HUNTSVILLE — Connell Maynor was all smiles.

For good reason.

The early signing period was good to the second-year Alabama A&M football coach and his up-and-coming program.

Alabama A&M received four National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, including one from a former 3-star prospect who is transferring to Alabama A&M from a Southeastern Conference program.

"Our staff is extremely pleased with the start we're off to with this recruiting class," Maynor said. "We were able to go in and beat some big schools for some high-level players — a couple who had Power 5 offers.

"Here at Alabama A&M, we're building a program that's going to compete for SWAC championships, Celebration Bowl appearances and national championships, and to reach that point, you've got to get high-level players like these."

Highlighting Alabama A&M's early signing period is the addition of A.J. Harris, a 5-foot-11 and 200-pound redshirt sophomore safety who is transferring from Ole Miss.

Harris was rated a 3-star prospect by both Scout and 247Sports when he played at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Ala. After signing with Ole Miss, Harris received a redshirt during the 2017 season.

Alabama A&M also landed a pair of top-tier defensive prospects from Georgia state power Grayson High School.

Kenny Edwards, a 6-0 and 195-pound safety, and Hayden Gilford, a 6-2 and 220-pound linebacker, signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, opting for Alabama A&M over Football Bowl Subdivision offers, including a couple from Power 5 programs. The teammates from Loganville, Ga. helped Grayson to a 10-3 record and a spot in the Georgia AAAAAAA state quarterfinals.

Alabama A&M also addressed needs on the offensive line with the addition of Garren Harris, a 6-2 and 272-pound mid-year junior college transfer from Sacramento City College.

"We're extremely excited with the players we were able to add to our program during the early signing period," Alabama A&M defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator William Carr said. "These are high-level prospects who we believe can come in and help our program immediately.

"Since we arrived here, from Day 1, our philosophy has been to raise the talent level here at Alabama A&M by targeting the most talented players available. We're building something special, and this is just the beginning."

Alabama A&M plans to fill out the remainder of its 2019 signing class when the NCAA's second signing period for football begins on Feb. 6.

"This is just the start," Maynor said. "In this business, recruiting never stops, and our staff is doing a great job of targeting the type of players who fit the high expectations we've set for ourselves and this program."