Earlier, I put together a look at Texas recruiting from 2011-14 and noted, in my own estimation, that about 42% (38 out 90) of signees during that time period qualified as busts. During the same period, A&M signed more players and had approximately 10% fewer busts -- though they have endured a death, a large number of injuries that ended careers, an MLB defection and a player losing their mind. A&M's 2013 class can be considered an unmitigated disaster at this point, but 2012's has improved over time and 2014's is nothing short of outstanding. Here's a look:
2011:
Brandon Alexander, DE, 3-star: Not a good DE, then not a good linebacker, then a tight end who got hurt. Bust.
Donnie Baggs, LB, 3-star: had some good moments but was largely a disappointment.
Taylor Bertolet, PK, 3-star: Always good on kickoffs, off to a great start to 2015.
Devonta Burns, DB, 3-star: Nothing for two years, started for one, now a backup.
Joe Cheek, OL, 4-star: Two-year starter.
Ben Compton, OL, 3-star: Valuable jack of all trades.
Mike Evans, ATH, 3-star: Greatest wideout in A&M history.
Deshazor Everett, DB, 3-star: Good for two years, struggled for one, now with the Redskins.
Johntel Franklin, DB, 3-star (JUCO): Did nothing, transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Nate Gutekunst, OL, 3-star: Back injury ended his career.
Shayvion Hatten, OL, 3-star: Moved to D-line, transferred to SFA. Bust.
Steven Jenkins, LB, 3-star: Two year starter.
Drew Kaser, P, 2-star: One of the best punters of this generation.
Johnny Manziel, QB, 3-star: One of the greatest players in the history of college football.
Howard Matthews, DB, 4-star: 3 year starter who ended up a major disappointment.
Chance Nelson, WR, 2-star: Never played a down, transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Floyd Raven, DB, 4-star: Another guy who played a lot, but never to his potential.
Tyrell Taylor, LB, 2-star: Bust.
Will Randolph, RB, 2-star: Great speed, couldn’t hold onto the ball. Transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Shaun Ward, LB, 3-star: Transferred out after a season. Bust.
Darzil Washington, LB, 3-star: Bust.
4 good to great, 8 contributors, 1 lost to injury, 8 busts. Bust percentage: 38%
2012:
Matt Davis, QB, 4-star: Never played, transferred to SMU. Bust.
Devante Harris, CB, 4-star: 4-year starter.
Sabian Holmes, WR, 3-star: Near afterthought these days. Bust.
Germain Ifedi, OL, 3-star: Three-year starter.
Otis Jacobs, DB, 3-star: Contributor for two years. Cup of coffee in the NFL.
Thomas Johnson, WR, 4-star: Mental issues derailed a great career in the making.
Polo Manukainiu, DE, 3-star: RIP
Kenneth Marshall, S, 3-star: Bust.
Mike Matthews, OL, 4-star: Three-year starter.
Julien Obioha, DE, 3-star: Four-year starter.
Edward Pope, ATH, 4-star: Big factor last year, non-existent this year.
Edmund Ray, DT, 3-star: Never qualified. Bust.
Michael Richardson LB, 3-star: Neck injury ended a promising career.
Jordan Richmond, LB, 4-star: Never played a snap. Bust.
Tyrone Taylor, DE, 3-star: Played in 2013, gone now. Bust.
Kimo Tipoti, OL, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Derel Walker, WR, 3-star (JUCO): Really good for two years.
Alonzo Williams, DE, 3-star: Three-year starter.
Trey Williams, RB, 5-star: A star, but never a superstar.
7 good or great players, 2 contributors, 3 lost to injury, 1 death, 6 busts. Bust rate: 31.5%
2013:
Joas Aguilar, OL, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Jay Arnold, DE, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Reggie Chevis, LB, 3-star: Now a DT, barely plays. Bust.
Darian Claiborne, LB, 3-star: Kicked off the team. Bust.
Cameron Clear, TE, 3-star (JUCO): Bust.
Victor Davis, CB, 3-star: Played a lot last year, not at all this year. Listed as solid, but heading to bust.
Noel Ellis, CB, 4-star: Missed last year but has been solid this year.
Tavares Garner, CB, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Henderson State.
Isaiah Golden, DT, 4-star: Bust. Kicked off the team.
Quiv Gonzalez, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to KU.
J.J. Gustafson, OL, 3-star: In the two deep after dealing with two years of injuries.
Daeshon Hall, DE, 4-star: Emerging star.
Kenny Hill, QB, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to TCU.
Sebastian Larue, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Washington State.
Justin Manning, DT, 4-star: Bust.
Jordan Mastrogiovanni, LB, 3-star: Bust. Quit football.
Kameron Miles, S, 4-star: Bust. Kicked off the team.
Kyrion Parker, WR, 4-star: Bust. Left the team.
Jordan Points, DE, 3-star: Bust. Never played and vanished.
Tommy Sanders, LB, 3-star (JUCO): Never met expectations.
RSJ, ATH, 4-star: Two-year starter.
Alex Sezer, ATH, 2-star: Special teams demon and backup corner.
Kohl Stewart, QB, 4-star: In the MLB system of the Twins.
Jeremiah Stuckey, OL, 3-star (JUCO): Now a starter after doing nothing for two years.
Jeremy Tabuyo, WR, 3-star: Solid contributor, especially early this year.
Brett Wade, LB, 3-star: Bust.
Hardreck Walker, DT, 4-star: solid rotation guy.
Shaan Washington, ATH, 3-star: likely 3-year starter at LB. Solid player.
James White, RB, 3-star: TBD.
Jonathan Wiggins, S, 3-star: Bust.
JaQuay Williams, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Louisville.
Ish Wilson, OL, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Baylor.
3 good or great players, 9 solid players, 3 careers ended by injuries or baseball, 17 busts. Bust percentage: 53%
(*Note: Two other good to great players, Brandon Williams and Tra Carson, transferred in)
2014
Otaro Alaka, LB, 4-star: Starter.
Kyle Allen, QB, 5-star: Developing into a star.
Cedric Collins, CB, 2-star: Career ended in high school. Scholarship honored.
Qualen Cunningham, DE, 4-star: Effective reserve, plays a lot.
Kealvin Davis, OL, 3-star: Redshirted, hasn’t played.
Jermaine Eluemunor, OL, 4-star (JUCO): Redshirted, now a backup.
Myles Garrett, DE, 5-star: Possibly the best player in college football.
Avery Gennesy, OL, 4-star (JUCO): Starting left tackle.
NIck Harvey, DB, 4-star: Co-starter.
Zaycoven Henderson, DT, 4-star: Reserve, plays a lot.
Frank Iheanacho, WR, 4-star: Falling into bust status. Not in the 2-deep.
Jamal Jeffery, WR, 3-star: playing more this year, but still not a lot.
Jarrett Johnson, DE, 3-star: Rotation DE, plays a lot.
Zach Ledwik, OL, 4-star: retired due to injury.
Koda Martin, TE, 3-star: Redshirted, now backup tight end/OL.
Speedy Noil, WR, 5-star: Budding superstar when healthy.
Josh Reynolds, WR, 3-star: record-setting WR.
Josh Walker, LB, 3-star: Backup LB.
Deshawn Washington DT, 4-star: Backup DT.
Armani Watts DB, 4-star: Starter and budding star.
Donovan Wilson, DB, 3-star: Getting compared to the Honey Badger.
9 good or great players, 8 ok players, 2 careers ended by injury, 2 busts. Bust percentage: 9.5%
93 total players in 4 years: 23 good to great, 27 contributors, 8 careers ended by injury, 1 death, 1 loss to MLB, 33 busts. Overall bust percentage: 35%
2011:
Brandon Alexander, DE, 3-star: Not a good DE, then not a good linebacker, then a tight end who got hurt. Bust.
Donnie Baggs, LB, 3-star: had some good moments but was largely a disappointment.
Taylor Bertolet, PK, 3-star: Always good on kickoffs, off to a great start to 2015.
Devonta Burns, DB, 3-star: Nothing for two years, started for one, now a backup.
Joe Cheek, OL, 4-star: Two-year starter.
Ben Compton, OL, 3-star: Valuable jack of all trades.
Mike Evans, ATH, 3-star: Greatest wideout in A&M history.
Deshazor Everett, DB, 3-star: Good for two years, struggled for one, now with the Redskins.
Johntel Franklin, DB, 3-star (JUCO): Did nothing, transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Nate Gutekunst, OL, 3-star: Back injury ended his career.
Shayvion Hatten, OL, 3-star: Moved to D-line, transferred to SFA. Bust.
Steven Jenkins, LB, 3-star: Two year starter.
Drew Kaser, P, 2-star: One of the best punters of this generation.
Johnny Manziel, QB, 3-star: One of the greatest players in the history of college football.
Howard Matthews, DB, 4-star: 3 year starter who ended up a major disappointment.
Chance Nelson, WR, 2-star: Never played a down, transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Floyd Raven, DB, 4-star: Another guy who played a lot, but never to his potential.
Tyrell Taylor, LB, 2-star: Bust.
Will Randolph, RB, 2-star: Great speed, couldn’t hold onto the ball. Transferred to SHSU. Bust.
Shaun Ward, LB, 3-star: Transferred out after a season. Bust.
Darzil Washington, LB, 3-star: Bust.
4 good to great, 8 contributors, 1 lost to injury, 8 busts. Bust percentage: 38%
2012:
Matt Davis, QB, 4-star: Never played, transferred to SMU. Bust.
Devante Harris, CB, 4-star: 4-year starter.
Sabian Holmes, WR, 3-star: Near afterthought these days. Bust.
Germain Ifedi, OL, 3-star: Three-year starter.
Otis Jacobs, DB, 3-star: Contributor for two years. Cup of coffee in the NFL.
Thomas Johnson, WR, 4-star: Mental issues derailed a great career in the making.
Polo Manukainiu, DE, 3-star: RIP
Kenneth Marshall, S, 3-star: Bust.
Mike Matthews, OL, 4-star: Three-year starter.
Julien Obioha, DE, 3-star: Four-year starter.
Edward Pope, ATH, 4-star: Big factor last year, non-existent this year.
Edmund Ray, DT, 3-star: Never qualified. Bust.
Michael Richardson LB, 3-star: Neck injury ended a promising career.
Jordan Richmond, LB, 4-star: Never played a snap. Bust.
Tyrone Taylor, DE, 3-star: Played in 2013, gone now. Bust.
Kimo Tipoti, OL, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Derel Walker, WR, 3-star (JUCO): Really good for two years.
Alonzo Williams, DE, 3-star: Three-year starter.
Trey Williams, RB, 5-star: A star, but never a superstar.
7 good or great players, 2 contributors, 3 lost to injury, 1 death, 6 busts. Bust rate: 31.5%
2013:
Joas Aguilar, OL, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Jay Arnold, DE, 3-star: Injuries ended his career.
Reggie Chevis, LB, 3-star: Now a DT, barely plays. Bust.
Darian Claiborne, LB, 3-star: Kicked off the team. Bust.
Cameron Clear, TE, 3-star (JUCO): Bust.
Victor Davis, CB, 3-star: Played a lot last year, not at all this year. Listed as solid, but heading to bust.
Noel Ellis, CB, 4-star: Missed last year but has been solid this year.
Tavares Garner, CB, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Henderson State.
Isaiah Golden, DT, 4-star: Bust. Kicked off the team.
Quiv Gonzalez, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to KU.
J.J. Gustafson, OL, 3-star: In the two deep after dealing with two years of injuries.
Daeshon Hall, DE, 4-star: Emerging star.
Kenny Hill, QB, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to TCU.
Sebastian Larue, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Washington State.
Justin Manning, DT, 4-star: Bust.
Jordan Mastrogiovanni, LB, 3-star: Bust. Quit football.
Kameron Miles, S, 4-star: Bust. Kicked off the team.
Kyrion Parker, WR, 4-star: Bust. Left the team.
Jordan Points, DE, 3-star: Bust. Never played and vanished.
Tommy Sanders, LB, 3-star (JUCO): Never met expectations.
RSJ, ATH, 4-star: Two-year starter.
Alex Sezer, ATH, 2-star: Special teams demon and backup corner.
Kohl Stewart, QB, 4-star: In the MLB system of the Twins.
Jeremiah Stuckey, OL, 3-star (JUCO): Now a starter after doing nothing for two years.
Jeremy Tabuyo, WR, 3-star: Solid contributor, especially early this year.
Brett Wade, LB, 3-star: Bust.
Hardreck Walker, DT, 4-star: solid rotation guy.
Shaan Washington, ATH, 3-star: likely 3-year starter at LB. Solid player.
James White, RB, 3-star: TBD.
Jonathan Wiggins, S, 3-star: Bust.
JaQuay Williams, WR, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Louisville.
Ish Wilson, OL, 4-star: Bust. Transferred to Baylor.
3 good or great players, 9 solid players, 3 careers ended by injuries or baseball, 17 busts. Bust percentage: 53%
(*Note: Two other good to great players, Brandon Williams and Tra Carson, transferred in)
2014
Otaro Alaka, LB, 4-star: Starter.
Kyle Allen, QB, 5-star: Developing into a star.
Cedric Collins, CB, 2-star: Career ended in high school. Scholarship honored.
Qualen Cunningham, DE, 4-star: Effective reserve, plays a lot.
Kealvin Davis, OL, 3-star: Redshirted, hasn’t played.
Jermaine Eluemunor, OL, 4-star (JUCO): Redshirted, now a backup.
Myles Garrett, DE, 5-star: Possibly the best player in college football.
Avery Gennesy, OL, 4-star (JUCO): Starting left tackle.
NIck Harvey, DB, 4-star: Co-starter.
Zaycoven Henderson, DT, 4-star: Reserve, plays a lot.
Frank Iheanacho, WR, 4-star: Falling into bust status. Not in the 2-deep.
Jamal Jeffery, WR, 3-star: playing more this year, but still not a lot.
Jarrett Johnson, DE, 3-star: Rotation DE, plays a lot.
Zach Ledwik, OL, 4-star: retired due to injury.
Koda Martin, TE, 3-star: Redshirted, now backup tight end/OL.
Speedy Noil, WR, 5-star: Budding superstar when healthy.
Josh Reynolds, WR, 3-star: record-setting WR.
Josh Walker, LB, 3-star: Backup LB.
Deshawn Washington DT, 4-star: Backup DT.
Armani Watts DB, 4-star: Starter and budding star.
Donovan Wilson, DB, 3-star: Getting compared to the Honey Badger.
9 good or great players, 8 ok players, 2 careers ended by injury, 2 busts. Bust percentage: 9.5%
93 total players in 4 years: 23 good to great, 27 contributors, 8 careers ended by injury, 1 death, 1 loss to MLB, 33 busts. Overall bust percentage: 35%
