Texas A&M Recruiting: Grading the Aggies 2012 Class, Assessing 2013 Needs

Signing day has come and gone and now it is time to look at how the Texas A&M Football Team fared.

The Aggies did not meet their top 10 preseason expectations in 2011 and struggled to a 7-6 season. Mike Sherman was fired as the head coach and replaced by Kevin Sumlin. Despite all of this turmoil the Aggie coaches were able to sign a consensus top 15 recruiting class.

The Aggies can make an argument that they brought in the best quarterback, running back and wide receiver in the state of Texas.

In addition to signing the likes of Matt Davis, Trey Williams and Thomas Johnson, the Ags addressed a major need by adding some defensive line depth.

In adding defensive ends Julien Obioha, Polo Manukainiu, Michael Richardson, Tyrone Taylor, Alonzo WIllams and defensive tackle Edmund Ray, the Aggies ensured that they will have some options on the defensive line in 2012.

You need to be three-deep at every position in the Southeastern Conference so expect to see three or four of those six defensive line signees to see the field in 2012.

The Aggies signed three solid offensive linemen in Germain Ifedi, Mike Matthews and Kimo Tipoti. All three should redshirt. Expect Matthews to take over at center in 2013 after Patrick Lewis completed his eligibility.

When Kevin Sumlin arrived on campus and watched a few practices, he felt the Aggies needed more speed at wide receiver. He addressed this issue by signing Sabian Holmes, Johnson and JUCO wide receiver Derel Walker.

Walker is on campus working out with the team right now and should compete for a starting spot in the fall.

The Aggies only signed one linebacker and lost a couple of defensive back recruits late.

They did manage to sign Devante Harris who is the top cover corner in the state and should play as a true freshman.

The Aggies have very good quality throughout their class. They addressed some major needs but left some issues lingering. They could have used two more inside linebacker and at least one more interior defensive lineman.

Taking into consideration the fact that Kevin Sumlin and his staff had a short time to recruit you have to give him a grade of "B+." He lost some top recruits late but he also added some very good ones. Sumlin and the coaching staff will have to address those needs at defensive tackle and linebacker in the 2013 class.

Looking Forward to 2013

The Aggies are off to a great start in the 2013 class with five recruits already committed. 

The Aggies have Christian Lacouture and Isaiah Golden committed on the defensive line. Golden is a junior in high school and could probably step in and give the Aggies quality minutes at nose tackle right now.

He and fellow '13 commit Derrick Griffin will be ranked among the top 10 played in the state of Texas next year.

Kohl Stewart is arguably the best passing quarterback in the state. He could extend the Aggies' streak to three years in a row that they have signed the top signal caller in Texas.

Jamar Gibson has been described as a Dez Bryant-type talent. It remains to be seen whether the junior wide receiver will be that kind of player in college, but you have to like his chances in Kevin Sumlin's offense.

The 2013 class for the Aggies will need to be heavy on defense. Look for the Ags to sign at least four defensive linemen, three to four linebackers and at least four defensive backs. On offense, expect them to try to ink one quarterback, two running backs, three to four wide receivers and at least four offensive linemen.

The Aggies have a tremendous group of players already committed and look like they are well on their way to bringing in another top 15 class in 2013.