Aggies seem to be the "hot" program right now with recruits because Sumlin has cultivated a
"fun, family atmosphere". Fun?
Admittedly, I haven't spent any time in College Station since the late 80's. What has changed there?
http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/3/2/5464152/off-the-wood-web-comic-charlie-strong-kevin-sumlin-swagcopter
There is a reason College Station is the kind of place people want to remain after they graduate. I am not sure what it is, but people vote with their feet and the fact the overwhelming majority of aggy grads who choose to live in College Station speaks for itself.
Also, It shouldn't be lost on people that last year, Center of Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) was designated to be located in "the Bryan-College Station biocorridor." The announcement sent immediate shock waves through the world's biomedical community and has caused most of the world's greatest talents in the field to leave their previous homes in Switzerland, California and other far flung locales to relocate to the Bryan-College Station metropolis. World class fine dining, fine arts including the world renowned (all-male) Texas A&M ballet company and events such as Chilifest in Snook are just part of what draws glitterazzi to B/CS.
Boasting an international airport that is the hub of Air Nut Squeeze, featuring all Cessna 172 luxury to such far flung locations as Dime Box and Blinn, College Station is the new "it" spot for world jet setters. Not to be out done by Austin's Circuit f the Americans which hosts an annual Formula 1 race in the fall, Texas A&M, the cultural and intellectual crown jewel of the region, recently flexed its racing muscle by inspiring a paint theme for Jeff Gordon's NASCAR team at an upcoming race.
If you haven't been to College Station lately, you simply haven't been to College Station. As the slogan says "College Station, from the inside its an experience you can't explain and once outside you can't erase from your mind."
(if you want the short version, it's still the same Godforsaken sh!thole it ever was. Sumlin has simply legalized weed and outlawed going to classes in order to recruit.)