Versatile Recruit Kendall Bussey Flips Commitment from Tennessee to Texas A&M

Three-star running back Kendall Bussey, a small but explosive runner from New Orleans, has flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Texas A&M.

"We'd like to thank the Tennessee coaching staff for everything they've done, but Kendall is going to be an Aggie," Bussey's father told Gigem247 Monday morning. "It's been a tough process, but ultimately we felt Texas A&M was the best fit for Kendall."

The younger Bussey added his own thoughts on Twitter:

Bussey is the No. 374 overall player and No. 30 running back in the country, per the 247Sports composite rankings. He is 5'8", 205 pounds and reportedly clocks a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, but he doesn't lack bulk or power. Gabe Bock of TexAgs.com shared this photo, saying Bussey deserves an extra star for his arms alone:

Bussey committed to Tennessee in December, three weeks after decommiting from Nebraska, but took an official visit to College Station in January and maintained contact with running backs coach Clarence McKinney. Before Nebraska, he was also committed to Tulane.

Tennessee has Alvin Kamara, a former Alabama running back and the No. 2 JUCO player in the country, enrolled for spring practice. It also has Jalen Hurd, the No. 40 overall player in the 2014 class, returning after a strong true freshman season. Bovada listed Hurd as a 50-1 bet to win the Heisman Trophy.

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Texas A&M has Jay Bradford, the No. 271 overall player and No. 20 running back in the country, committed ahead of Bussey this cycle. But it didn't sign a running back last cycle, and its three leading rushers from 2014, Tra Carson, Trey Williams and Brandon Williams, either declared for the NFL draft (T. Williams) or are entering their final season (Carson and B. Williams)

A&M does not need Bussey for the immediate future, but he and Bradford will be called upon in 2016 and beyond. There is more stability in College Station than in Knoxville, where Paul Fortenberry of Volquest speculated, based on Bussey's father's comments, that Tennessee wanted Bussey to take a greyshirt or a blueshirt.

It's easy to understand why he would flip.

Note: All recruiting info refers to the 247Sports composite rankings.