Texas A&M National Signing Day 2016: 5 Takeaways from Aggies Class

It's been a tough couple of months for Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin. Another disappointing season ended with news that two prized quarterback recruits from each of the last two seasons—Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray—announced their intentions to transfer. 

So, the focus of national signing day in 2016 was to add pieces to both sides of the ball who could help the Aggies win this season.

How did they do?

While A&M didn't sign anyone as high profile as Allen or Murray, or get a single 5-star recruit, this could end up being Sumlin's deepest and most versatile class since coming to College Station in 2012.

Here are five takeaways from Texas A&M's 2016 recruiting class.

The Addition of Nick Starkel at Quarterback

Things haven't gone well recently for Sumlin and Aggies quarterbacks. Allen and Murray transferred, while the quarterback who put Sumlin on the map, Johnny Manziel, is in the news everyday for everything but being a good quarterback.  

Fortunately for Aggieland, Nick Starkel arrives just in time.

A former Oklahoma State commit, Starkel backed off his pledge to the Cowboys in December when it was announced that both Allen and Murray were leaving College Station. That's a great move for Starkel, but will he be ready to play in 2016?

Starkel, at 6'3 ½", 186 pounds, has good size for the quarterback position. A natural pocket passer, he has a good feel for how to play within the pocket. He also shows an ability to keep his eyes downfield and doesn't see the pass rush. His mechanics will need some work at the next level.

Starkel was the only quarterback the Aggies signed in this class. A&M currently has a commitment from the top passer in 2017, Tate Martell. Now the Aggies need to win enough games to hang on to him. 

Aggies Focused Heavily on the Offensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Offensive lineman Kellen Diesch

While there are quarterback issues in College Station at the moment, everything else looks good on offense. The Aggies are loaded with young playmakers in the backfield and at wide receiver. A&M also seems to put an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL draft each year.

In the class of 2016, Sumlin felt he needed to load up on the offensive line after losing so many top talents over the last three years. Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi were all first-round picks in each of the last three drafts. Germain Ifedi could make it four in a row in 2016.

Those departures have left a Texas-sized hole in the Aggies offensive line for next season.

This year's class could go a long way in replenishing A&M's offensive line depth.

Kellen Diesch, Colton Prater, Austin Anderson and Riley Anderson all look to continue Texas A&M's offensive line tradition. 

Diesch is the most intriguing. At 6'7", 270 pounds, he needs to add bulk, making him a good candidate for a redshirt season in 2016. Despite his lean frame, Diesch has solid strength. His long arms are an asset in pass protection, but he must watch his pad level. 

The Anderson brothers both have good size, play with a tough, nasty demeanor and always finish blocks. 

Justin Madubuike Is the Next Texas A&M Star

The great Myles Garrett will likely be wrapping up his final season in College Station next fall. Garrett, the nation's No. 2 overall prospect two years ago, has 22.5 career sacks and is poised for an even bigger campaign in 2016.

He could receive some help in 2016 from 4-star defensive end Justin Madubuike from McKinney, Texas. 

A&M's top-ranked signee, Madubuike combines speed, power and relentlessness to get after opposing quarterbacks.

He has a sturdy frame (6'2 ½", 250 lbs) and often defeats offensive tackles with his quickness. Madubuike also possesses an effective bull rush and quick first step. 

To become the next great Aggies pass-rusher, Madubuike must continue to add to his repertoire of moves. He could see the field next fall. 

The Aggies Locked Up Some Talented, Versatile Athletes

The day began with a disappointment, as the nation's No. 1 safety, Brandon Jones, of Nacogdoches, Texas, chose to attend the University of Texas. The Aggies, per 247Sports' Crystal Ball, were the leaders for Jones heading into signing day.

For the good news, athlete Aaron Hansford of Washington, D.C., chose the Aggies over Ohio State and UCLA. 

Now, where to play Hansford? An outstanding athlete, the 6'2", 210-pounder can play linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver or tight end. He could end up on defense when his frame fills out, but Hansford has other ideas.

Per Taylor Hamm of 247Sports, Hansford wants to be on the offensive side of the football, and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will afford him that opportunity.

"

Coach Mazzone said I was a perfect fit for his system he runs. He said I would have a lot of opportunities to play my freshman year because of my size and where I’m at. I’m looking forward to playing my freshman year. He didn’t guarantee anything. I know Ricky Seals-Jones is there, and he’s a great player, so that gives me a chance to learn from him and create myself into my own.

"

In addition to Hansford, the Aggies locked up a pair of talented 4-star cornerbacks in Travon Fuller and Charles Oliver. 

Oliver (6'2 ½", 184 lbs) has excellent length and is fluid in coverage. Fuller (6'1", 170 lbs) has good size and speed and possesses outstanding ball skills. He shows an ability to anticipate routes and turn his hips and run with receivers. Both players are excellent additions for the Aggies.  

Aggies' Recent Struggles Are Affecting Recruiting

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Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin

After Sumlin's first season in College Station, he was arguably the hottest coach in the nation. Schools such as USC were interested in him, as was the NFL, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Scott Wolf and the San Antonio Express News' Brent Zwerneman.

What happened?

A few disappointing seasons later, Sumlin's current seat could be getting warmer. 

Several reasons have led to A&M's struggles. First of all, Manziel is long gone. For as much of a headache as Manziel was (and is), he was a terrific college quarterback and helped make Sumlin a hot head coaching candidate. 

After Manziel's success, Sumlin signed two elite QB prospects in Allen and Murray, only to watch them transfer. For Allen, it was about being cast aside for Murray. In Murray's case, it was more about unfulfilled promises from the coach. 

So, how do you fix it?

Winning. Period. 

If Sumlin can get the Aggies and their offense back on track, recruiting will pick back up, too. 

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.