4-Star Justin Madubuike to Texas A&M: Aggies Add Depth to Defensive End Roster

Everything seems to be going in the right direction for the Texas A&M Aggies.

Offense: still explosive. Defense: better than expected. Special teams: a threat to score on every punt or kickoff.

Recruiting has seen its sparks as well. Texas A&M scored a huge get last month in Tate Martell, the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 class. On Friday afternoon, the Aggies helped their cause for the upcoming class in landing 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike from McKinney, Texas. Madubuike, the nation's No. 7 defensive end, tweeted the news:

The commitment gives the Aggies 15 commits, but Madubuike's pledge is big for two reasons. First, he is Texas A&M's top-ranked commit. Second, he helps the Aggies build depth at arguably the program's best position.

Madubuike will look to follow in the footsteps of Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall and the rest of the talented defensive ends wearing Texas A&M gear. At 6'3" and 255 pounds, Madubuike can be the next great thing. He has good size and great speed off the ball. He's a solid pass-rusher and someone who will benefit from defensive coordinator John Chavis' tutelage.

"His first step is second to none," Mike Fecci, McKinney North High School's head coach, told 247Sports' E.J. Holland earlier this month. "He's got a tremendous first step. He really gets off the ball well. He's really learned to use his hands well over the years. He’s playing with good pad level. But that first step is what really makes him great."

Madubuike chose Texas A&M over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Oklahoma, UCLA and USC, as well as in-state schools Texas, TCU and Baylor. He has 26 reported offers.

The Dallas Morning News named him the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after he racked up 75 tackles (including 35 tackles for loss) and 16.5 sacks in 2014. He plays both defensive end and defensive tackle for McKinney North High School but is expected to be a pass-rusher for the Aggies.

It's that versatility that could help him get minutes early against the rest of the SEC. Chavis, head coach Kevin Sumlin and defensive ends coach Terry Price will get a player who is hungry to learn and even hungrier to do what it takes to excel on the field.

Working out with guys such as Garrett and Hall next season will be huge for Madubuike. As he joins fellow 2016 commits in 4-star Mark Jackson Jr. and 3-star Alton Robinson, the run on quality defensive ends is expected to continue in College Station.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles