for 720 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.

Rivals has Momon ranked as the No 90 wide receiver in the country.

He should help the Aggies on the outside in 2013.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Trey Williams, RB, Dekaney HS, Spring, TX

Trey Williams is the most important player in the 2012 recruiting class for the Aggies.

Some would argue that he is the best running back in the nation. Williams put together one of the best seasons in the history of Texas High School Football, rushing for 3,884 yards and 48 touchdowns while carrying his Dekaney team of the Class 5A State Championship.

The 5'8", 180-pound running back has legitimate 4.3 speed in the 40. He is a threat to break it every time he touches the ball.

The Aggies have had to fend off Oregon and Arkansas as Williams' recruitment has headed towards signing day.

Rivals has Williams ranked as the No. 15 overall player in the country.

Williams has exceptional speed and change of direction. He will have to work on becoming more of a one-cut back in college.

Williams will play from day one in the SEC and should be an impact player.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Julien Obioha, DE, Brother Martin HS, New Orleans, LA

Julien Obioha is a 6'3", 250-pound defensive end from New Orleans.

Mike Sherman had a lot of success recruiting in Louisiana and received an early commitment from Obioha in July of 2011.

When Kevin Sumlin took over he was able to hold onto the commitment.

Rivals has Obioha ranked as the No. 26 player in the state of Louisiana.

Obioha shows nice speed off the edge. He projects as a defensive end in Mark Snyder's 4-3 scheme. Obioha should play defensive end in both the four-man and three-man fronts for the Ags. He will likely need a year to redshirt to add some weight.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Michael Richardson, DE, Desoto HS, Desoto, TX

Michael Richardson played defensive end in Desoto's 3-4 scheme. He is 6'3" and a rock-solid 230 lbs.

Richardson projects as a weak side defensive end when the Aggies are in a 4-3 and will move to outside linebacker when the Aggies are in the 3-4. He will compete for playing time in 2012 behind Damontre Moore and Brandon Alexander.

Richardson shows great strength at the point of attack and is very strong against the run.

In college he is going to have to work on his explosiveness off the snap.

Rivals has Richardson ranked as the No. 47 player in the state.

Richardson is physically able to play in 2012 but will likely redshirt, considering the Ags' depth at weak side defensive end.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Tyrone Taylor, DE, Galena Park HS, Galena Park, TX

Tyrone Taylor is one of the more overlooked recruits in the Aggies' 2012 class.

He committed during his junior year of high school when his older brother Tyrell Taylor pledged to the Aggies.

Tyrell Taylor saw some action at outside linebacker as a true freshman in 2011. His younger brother is one of the tougher players to project.

He lost some weight and was down to 210 as a senior. Tyrone Taylor is listed at 6'3", 210 lbs. as a senior. He was 230 as a junior.

He is explosive off the edge and I think he will end up at defensive end in college. Much like Michael Richardson, he could end up at defensive end in the 4-3 and offensive linebacker in the 3-4.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Alonzo Williams, DE, Long Beach Poly HS, Long Beach, CA

Alonzo Williams is the most underrated player in the 2012 class.

The 6'4", 250-pound defensive end transferred from Abbeville, LA to Long Beach as a senior. He was recruited out of Louisiana by Mike Sherman and committed back in February of 2011.

He moved to California and dominated his senior season. He played defensive tackle and defensive end for the legendary Poly program. He was under the radar on the west coast but he took his play on the field to another level.

He has great power and speed. He is everything you look for in a defensive line prospect in high school.

Rivals has Williams ranked as the No. 78 player in the state of California.

He should help the Aggies at defensive end in 2012 but may eventually grow into a defensive tackle. Williams was one of the most important recruits in this class in that he projects to be an elite defensive lineman at the next level.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Jordan Richmond, LB, Denton Ryan HS, Denton, TX

Jordan Richmond is a 6'2", 220-pound inside linebacker and running back for the Denton Ryan Raiders. Richmond starred at linebacker for one of the top defenses in the state in 2012.

Richmond is the Aggies' only inside linebacker recruit for 2012. He should see immediate playing time behind Jonathan Stewart at middle linebacker.

Richmond has above-average speed and is very strong at the point of attack. He has good instincts and very little wasted motion. He could be the first member of the class of 2012 to see the field for the Aggies because of the Ags' glaring need for inside linebackers.

Rivals ranks Richmond as the No. 33 player in the state.

He could use a year to redshirt in order to add size and speed but depth issues at the position are going to force Richmond on the field right away.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Devante Harris, CB, Mesquite Horn HS, Mesquite, TX

Devante Harris has an interesting story. His father played football for A&M and he grew up wanting to be an Aggie.

Harris was 5'9" at the start of his senior season and was deemed too small by the A&M coaches. He verbally committed to Oklahoma. When Kevin Sumlin took over the program he began to recruit Harris, who had a growth spurt during his senior year and now stands at 5'11."

Kevin Sumlin offered Harris a scholarship and he decommitted from the Sooners and made a verbal pledge to the Aggies. This marks the first time in a long while that the Aggies have flipped an OU recruit.

Harris is the top cover corner in the state. The Aggies experienced tremendous struggles in the secondary in 2011 and Harris could see immediate playing time in 2012.

Rivals ranked Harris as the No. 3 corner in the nation.

The Aggies have not landed a corner rated this highly since Sammy Davis in 1999.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Darion Monroe, DB, East St, John HS, Reserve, LA

Darion Monroe is a high school quarterback who projects as a defensive back at the college level.

He attended East St. John High School which is the alma mater of current Aggie football players Floryd Raven and Patrick Lewis.

Monroe is a member of the Aggies' deep recruiting class in the secondary. He and all of the incoming freshmen will have a chance for immediate playing time in 2012.

Monroe is 5'11", 175 lbs. and has good speed. He could play either safety or corner for the Aggies.

Rivals ranks Monroe as the No. 11 overall player in Louisiana.

Current Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Corey Thompson, S, Elkins HS, Missouri City, TX

Corey Thompson is a high school teammate of Aggie commit Mike Matthews.

Thompson is one of the more physically imposing recruits in the class, standing 6'2" and weighing 202 lbs. He looks like an NFL safety right now.

Thompson is a ferocious hitter who has great range at safety. He is physically ready to play in the SEC right now. Thompson should team with Howard Matthews to give the Ags the tallest secondary they have had in quite some time.

Rivals ranks Thompson as the No. 18 safety in the country.

Thompson's father, Tony Thompson, played wide receiver for the Aggies.

Updated: Committed to LSU

Kenneth Marshall, DB, South Houston HS, Houton, TX

Kenneth Marshall has had an interesting senior year. He graduated high school a semester early and signed with Texas A&M. He enrolled at A&M for the spring semester only to be informed by the NCAA that there was an issue with his transcript, and as a result he would have to wait until the fall to enroll with the rest of the 2012 class.

Evidently that issue has been resolved and he is now at A&M taking classes and working out with the team.

Marshall originally committed to Oklahoma State but Mike Sherman and the Aggie coaches flipped him.

Marshall is 6'0", 185 lbs. and will be looked at as a corner and safety by the Aggie coaches. He played linebacker as a senior in high school and showed excellent tackling skills, regularly registering over 20 tackles per game.

Marshall comes in at No. 88 on the Rivals state 100 list.

He is a physical defensive back who is a sure tackler. He should help the Ags tremendously against the great running games in the SEC.

Current Status: Enrolled at Texas A&M

Otis Jacobs, CB, Gulf Coast C.C. Perkinson, MS

Otis Jacobs is one of two junior college signees in the Ags 2012 class. He signed with the Ags during the early signing period for juco players and is currently on campus attending classes and working out with the football team.

Jacobs is a 6'1", 180-pound corner back. He has the size and speed to be an elite corner in the SEC. He is a legitimate 4.4 guy in the 40.

Jacobs is a great punt and kick returner and should get a serious look as a kick returner for 2012.

Jacobs verbally committed to Mike Sherman but opened his recruiting up when Sherman was fired. He then committed to Tennessee. On the day that early graduates from junior college signed their letters of intent, Jacobs surprised many by signing with Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies.

Do not be surprised to see Jacobs starting at corner in the first game of 2012.

Current Status: Enrolled at Texas A&M

Derel Walker, WR, Trinity Valley C.C. Athens, TX

Kevin Sumlin got the chance to watch the Aggies' practices as they prepared for the Texas Bowl. He felt the Aggies needed more speed at wide receiver and set about finding some.

Sumlin and wide receiver coach David Beaty offered Derel Walker a scholarship and he jumped on it.

Walker is an early enrollee who is on campus and is working out with the team right now. The 6'2", 175-pound wide receiver has 4.4 speed in the 40.

Walker had over 1,000 receiving yards in 2011 and will see immediate playing time in 2012.

Current Status: Enrolled at Texas A&M

Matt Davis, QB, Klein Forest HS, Houston, TX

Matt Davis is already the leader of this recruiting class. The 6'2", 202-pound quarterback helped keep this class together during the coaching change.

Davis was named the offensive MVP of the Gridiron Kings national 7-on-7 tournament during the summer of 2011. Bralon Addison, Trey Williams, Devante Harris and Thiomas Johnson played on Davis' team that won the national tournament.

As a senior Davis completed 94 of 198 passes for 1,483 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns. Davis struggled to carry his team during his senior season but is arguably the top quarterback in the state of Texas.

Rivals ranks Davis as the number three quarterback in the nation.

Davis sat out his junior season while recovering from a knee injury suffered during the first game of the season.

Davis graduated high school a semester early and is enrolled at A&M and working out with the team. He actually hosted a couple of members of this recruiting class during their official visits.

He will compete with the other three quarterbacks on campus for the starting job this spring, but expect Davis to redshirt during the 2012 season.

Davis is already a fan favorite among Aggies fans because of the loyalty he showed to the school during the coaching change and how he kept the 2012 class together.

Current Status: Enrolled at Texas A&M