Earlier this week, Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher and Aggies starting left tackle Trey Zuhn took a multitude of questions from the local media before their eleventh practice of fall camp, and from this writer’s point of view, both Fisher and Zuhn’s beaming confidence regarding the progress the offensive line has made this offseason provides much-needed context with just two weeks before the Sept. 2 season opener.
For Fisher’s talented yet unproven roster to accomplish any of their lofty goals this season, it begins and ends in the trenches. For the first time since the memorable 2020 9-1 campaign, they might have the horses to compete, and the depth behind the starting five is a big reason why.
Fisher, who has consistently praised the versatility of freshman tackle Chase Bisontis and redshirt freshman guard/center Mark Nabou threw out another intriguing name from his list, as former tight end and current redshirt sophomore tackle Dametreous Crownover, who has continued to stand out this fall as yet another versatile depth piece.
“Chase Bisontis is doing a great job,” Fisher stated. “Dametrious Crownover is having a phenomenal camp. … Mark Nabou has really become a jack of all trades. He is playing center, guard and tackle. He is playing and playing well.”
In a snapshot view, the Aggie’s complete O-line, both starters and backups, is presently constructed as follows:
- Left tackle: (RS) Trey Zuhn III. Backup: (FR) Chase Bisontis
- Left guard: (S) Kam Dewberry. Backup: (RS JR) Aki Ogunbiyi
- Center: (JR) Bryce Foster. Backup: (RS FR) Mark Nabou
- Right guard: (RS SR) Layden Robinson. Backup: (JR) Jordan Spacojevic-Moko
- Right tackle (Jr) Reuben Fatheree II. Backup: (RS SO) Dametrious Crownover
The starting five is more than set, as Foster, Robinson, and Fatheree will hopefully handle the right side for all 12 (hopefully more) games this season, barring injury. Yes, injury is just an annoying part of the position, especially for the Aggies last season, so that versatility mentioned above, a bulk of the O-lineman has shown this month, will surely come in handy late in SEC play.
“We do it in practice all the time,” Fisher stated. “You are trying to get your best five guys across the board and where each guy can be to get your best five.”
In contrast, Kam Dewberry’s impressive play in the latter half of last season, especially his tape against Alabama, has more than solidified his spot at left guard.
Trey Zuhn, the most vital O-line member, was a sight for sore eyes during Monday’s presser, letting us all know that his previous injuries that hindered development have ceased to become a lingering issue this summer.
“Physically, right now, I’m at 110%. I’m stronger than ever. I’m faster than ever. During the season. I had a couple of nicks and knacks that forced me to miss spring ball, but right now, I’m ready to roll.”
Most importantly, the job of an offensive lineman is to move the body in front of them, something we haven’t seen from the Aggies O-line at a consistent pace since the 2020 season, but from top to bottom, freshman to senior, starter to backup, and according to Zuhn, the hog mollies have been doing just that all fall.
“Having everybody back this fall camp has been great. We’re moving guys around a lot because we want as many guys to play as possible.”
If anything, Fisher has been chasing the dream of recreating the 2020 offensive line for the last two seasons that returned 52 out of 65 career starts, including blue-chip guard Kenyon Green, who is now a starter for the Houston Texans.
So, how close is he to achieving that goal this season? We’ll have to wait and see till the games begin, but if continuity and a lack of reserve talent were an issue in 2022, the progress made by both the starters and depth pieces is a good sign that we might be calling the O-line the predominant strength on offense in 2023.
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