Texas A&M Aggies 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Kevin Sumlin, who, like Charlie Strong at Texas, was never a great fit for the Aggies, has finally moved on. The Aggies made a big splash move by hiring Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State for an obscene amount of cash, and the move had better pay dividends, as it is already one of the more controversial contracts in college football history. Jimbo will be tasked to improve recruiting, when it became obvious last fall that recruiting was not all it was cracked up to be with the Seminoles. He has the unenviable task of making A&M relevant in the SEC West, where he has to go up against Alabama, Auburn, and the rest of the cast. Can it work?
Breakdown Offense: It would appear that there is a battle brewing heading into fall camp between Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond. Starkel seems to be the better fit for what a Pro Set offense is supposed to look like, as he passed for 1793 yards and 14 TDs to 6 INTs last fall, while completing 60% of his passes in 7 games. He is more of a pocket presence that works best in a Jimbo Fisher offense, but yet, Monds, a dual threat QB, is still holding on after passing for 1375 yards with 8 TDs and 6 INTs, and a 51% completion rate. I will stick my neck out and project that Starkel wins out, but he will have to stay healthy to hold the job.
Trayveon Williams is the guy at RB, and should hopefully see an increase in carries per game in the new offense. With his explosive ability, he should be one of the better backs in the SEC. He rushed for 798 yards an 8 scores, but carried the ball just 14.42 times per game in the spread offense. That should change in the Pro Set scheme. There is an ongoing battle for the RB2 spot heading into fall camp between Kendall Bussey and Jacob Kibodi. They combined for 58 carries last season, and Bussey should have the edge in the battle, a she carried the ball 47 of those 58 carries last fall.
Christian Kirk and Damion Ratley. who combined for 101 receptions last fall, have both moved on. Jhamon Ausbon becomes the new top receiver after playing in every game as a freshman last fall. He caught 50 passes for 571 yards and 3 scores, but must become more of a field stretching receiver this fall. Cam Buckley should be the guy replacing Kirk inside, as he averaged 16.59 yards per catch as a freshman last fall. Kendrick Rodgers, Clyde Chriss, and Hezekiah Jones are scheduled to have a battle for the 3rd starting WR spot in fall camp, but that battle could also go some way to create depth. Roshauud Paul is another candidate for some reps in the SLOT spot, and will add some weaponry to the return game as well.
The TE spot was devalued by the former staff, but will once again become a weapon. Jace Sternberger had a huge spring and was the MVP of the spring game, and will take the starting spot. Camron Horry will be his backup, but Sternberger is the guy here.
The line returns 3 starters in Keaton Sutherland (LG), Erik McCoy (C), and Connor Lanfar (RG), but both Tackle spots need to find starters in fall camp. Koda Martin was favored to win the LT job, but fell ill and missed the end of spring camp, leaving the door open for Dam Moore, Jr. to still have a shot to steal the job. Carson Green took hold of the RT sot in spring camp, and looks to have locked it down as a sophomore. Kellen Diesch will back him up. Jared Hocker is expected to give a push to Lanfear at RG in fall camp, while Grayson Reed will back up the LG spot. Colton Prater will back up at C, but can play just about anywhere.
Breakdown Defense: Texas A&M played a style of defense that utterly failed to live up to the great defenses of Aggie past under Kevin Sumlin, and the hope is that DC Mike Elko can bring back the great defense of Aggie lore.
The line returns 2 starters in DE Landis Durham and DT Kingsley Keke. Durham tied for the team lead last fall with 12 TFLs, and added a team leading 10.5 sacks and 56 tackles. Keke is more of a land mover in the middle, opening up holes for others to make plays. The staff is looking to upgrade his role, as he totaled just 2.5 TFLs. Sophomore Justin Madubuike is slated to start at the open DT spot, while Michael Clemons is penciled in at the open DE spot, but look for Tyree Johnson to push hard for that DE spot in fall camp. Ondario Robinson is another name to watch at DE this fall after redshirting last season. Jayden Peevy and Jaylen Mack add depth inside.
The LB unit returns 2 starters in Otaro Alaka and Tyrel Dodson. Dodson led the team last fall with 105 tackles, and added 11 TFLs. Alaka finished with 78 tackles, and tied for the team lead with 12 TFLs. They combined for 11 sacks as well, so this unit should be stacked. Buddy Johnson should step into the ROLB spot. Johnson totaled 20 tackles as a freshman last fall. Anthony Hines, Santino Marchiol, and Ikenna Okeke add solid depth.
The secondary had some struggles last fall, but they do return 3 starters to this unit, so there is hope with a new staff around to fix the problems. Debione Renfro and Charles Oliver return at CB. Oliver tied for the team lead with 8 PBUs (Dodson also had 8 at LB). He added 24 tackles on the season. The trick now is to turn some of those PBUs into turnovers. Renfro finished with 5 PBUs, and totaled 54 tackles. Clifford Chattman, who missed last fall due to academic issues, could push Renfro hard in fall camp. Travon Fuller and Myles Jones will also be pushing for reps.
FS Derrick Tucker is the other returning starter in the secondary. He totaled 55 tackles and 4 PBUs, and returned a pick for a score. He should be joined by SS Donovan Wilson, who has the task of filling in for the departed Armani Watts. Deshawn Capers-Smith should see some time on the field as well, and Keldrick Carper adds depth here.
Breakdown Special Teams: Daniel LaCamera will give the Aggies a huge scoring weapon, as he nailed 18/21 FGs last season, and hit 51/52 PATs. Expect him to be one of the top kickers in the SEC this fall.
Braden Mann is the lone option at Punter, as Shane Tripucka moves on. Mann was rock solid in spring camp, and had a huge spring game.
The return game loses Kirk, but with Paul and Buckley, there are available options that should keep the Aggies on the rails.
Final Analysis: There simply will not be much of a growth window for Fisher with the Aggies after the kind of cash they threw at him to leave Florida State. The Aggies paid him $75 million over 10 years, a ridiculous deal for anyone, to bring A&M to the top of the heap with Alabama in the SEC West, and while there is no expectation that happens this season, expectations are still sky high. Fisher has enough talent on hand, and should be a stabilizing figure in a locker room and coaching staff gone nuts under Sumlin. The Aggies could get to 8 wins easily this season, but 8 wins or less was why Sumlin was fired, so the goal is to increase that total in 2019.
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