It’s no secret the kind of effect Johnny Manziel and the move to the SEC had on the Texas A&M football program. The fact those two things happened in conjunction with one another was a perfect storm that elevated the program to new fiscal heights, the benefits of which were $485 million renovations to Kyle Field and sparkly new athletic facilities that include a barber shop, TVs above every locker, and other luxuries.
The recruiting effect was palpable. Kevin Sumlin brought in a Top 5 class in 2014 on the heels of Johnny Football’s career and routinely put together Top 10 classes until the last couple of seasons, though his classes never fell outside the Top 20.