Sumlin holding together top 10 recruiting class

  • By DAVID HARRIS

  • Posted: Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


Already an uncertain business, recruiting becomes noticeably more unpredictable for schools when a late coaching change is involved.


Texas A&M associate athletic director for football Justin Moore said that the coaching staff is the No. 1 factor for recruits when selecting a school. So when the A&M brass terminated Mike Sherman on Dec. 1, it knowingly jeopardized the top 10 recruiting class he and his staff had compiled.


However, new head coach Kevin Sumlin has quickly hired a staff and worked hard at keeping Sherman's class intact. By most accounts, he's been successful with national signing day set for Wednesday.


"Texas A&M got off to a fast start," 247Sports.com national analyst J.C. Shurburtt said. "And even through a coaching change, the Aggies have held on to most of their top recruits, including five-star running back Trey Williams, during the process."


The fact that Sumlin is no stranger to Texas has helped, says Shurburtt. In fact, Sumlin recruited many of the 21 players pledged to A&M while coaching the Houston Cougars. Of the 21 recruits, 17 are from Texas with three others from Louisiana or Mississippi.


"Perhaps because they hired a familiar face to many of the in-state targets that it was one of the most seamless coaching transitions from a recruiting standpoint that I have seen," Shurburtt said.


Williams is the most high-profile player in the class. The Dekaney running back is the No. 25 player in the country according to 247Sports.com. He earned the Texas' High School Player of the Year award from the National Underclassmen after rushing for 3,884 yards and 48 touchdowns while leading Dekaney to the Class 5A Division II state championship.


Williams, along with Hightower wide receiver Bralon Addison and Klein Forest quarterback Matt Davis, have been the leaders of the 2012 class, terming "AggSwagg" as a way of forging a bond with their future teammates.


"Nicknames and buzzwords certainly have been trending when it comes to college football recruiting," Shurburtt said. "The prospects seem to like it, and coaches can use it as a rallying cry to build momentum on the recruiting trail."


Sumlin's been on the trail since the recruiting dead period ended in early January. But until Wednesday when pledges can sign letters of commitment, Sumlin and his staff will be fretting over a number of players orally committed to A&M who have taken visits to other schools -- like Fort Bend Elkins safety Corey Thompson who is looking at LSU.


"There's always that concern whenever some of the top targets take visits elsewhere late in the process that you will have a player or two flip," Shurburtt said. "That's just part of it. Fans should be excited for the players that will sign but worried about the ones who might have a last-minute change-of-heart."


A&M has 25 scholarships available. According to Taylor Hamm of Gigem247.com, three A&M pledges -- Brenham guard Adrian Bellard, Baytown receiver Jaevon Richardson and Hempstead receiver Trent Momon -- will not qualify academically.


Whoever signs with A&M, Shurburtt points out that this class' "AggSwagg" movement, the number of stars and the class ranking will be obsolete come August.


"These players have to prove themselves once they get to campus, and when the first live contact drill happens next August, 'AggSwagg' won't mean a thing," Shurburtt said.


For now, A&M continues to hold onto the No. 10 class in the country, according to 247Sports.


"I think it's about as good of a class as you could ask for heading into the Southeastern Conference," Shurburtt said.