Does Texas or Texas A&M Have Early Upper Hand with State's Top 2016 Recruits?

Texas and Texas A&M no longer play each other on the football field, so fans have had to find a new way to talk wins, losses and bragging rights. College football recruiting has been that avenue for the past couple of years.

In that time, Texas A&M has won that battle over Texas. According to the 247Sports team rankings, the Aggies had the fifth-best 2014 class, compared to the Longhorns' 17th-ranked class. Texas A&M was ranked No. 9 in 2013, while Texas was again No. 17.

Fast forward to 2015. The Longhorns have returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2012, when they assembled the No. 2 class. Texas now has the No. 10 class, and Texas A&M sits at No. 11.

With both teams now at full staff—Texas coach Charlie Strong has added Jeff Traylor and Brick Haley to the coaching roster, per Justin Wells of Inside Texas—the 2016 class is wide open for both teams. It's still too early to tell if Texas has completely turned the tide or if Texas A&M still holds the edge with future college athletes.

What we do know, however, is who the programs have recruited. We also know that the programs will be fighting over the same athletes.

Open spring practices will be excellent opportunities for recruits to form opinions of each program.

Texas will have its Orange-White spring game on April 18, and that should give a good first impression one way or the other.

Because Kyle Field is undergoing renovations, Texas A&M will not have a spring game for the second straight year. Renovations are expected to be complete by August, per Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle.

Visits will be key, as well. As always, the official visits can make or break a program, particularly during the football season and with a marquee opponent on the schedule.

The weekend of Oct. 16 should be huge for Texas A&M, as the Aggies host Alabama. The weekend of Nov. 6 could be big, too, as Texas A&M hosts Auburn.

For Texas, the weekend of Oct. 23 could be big, as the Longhorns host Kansas State. Oct. 10 is the annual Red River Rivalry, pitting Texas against Oklahoma, and while it's not an official visit, college decisions of the past have been decided because of the atmosphere at the Cotton Bowl.

Currently, the Longhorns have three commitments in 4-star wide receivers Collin Johnson and Reggie Hemphill-Mapps and 3-star linebacker Demarco Boyd, the younger brother of 4-star Texas signee Kris Boyd.

Although Texas likes its recruiting start, Texas A&M holds the edge through the first part of February. Gregory Little is not only a 5-star offensive lineman but the nation's top-ranked player in the 2016 class. At 6'5" and 282 pounds, Little will be the cornerstone of the Aggies' offensive line when Kevin Sumlin feels its his time to lead.

Texas A&M also has two 4-star commits in cornerback/athlete Travon Fuller and wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland. The Aggies also have special teams help coming in 3-star kicker Braden Mann.

Per 247Sports, Texas A&M is currently No. 16 in the 2016 team rankings, and Texas is No. 20. But both teams will be battling over the same in-state talent until next February. Athletes like defensive tackle Ed Oliver and safeties Eric Monroe, Brandon Jones and Deontay Anderson—all 5-star talents—could be huge in-state gets that sway who will run the state in recruiting.

Monroe, Jones and Anderson all remain uncommitted and wide open with their processes. Per Courtney Roland of Rivals, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss and Auburn are in the hunt for Anderson, but one of his high school teammates is Hemphill-Mapps, so Texas fans are hoping persuasion within the locker room will result in a commitment.

Monroe, the nation's top-ranked safety, was at Texas A&M's junior day on Jan. 25 and has taken a few unofficial visits since the summer. Texas has offered, but the race seems to be between Texas A&M and LSU. Jones, the nation's No. 2 safety, provided a top 10 in December that included both Texas and Texas A&M. LSU is a player, as well.

And then there are guys like Oliver, who didn't have either school in his top three last month. Oliver told Adam Gorney of Rivals that LSU, TCU and Baylor are his top three, but you can bet the Aggies and Longhorns will continue fighting for him.

Look for new player recruiting to play a huge role in how some 2016 prospects decide. Malik Jefferson was in this spot last year for Texas. Now, the 5-star linebacker signee is focused on finding new talent to call teammates next season. He sent a message to 4-star receiver Dee Anderson, an LSU commit who recently landed a Texas offer.

Jefferson will be active for Texas, but 5-star defensive tackle Daylon Mack and 5-star quarterback Kyler Murray will be active for Texas A&M. As active as they'll be, the work of Sumlin, Strong and the assistant coaches on both sides will be critical.

Texas A&M fans like to use the hashtag #WRTS on social media, which stands for "We Run The State." The Aggies have the early lead, but the next few months will tell the story.

Damon Sayles is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. Player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.