No. 1 quarterback, defensive end highlight Texas A&M’s class

Players signed: 22

Tarrant-area signees: 1

Offense: Kyle Allen, a five-star signee from Scottsdale (Ariz.), is enrolled and will battle incumbents Matt Joeckel and Kenny Hill in spring drills to replace departed quarterback Johnny Manziel as the team’s 2014 starter. Whoever wins the QB job will be happy throwing to the aptly named Speedy Noil, a potential game-breaker, and tall target Frank Iheanacho (6-foot-7, 220 pounds). There is a potential plug-in starter for a depleted offensive line in JC signee Avery Gennesy (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and enough other playmakers to justify why analysts universally consider this one of the nation’s top 5 recruiting classes.

Defense: The most-heralded newcomer, Arlington Martin defensive end Myles Garrett, is a five-star talent with a non-stop motor. Garrett (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) plays a position of immediate need and should boost the Aggies’ pass rush in 2014. Other quality defenders in this class include DT DeShawn Washington, OLB Josh Walker, OLB Otaro Alaka and DT Zaycoven Henderson, who reneged on prior pledges to Texas and TCU. All could be immediate contributors for a defense that needs more bulk, speed and playmakers to boost the Aggies’ title hopes in the SEC.

Immediate Impact: DE Myles Garrett. The Aggies’ lone signee from Tarrant County, rated as the nation’s top defensive line prospect, collected an eye-popping 20.5 sacks in his senior season. He joins a defensive unit that combined for 21 sacks last season, with no more than three by any player.

This story was originally published February 5, 2014 at 10:49 AM with the headline "No. 1 quarterback, defensive end highlight Texas A&M’s class."