COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin went heavy on defense with his fourth recruiting class.
The Aggies signed 13 defenders, none bigger than defensive tackle Daylon Mack, along with 11 offensive players and a kicker Wednesday.
"What we set out to do was add athleticism and depth," Sumlin said. "What we've learned in this league is it's more than just a talent league, it's a talent and depth league."
Mack, a five-star prospect out Gladewater (Texas) High, should provide immediate help in the defensive middle, in complementing sturdy defensive ends Myles Garrett and Julien Obioha. Sumlin said A&M's addition of defensive coordinator John Chavis, who held the same position at LSU the past six years, helped Mack choose the Aggies over Texas and TCU.
"Schematically, he sees a coach who has a track record of playing not only good defense but great defense, and placing guys in the National Football League," Sumlin said.
While Mack should provide the biggest immediate payoff, most of the buzz around Aggieland on Wednesday centered on quarterback Kyler Murray. The son of former A&M standout quarterback Kevin Murray, Kyler Murray won three consecutive state titles in Texas's largest division, and never lost a game in 43 starts for Allen (Texas) High.
Murray briefly considered attended Texas before reaffirming his longtime pledge to the Aggies last week. Sumlin said multiple competitors tried drawing Murray away from A&M with promises of seeing the field early.
"They used the depth chart as a recruiting tool," Sumlin said. "They got in and pointed that out, and some said he might even start. But he understands competition and what this program is built on."
Murray is expected to compete immediately with sophomore Kyle Allen, a five-star prospect a year ago, for the starting job. A concern for A&M, however, concerning Murray is pro baseball. Some project Murray as a first-round selection in the June amateur draft, and he has said he'll seriously consider a baseball career this summer.
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TEXAS A&M
Rivals 10; Scout 10
Best in class: QB Kyler Murray
Best of the rest: DL Daylon Mack
Late addition: RB Kendall Bussey
One that got away: WR DaMarkus Lodge