What Texas A&M's 2013 Recruiting Class Means for the Aggies

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program. A poor 2013 recruiting class for Texas A&M would be devastating to the program. 

Texas A&M is entering the Southeastern Conference in the fall. It is entering the most physical conference in the nation. You win in the SEC by running the ball and stopping the run, and the Ags are entering their inaugural season with major depth issues in their front seven on defense.

To address these issues, the Aggie coaches are trying to fill the holes in the depth chart through recruiting. The A&M coaches need to bring in multiple defensive tackles and linebackers to help them defend against the strong running games in the SEC.

A&M currently has six verbal commitments in their recruiting class on the defensive line and at linebacker. With Jay Arnold, Jordan Points, Isaiah Golden, Kerrick Huggins, Reggie Chevis and Brett Wade committed, the Ags have the making of a tremendous recruiting class. Those are players who will go a long way toward building a foundation for future defensive success in the SEC.

There is a long time until signing day in February. If the Aggies struggle in their inaugural season in the SEC, then it could cause some of these commits to reconsider their verbal pledges. It is extremely important for Texas A&M to have some success in conference games in 2012.

If they struggle on the field and lose some recruits, it will have cataclysmic effects in the program. If the Aggies cannot recruit elite talent to their team, then they will not be able to build a successful program in the SEC.

It is a self defeating cycle. You need to recruit great athletes to win, but it is hard bring in top recruits if you are not winning.

A poor 2013 recruiting class could start this perilous cycle for the Aggies. If they are not able to build a foundation for their defense now, they could struggle on defense for years to come.

Most A&M fans expect the football team to struggle in 2012. The large majority of Aggies expect to lose four to five games in 2012. 

If these mediocre seasons continue, then the Aggies will lose patience with the new coaching staff and eventually fire them. Great football programs are based on the longevity of their coaching staffs. It takes time to build a program and identify the right talent to fit your system.

If you are constantly switching coaching staffs in the search for a winning head coach, you are not going to be able to establish your system. Aggie fans can identify with this cycle as they have been witnessing it first hand ever since R.C. Slocum was fired.

The immediate future of the Aggie program relies on this staff. It is the first class that will be recruited entirely by Kevin Sumlin.

If he can hold onto the recruits that he currently has committed and add more difference makers in this class, then it will set A&M for success in the SEC. If Sumlin cannot hold this class together, then it will likely lead to his eventual dismissal as the head coach of Texas A&M.