Ad Disclosure
Texas A&M recruiting primer: 2021 class adds several impact players on defense
Published:
Since Jimbo Fisher took over at Texas A&M 3 years ago, the Aggies have had a pair of top-10 recruiting classes.
We’re starting to see that potential come to fruition as A&M has emerged as a contender in 2020. Players such as Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith are playing big roles this year and were recruited under Fisher. It should only get better the more he is able to bring in prospects he feels fit his program.
The 2021 class includes several players who could make an impact in the coming years, especially on defense. It isn’t the best class Fisher has had since he took over, but that’s more of a testament to how well he has recruited than a knock on this group. A&M addressed several needs, but there are still a few holes left to fill.
Thankfully, there is still an opportunity to add a few more players before things are finalized.
For now, let’s take a closer look at what A&M has for the 2021 class:
By the numbers
- SEC rank: 5
- National rank: 13
- 5-stars: 1
- 4-stars: 11
- 3-stars: 7
Top player: DE Shemar Turner, 5-star
The Aggies added their lone 5-star player of 2021 when Turner pledged his commitment this past weekend.
The No. 31 overall prospect chose A&M over offers from Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma and others. A native of DeSoto, Texas, he also gives the Aggies a bigger foothold in their own state, becoming their 4th prospect inside the top 25 players in Texas.
He has a chance to contribute early in his college career. The Aggies will lose a lot on defense, including defensive linemen Jayden Peevy and Micheal Clemons. At 6-3, 282 pounds, Turner is already an imposing physical presence with room to grow. He possesses a quick first step and could be terrorizing opposing offenses for many years to come.
Class strength: Defensive backs
If there’s 1 area where the Aggies could use some help this year, it’s the secondary.
It will be on the way in 2021. The group is led by safety Kendal Daniels out of Beggs, Okla. He is the No. 1 player in the Sooner state and No. 100 in the country. He chose the Aggies over several powers, including Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame.
Deuce Harmon (Denton, Texas) and Dreyden Norwood (Fort Smith, Ark.) add a pair of 4-star cornerbacks. Norwood is also the top-ranked player in his state and played quarterback in high school. That could give him an advantage reading offenses.
Yulkeith Brown is a 4-star athlete from Miami. He received snaps at receiver and cornerback in high school, so he could play on either side of the ball for the Aggies. He and 3-star cornerback Tyreek Chappell round out this group.
Class weakness: Linebacker
Aaron Hansford and Buddy Johnson are seniors, meaning the Aggies will likely have to replace their starting linebackers and 2 leading tacklers next season. They lost the only linebacker in their class when Kaci Seegars, a 3-star prospect from Cornelius, N.C., decommitted Sunday.
Linebacker will be one of the most inexperienced groups for A&M next season, and they’re not getting much to replace the production that’s leaving.
Grading the QB class: B+
The Aggies added 4-star dual-threat quarterback Eli Stowers to their team in 2021.
The Denton, Texas, native is ranked the No. 7 dual-threat QB in the nation, and he also had offers from Clemson, Georgia and Oregon. He certainly has the potential to become a starter for A&M down the road.
He will have to compete with Haynes King and Zach Calzada for reps next season. King has spelled Kellen Mond at the end of a couple of games this year. He was also highly rated out of high school and figures to be the early favorite to start.
Did they close the borders?
A&M has so far landed 4 of the top 25 prospects in Texas.
That is the most of any program, 1 more than Oklahoma and Alabama. The Aggies are also still in the running for running back LJ Johnson (No. 8) and guard Bryce Foster (No. 12). Landing either of those guys would be a huge boost.
Receiver Shadrach Banks (Houston) could provide depth to a group that never had a clear No. 1 player in 2020. Defensive end Marcus Burris (Texarkana) will continue to strengthen the defense. Both are 4-stars.
A&M also has commits from the No. 1 prospects in border states Oklahoma (Daniels) and Arkansas (Norwood) and the No. 2 player in nearby Colorado (tackle Trey Zuhn).
Final thoughts
If this ranking holds, it would be a step back for A&M compared to the past 2 classes.
The Aggies ranked in the top 10 in both 2019 and 2020, and they will need to earn some pledges from a few players still on the fence if they hope to continue that trend. That’s certainly possible with some of the in-state players yet to commit.
Even without any additions, this class is shaping up to be solid. I expect the defensive players here to make a big impact in future seasons. Banks and Sowers could also be big.
In the end, A&M has a top-25 class as well as one in the top half of the SEC. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at.
Chandler Vessels covers the SEC West for Saturday Down South. Previously, he worked for the East Texas Sports Network in Tyler, Texas, covering high school football and recruiting. You can follow him on Twitter @ChandlerVessels.
