On Monday, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, during his annual weekly press conference, provided a cryptic yet revealing answer regarding the lack of playtime for wide receiver Moose Muhammad III, who, in eight games this season, has only recorded 14 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. In the Aggies’ 30-17 win over South Carolina, the junior did not take a single snap against the Gamecocks.
“Just guys are playing an different things we are doing schematically,” Fisher stated. “Some guys are playing and are in the rotation. He will be right there. There is nothing wrong with what he is doing. We will keep going.”
Texas A&M’s starting wide receiver rotation starts and ends with Ainias Smith (33 receptions, 569 yards, 1 TD) and Evan Stewart (37 receptions, 506 yards, 4 TDs). At the same time, Noah Thomas has come back into the fold after recovering from several minor injuries. On Saturday, Grand Valley State transfer WR Jahdae Walker and freshman Micah Tease combined for 38 snaps in Muhammad’s absence, which may solidify Fisher’s scheme-based reasoning.
Going back to last season, specifically after Ainias Smith’s season-ending leg injury in the win against Arkansas, Muhammad, who was previously buried on the depth chart, quickly became one of the lone bright spots for the Aggies with their 5-7 finish, leading the team with 23 receptions and 380 receiving yards in their final five games.
With the critical road trip to face the 11th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels on the docket this weekend, Muhammad’s ability, especially his size (6-1 205 pounds) and route running efficiency should never be questioned on any given Saturday. If the Aggies have any chance at shocking head coach Lane Kiffin’s talented squad, it’s time to release Moose into the open field.
How did he fair against the Rebels last season? Eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. I’d say that warrants an uptick in snaps with Saturday.
Texas A&M will now travel to Oxford (MS) to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 5, where the game will again air on ESPN at 11:00 a.m. CT.
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