Texas A&M Recruiting: Are Aggies Better Fit Than Washington for 4-Star DE?

Joe Mathis has reopened his recruitment, with Washington and Texas A&M seemingly at the top.

The 4-star defensive end has only two visits scheduled this fall, with one of them visiting the Huskies and the other visiting the Aggies. 

Mathis, who once was committed to Washington, told Rivals that he no longer has a top-three preference with Washington, Michigan and Nebraska. Rather, he has a top 10 with both Texas A&M and Washington included. 

Mathis told Rivals' Adam Gorney that, though he enjoys Washington, he is eager to meet Texas A&M's coaching staff.

"I've had a long relationship with Washington," Mathis said. "I feel comfortable around them. With Texas A&M I want to go see what all these coaches are talking about. I want to absorb all this stuff."

So, could Texas A&M reel in this big-time recruit? The team could use more 4-star recruits, as 19 of their 27 commits are 3-stars, according to 247 Sports. Mathis is considered to be the No. 71-best prospect in the nation, according to Rivals and No. 249 on ESPN's 300.

But does Mathis fit well there?

Well, Mathis is a 6'4", 254-pound defensive end who has the skills to play down and at linebacker. Interestingly enough, Washington is a 4-3 defense that will make the switch to 3-4, while the Aggies will make the opposite switch. Changes are being made after both teams hired new defensive coordinators. 

Playing with the Aggies and their new 4-3 defense in 2012 might limit him to playing on the defensive line only. 

In Washington's 3-4 system, Mathis will have more freedom to roam around, and that might have an impact on his decision. 

But the Aggies' new defensive coordinator, Mark Snyder, is a knowledgeable defensive coach. After all, he's coached some of the best defenses in the nation when he was at Ohio State from 2001-04. And in his last two seasons, he made South Florida's defense downright scary.  Snyder helped make the Bulls the 17th-best defense in the nation in 2010 and 39th last season.

No wonder Mathis wants to talk to Snyder. 

Snyder has yet to secure a prime-time defensive end in their 2013 recruiting class though, while the Huskies have a commit in 4-star weak-side defensive end Daeshon Hall. This could serve as another pitch for head coach Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M.

The Aggies need to add a high-caliber defensive end to their recruiting, and Mathis could serve as that guy. Though Snyder's making a switch to the 4-3 defense, the intangibles he brings to the table for the Aggies defense may be too good to pass up for Mathis.