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Despite coming off an incredibly disappointing 7-6 season that led to the firing of head coach Mike Sherman, new Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has been able to hold together, for the most part, Sherman's highly-touted 2012 recruiting class.
The class, which is currently rated No. 9 in the country by Rivals, can match up with anyone in the SEC, as the Aggies have the third-highest rated recruiting class in their new conference, behind only Alabama and Florida.
Texas A&M has a verbal commitment from one five-star recruit, RB Trey Williams of Dekaney, TX, as well as seven four-stars and 13 three-stars.
Of their 21 commitments so far, 17 are from Texas, highlighting one of the big advantages the Aggies will have going forward in the SEC, as none of their conference competitors have nearly the familiarity level and exposure in the giant Texas recruiting hotbed than A&M, the second largest public university in the state with a devoted fan base spread far and wide throughout.
The Aggies inability to win consistently in the Big 12 is one of the main reasons why their move to the SEC, widely considered to be the best conference is college football, has been met with widespread derision.
However, as an interesting SI.com article delves into, conference realignment hasn't had a dramatic effect on the recruiting classes of any of the Southern schools -- Texas A&M, Missouri, TCU and West Virginia -- currently involved in this latest game of musical chairs.
The Aggies were never able to win the Big 12, and defeat the first and second rated recruiting classes from the state of Texas, which annually go to Texas and Oklahoma. Now the question becomes whether the third best group of Texas high school recruits can win the SEC.
For the most up-to-the-date coverage on Baylor recruiting, check out I Am The 12th Man while the SB Nation College Football Recruiting Hub will have wall-to-wall coverage of National Signing Day.