This top 10 is based off of GigEm247Sports’ all-time Texas A&M football recruits list and uses the composite score to rank.
No. 1 Walter Nolen — DL — Class of 2022 — 0.9997 composite score
The Powell, Tennessee native was ranked as the best defensive lineman in his class. Nolen is only in his second year at A&M and has already made an impact.
Nolen recorded 29 tackles, including a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in his freshman season, but he really started to break out this year. Nolen has recorded 32 tackles and has four sacks so far this season.
Nolen’s future is bright and Aggies should be excited to have at least another year to watch him.
No. 2 Myles Garrett — Edge — Class of 2014 — 0.9992
During his time in College Station, Garrett was named a unanimous All-American in 2016, First Team All-American in 2015 and First Team All-SEC in 2015 and 2016. He also won the Bill Willis Trophy in 2015, an award given to college football’s best defensive lineman.
Garrett’s play and accolade-filled career at A&M eventually got him drafted first overall to the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Garrett earned himself a spot on the All-Rookie team in 2017. He is also a two-time First Team All-Pro (2020, 2021), two-time Second Team All-Pro (2018, 2022) and has been named to the Pro Bowl four times.
Garrett has been exceptional in the NFL so far and it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
No. 3 DJ Hicks — DL — Class of 2023 — 0.9970
Hicks has yet to see significant action for the Aggies so far his freshman year, but has recorded 11 tackles and a sack.
As a senior in high school, Hicks received Texas District 19-6A Co-Defensive MVP honors. During his junior year, he was named Texas District 5-6A Defensive MVP and earned Texas 6A first-team all-state honors.
While Hicks hasn’t had a chance to make an impact, he is a player to watch for the future.
No. 4 Reggie McNeal — QB — Class of 2002 — 0.9970
McNeal made his mark on the Aggies when he came off the bench and threw four touchdowns to lead A&M past No. 1 Oklahoma in 2002.
His best season came in 2004 when he threw for 2,791 yards, 14 touchdowns and added 718 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He was named a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist and named First Team All-Big 12 quarterback by the Dallas Morning News.
After a disappointing 2005 season, McNeal was taken in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals. He couldn’t make his mark in the NFL and spent time in the CFL before being released by the Edmonton Eskimos in 2011.
No. 5 Cameron Coleman — WR — Class of 2024 — 0.9962
Coleman is still in high school, but his commitment to the Aggies surprised a lot of recruiting sites as he was predicted to commit to Auburn. Nonetheless, if Coleman stays committed to A&M, the Aggies are getting a big play receiver.
The Phenix City, Alabama native had 31 receptions, 542 yards and six touchdowns during his junior year. Through eight games in his senior season, Coleman has racked up 958 yards on 40 catches with 14 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.
Keep an eye on Coleman’s recruitment as early enrollee signing day is on Dec. 20, with national signing day on Feb. 7, 2024.
No. 6 Kyle Allen — QB — Class of 2014 — 0.9956
Allen initially lost the starting job to Kenny Hill in 2014, but won it back later in the season. In his time with the Aggies, Allen threw for 3,532 yards, 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Allen would transfer to Houston, where he threw for 751 yards for the Cougars before he was benched.
After declaring for the 2018 NFL draft, Allen went undrafted and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.
Since then, Allen has carved himself a solid career as a backup quarterback. He played for Carolina through 2019, then played for Washington in 2020 and 2021. He played with the Texans in 2022 and is with the Buffalo Bills this season.
No. 7 Speedy Noil — WR — Class of 2014 — 0.9952
Noil was ranked as the No. 1 athlete in his class and had a great freshman campaign for the Aggies. As a true freshman, Noil led the team in all-purpose yards and looked like he’d have a breakout season his sophomore year.
However, Noil’s production for A&M faltered in his sophomore and junior seasons. After a marijuana arrest in Dec. 2016, Noil missed A&M’s bowl game and declared for the 2017 NFL draft. He went undrafted and had short stints with the Seahawks and Packers. Noil signed with the Edmonton Eskimos for a two month stint in the CFL in 2018.
In 2019, he got another opportunity with the San Antonio Commanders in The Alliance of American Football. The most recent roster Noil was on was the Indoor Football League’s Spokane Shock in 2021.
No. 8 Shemar Stewart — DL — Class of 2022 — 0.9945
The third current player on this list, Stewart has been solid for the Aggies.
Stewart recorded 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his true-freshman campaign. So far this season, he has nine tackles and 1.5 sacks. A&M fans’ wish is to see Stewart make a jump to the next level, but ahead of him on the depth chart are juniors Fadil Diggs and Shemar Turner.
Aggies should be excited to see what Stewart can bring to the table in the coming years.
No. 9 Evan Stewart — WR — Class of 2022 — 0.9940
The dynamic playmaker has been fantastic for the Aggies when he gets the ball in his hands. In his freshman season, Stewart caught 53 passes for 649 yards and two touchdowns. So far this season, Stewart has racked up 506 yards and four touchdowns on 37 catches.
The problem for Stewart has been the instability at the quarterback position for A&M. It’s not for sure that Stewart would be putting up better numbers with a consistent starter, but changing back-and-forth between quarterbacks is never good for a receiver. This season, Stewart has also struggled with injuries and staying on the field.
No. 10 Martellus Bennett — TE — Class of 2005 — 0.9936
In his three seasons with the Aggies, Bennett caught 105 passes for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bennett’s ability and combine performance had him drafted in the second round to the Dallas Cowboys.
Bennett spent four seasons with the Cowboys, where he caught 85 passes for 846 yards and four touchdowns. His best year came in 2014 as a member of the Chicago Bears, where he caught 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns.
The highlight of Bennett’s career came in 2016 as a member of the New England Patriots. Bennett had 55 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns en route to the Patriots’ Super Bowl 51 victory. Bennett later announced his retirement on March 7, 2018.