Texas A&M Aggies score a commitment from five-star athlete Terry Bussey

Texas A&M was an early factor in the recruitment of Terry Bussey, the No. 2-rated athlete in the country out of small-town Timpson in the Southeast Texas corridor.

Now, the Aggies have reeled him the five-star playmaker from their backyard.

Bussey has long favored the likes of Jimbo Fisher, TJ Rushing and a full-court press from the entire defensive coaching staff made played colossal roles in courting the elite On300 athlete to College Station. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster has been a top priority for the coaching staff as soon as the page flipped to this 2024 cycle.

“I have great relationships with those guys,” the five-star ATH said of Fisher and Rushing, who have been staples in Bussey’s recruitment since his days as an underclassman. “I also have great relationships with guys like Coach Gaines and BGA [Bryant Gross-Armiento]. We continue to build those relationships day in and day out each and every week. They hit me and I hit them back, we talk on the phone and communicate, and that relationship has built over time. You grow strong with people like that — who are genuine and real.”

Aggies maintained a leg-up on the pack

Texas A&M really began to find its rhythm with Bussey over the spring — just as the five-star ATH started to explore his out-of-state suitors.

After a few stops in College Station, Bussey saw Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn. In June, he took official visits to both Texas and Oklahoma, and then officially visited Alabam and LSU in September. In between, the No. 19 player in the nation sandwiched visits back to College Station in July and earlier this month.

“Being able to watch the practices and see how they operate around there and build up my relationship with the coaches more,” Bussey told On3 of his decision. “They continually show love. They check up on me every day and overall, we have a great relationship. That’s what puts them on top really.”

Bussey has made more visits to Texas A&M than any other campus.

Rushing has been the most active recruiter throughout his recruitment and loves the speedster’s fit in the defensive backfield.

“I talk to him every day, so overall, seeing him in person and talking more in person makes our relationship flow better,” Bussey said of Rushing. “Being able to be around each other has been good.”

“It’s always good when I go up there,” he added. “The coaching staff and everyone makes me feel at home, and it’s just an overall great vibe there in College Station.”

Fisher has been very present with one of the Lone Star State’s best, too.

“He always keeps it real,” the nation’s No. 2 athlete said of the Aggies’ head coach. “He keeps it real with me and he’s a great person outside of just the coaching aspect.”

“They just feel like family every time I go up there,” Bussey added. “I have good relationships with all the coaches and it’s good going up there because every time I’m there I get to know them a little bit more and they get to know me a little more.”

Terry Bussey scouting summary

East Texas all-around monster of a football player who plays all over the field. Will line up at quarterback and gash defenses with his legs. At safety he can cover sideline to sideline as well as stick his face into traffic as a run defender. Sticky in coverage as a corner. Tracks the ball naturally as a wide receiver and makes defenders miss in a phone booth in the return game. But the thing that jumps off the screen most is his natural athleticism. Stands in at just over 5-foot-10, 180 pounds with a 6-foot-2 wingspan. Ran a 4.42 electronically-timed 40-yard dash during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Also jumped a 30-inch vertical, a 9-foot-5 broad jump and ran a 4.32 short shuttle at the same event. Jumped 45 feet in the triple jump and ran a 22.61 200m during his junior track and field season. Rare combination of top-tier explosiveness and fluidity. Strong basketball player averaging 19.6 points per game as well as 7 rebounds per game. Has all the athletic tools to excel at the next level and beyond on either side of the ball. More natural fit seems to be corner due to lack of true high-point ability due to size and rare fluidity combined with his top-end speed. Named 2022 Mr. Texas Football after his junior season. One of the youngest prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle, should technically be in the 2025 recruiting class.