It was almost a month into a new recruiting season when DeSoto defensive lineman Tony Jerod saw the list of Texas A&M's oral commitments for 2008.
"It did kind of catch me by surprise," said Jerod, who committed to the Aggies on Feb. 13. "I think they had more than Texas at one point. I was like, 'Man, A&M's a good school, but I didn't know it was like that.'"
Success on the field has bred early success in recruiting for the Aggies. A few early commitments have decided to look elsewhere, but Texas A&M has wasted no time compiling a list of 16 commitments that has caught the attention of many.
Texas A&M, which has reached two bowl games in the past three seasons, capped a 9-4 season in 2006 by signing a 2007 recruiting class that included McAllen Memorial running back Bradley Stephens, a member of the Star-Telegram Elite 11. By then, the Aggies already had seven juniors who had made commitments for 2008.
Jeremy Crabtree, national recruiting editor for Rivals-.com, isn't surprised. Last year, Texas was coming off a national championship and was able to gobble up recruits, Crabtree explained. There weren't a lot of high-impact players left, but Crabtree knew the Aggies' success in 2006 would be parlayed into a great 2008 class.
"Top to bottom, this class is pretty solid," Crabtree said. "I think it's the tip of the iceberg and I think they're going to be pretty heavily recruited kids."
Area players who have committed to Texas A&M see plenty to like. Colleyville Covenant offensive lineman Jeffrey Hyde (6-foot-7, 280 pounds) needed only two words to offer his high opinion of the Aggies' class: Tommy Dorman.
Dorman, a 6-3, 205-pound quarterback at North Richland Hills Birdville, completed 99 of 175 passes for 1,685 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 749 yards and 14 TDs in 2006. He committed Feb. 18. The school sold itself, he said.
"They never promised me a starting job, never promised playing time, but said they don't know if they could find a more talented guy who would be a better fit," Dorman said. "They never really had to make a pitch. They basically told me I'd be a great fit and that I'd have a great chance to play if I come down and work hard."
Along with Dorman, Texas A&M has added commitments from sizable players such as Hyde and Euless Trinity tight end Josh Ayers (6-5, 282), who was recruited as an offensive lineman. Of the 16 players committed, four are offensive linemen listed by Rivals.com at 6-3 or taller.
That could provide the Aggies with added size. Only one offensive lineman was listed under 6-4 on A&M's post-spring depth chart.
"I think it's very clear offensive line would be a huge priority with this class," Crabtree said. "They found guys they liked early on who were 6-5 or taller. They've got a tall, athletic line, and they definitely wanted to stockpile on that."
They paid attention to detail, too. Hyde sent out a highlight DVD and an A&M coach came to the school a week later, Colleyville Covenant coach Joel Berry said.
"They got after it," Berry said. "They have a lot of early offers, but I think that's what the game's gone to."
The work continues. Dorman and Ayers said they're trying to recruit teammates and other players they know to join them at A&M.
"With the past couple of years, more players are definitely going to want to start come playing here," Dorman said. "Things are looking up."
