Everything Texas A&M Head coach Jimbo Fisher had to say before the Aggies’ 13th spring football practice

The Aggies head coach spoke on a number of topics including the Maroon and White game, quarterback Conner Weigman, and the potential to be active in the upcoming transfer portal window.

As spring football begins to wind down for Texas A&M a few key members of the football program took a few minutes to sit down with the media ahead of the team’s 13th practice.

In addition to tight ends Demani Richardson and Max Wright, head coach Jimbo Fisher answered questions for roughly 15 minutes on Tuesday. With the Aggies entering a pivotal 2023 season in a matter of months, Fisher had plenty of topics to touch on from the state of the roster to whether or not they are prepared to be active in the upcoming transfer portal window.

The full video of Jimbo Fisher’s press conference can be found below, as well as our breakdown of each key topic covered during his session with the media.

Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Safety position breakdown

After losing a key contributor to the 2023 NFL Draft, we break down the state of the safety position group for the Aggies next season.

Spring football for Texas A&M is well underway, which means it’s every fan’s obligation to parse through the depth chart ahead of what will be an important 2023 season. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered by breaking down each positional battle, and up next is taking a look at the safety group.

For all the faults and frustrations of a year ago, this position proved to be one of the more brighter spots of the Aggies’ 2022 campaign. The secondary unit allowed the fewest opponent passing yards per game in the FBS (156.2) and the play of the safeties was a vital factor.

Thanks to the placement of the safeties and corners, A&M allowed just five plays of 30 or more yards through the air in 2022. Much of that production comes back next season, but the departure of Antonio Johnson, who declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, will be felt nonetheless.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current safety group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

SS Senior Demani Richardson (12 games, 73 total tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble)
SS Redshirt Freshman Bobby Taylor
FS Junior Jardin Gilbert (11 games, 61 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions)
FS Sophomore Jacoby Mathews (10 games, 25 total tackles, 3 pass breakups)

Departures

Junior Antonio Johnson (declared for the 2023 NFL Draft)

While there are a number of position groups to have qualms or uncertainties about, the safety unit is one to feel confident in, which is okay for Aggies fans! This group is welcoming back a handful of veteran players, with Richardson coming back with the most experience at strong safety. Additionally, Gilbert is a three-year player and a two-year starter, so don’t expect any growing pains from him. Mathews closed out last year strong and feels more than capable of playing the role of that third safety.

The question lies in replacing the production, and presence, of Antonio Johnson, whose physicality and versatility provided another layer to this backend unit. As we saw last year, Johnson lined up at a multitude of positions from playing as a nickel corner, to a split zone safety, and even at times coming in as linebacker.

Do the Aggies currently have anyone capable of replicating that same type of impact?

Bryce Anderson and Jared Kerr give A&M more than capable options and the truth of the matter is that perhaps the Aggies don’t need an immediate replacement for Johnson. So long as their two experienced safeties in Richardson and Gilbert hold up, there’s no reason to believe this unit’s production can’t remain consistent in 2023.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Linebacker position breakdown

As spring football for the Aggies nears its end, we take a look at the linebacker group which is hoping for a rebound performance in 2023.

Last year’s performance from the group can be summed up in just a few words: much to be desired. To their credit, a combination of injuries and poor performance from the interior meant that opposing defenses very much had their way when attacking the second level. Playing a 3-2-6 didn’t make things any easier as they failed to stunt opponents up front or blitz back seven defenders.

Overall it was a tough season for the unit, whether as a result of their own individual performance or a factor of playing in an inconsistent scheme. The Maroon and White, in large part, have two experienced backers in the fold for 2023, which means next season will be the tale of reloading and rebounding from 2022.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current linebacker group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

MLB Senior Chris Russell Jr. (12 games, 66 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive touchdown)
WLB Redshirt junior Edgerrin Cooper (11 games, 61 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 5 pass breakups)
WLB Sophomore Martrell Harris Jr. (12 games, 7 total tackles, 1 forced fumble)

New additions

Freshman Taurean York
Freshman Daymion Sanford
Freshman Chantz Johnson

There’s no uncertainty around who will be the starters for this unit come fall. The reigns are in the hands of Cooper and Russell, and the Aggies have a potentially athletic playmaker in Harris backing those two up. But as we saw last season, poor performance and a lack of depth, in large part due to injuries, is one of the many issues that plagued this team. That statement rings true for the defense and this unit in particular.

Freshman Taurean York has flashed his upside in spring camp, but he’s a first-year nonetheless and as the Aggie faithful witnessed last season, throwing in your true freshmen into the fire will undoubtedly result in some growing pains. So, where does A&M go from here in addressing these issues?

We’ll likely find out come April 15, which is when the college football transfer window is set to re-open. Jimbo Fisher and the coaching staff should be particularly active in bolstering their roster depth on the defensive side of the ball, and the linebacker unit is no exception.

While the starters look promising on paper and through spring camp, this coming season is too significant for the Maroon and White to go off the hope that injuries don’t creep up once more in 2023.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Cornerback position breakdown

As spring football for the Aggies nears its end, we assess the current state of the cornerback unit which spotlights as a big question mark for the Maroon and White.

It’s amazing how quickly the narrative can change over the course of 12 months. A season ago the Aggies boasted a unit of loaded talent on the backend, and that belief translated into production on the field. A&M finished the 2022 season allowing the fewest passing yards per game (156.2) through the air in the FBS.

Now that once highly-lauded unit is arguably one of, if not, the biggest question mark for Jimbo Fisher and this football program as spring football nears its end.

The departure of Jaylon Jones to the NFL certainly stings, and an inconvenient timing of injuries means that valuable snaps could be given to the newcomers and transfers to College Station. Unless some big moves are taken, it could spell early-season trouble for the Maroon and White.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current cornerback group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

Junior Tyreek Chappell (11 games, 44 total tackles, 8 pass breakups)
Redshirt sophomore Deuce Harmon (4 games, 9 total tackles)
Sophomore Bryce Anderson (11 games, 28 total tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble)
Sophomore Jarred Kerr (11 games, 22 total tackles, 2 pass breakups)

Departures

Junior Jaylon Jones (declared for the 2023 NFL Draft)

New additions

Transfer senior Tony Grimes
Transfer sophomore Sam McCall
Freshman Jayvon Thomas
Freshman Bravion Rogers

With Chappell and Thomas not being on the field since the start of spring training, and with Harmon rehabbing from ankle surgery, the Aggies are greatly lacking experienced players at the cornerback position. That spells trouble heading into next season, and if the injury bug continues to persist, then that would mean defensive coordinator DJ Durkin would be handing the starting reigns over to the likes of transfers Tony Grimes and Sam McCall.

To put it gently, that’s very much less than ideal for an Aggies team heading into a significant 2023 season. Jimbo Fisher would be wise to explore every avenue possible when the transfer portal reopens in May, and offering former Boston College corner Josh DeBerry only illustrates how this position group is likely top of mind for Fisher.

It’s not a stretch to claim that the state of the cornerback room today makes it the most uncertain positional group for the Maroon and White. Thankfully there’s still some time ahead of the fall season, and the Aggies will likely need a combination of good health and transfer portal additions to bring some added assurance to this unit.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Defensive line position breakdown

Texas A&M will return a talented front seven next season, and the position group is shaping up to be an absolute terror for the rest of the SEC.

While a large part of the Aggies’ 2022 regular season woes were a result of inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball, the defense managed to hold up its end of the bargain. Texas A&M finished last season with an average of 21.2 points per game surrendered to their opponents, which ranked 25th in the nation.

Even amid a year of injuries, suspensions, and inexperience from younger players, The Aggies’ front seven flashed their potential in 2022 as a dominant force to come in the SEC. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone after Jimbo Fisher pulled in a historic recruiting class, but what would make foes worried is that this position group still has so much potential heading into next season.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current defensive line group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

DE – Sophomore Shemar Stewart (12 games) / Sophomore LT Overton (11 games)
NT – Senior McKinnley Jackson (8 games) / Senior Isaiah Raikes (12 games) / Redshirt Sophomore Albert Regis (11 games)
DT – Junior Shemar Turner (11 games) / Sophomore Walter Nolen (10 games) / Redshirt Freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
EDGE – Redshirt Junior Fadil Diggs (8 games) / Sophomore Enai White (7 games) / Sophomore Malick Sylla (12 games)

Key thoughts and predictions:

That historic 2022 recruiting class was headlined by the likes of No. 1 defensive lineman Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart, L.T. Overton, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. All those aforementioned names flashed their upside a season ago, but now with a year of experience in their back pocket, it sets up this defensive line group to absolutely roll over their opponents next season.

It won’t happen overnight, and there is plenty of work and refinement needed between spring ball and Week 1, but this projected starting lineup should have Aggie fans ecstatic for the fall.

We’ll see how the final depth chart shakes out after spring practices, but a likely starting lineup could be Fadil Diggs on the edge, with McKinnley Jackson, Stewart and either Nolen or Shemar Turner rounding out the front four.

Don’t let the outside noise and talking heads get you too worked up by singling out A&M’s offense. It would be negligent to see what’s brewing on the defensive line for the Maroon and White in 2023. It’s shaping up to be a beautiful sight for the Aggie faithful, and an absolute terror for the rest of the SEC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Offensive line position breakdown

As spring ball for the Aggies moves forward, we break down the unit tasked with protecting the QB and opening up running lanes.

The Maroon and White have a promising 2023 season ahead of them, so long as Conner Weigman takes another leap and the Aggies effectively replace the production left by the departure of Devon Achane. All those goals will be rendered moot if the five-man unit upfront struggles to improve from last year’s performance.

A combination of injuries and limited depth up front plagued A&M’s offensive line last season, setting up the unit to arguably be one of the biggest question marks heading into spring football.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current offensive line group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

LT – Redshirt sophomore Trey Zuhn III (played in 11 games last season)
LT – Redshirt sophomore Dametrious Crownover (played in 8 games last season, started 1 game)
LG – Sophomore Kam Dewberry (played in 7 games last season, started 5 games)
LG – Redshirt junior Aki Ogunbiyi
LG – Redshirt junior Josh Bankhead (played in all 12 games last season)
C – Junior Bryce Foster (played in 4 games last season, started all 4 games)
C – Redshirt sophomore Matthew Wykoff (played in all 12 games last season, started 9 games)
C- Redshirt sophomore Remington Strickland (played in 2 games last season)
RG – Redshirt senior Layden Robinson (played in all 12 games last season)
RG – Junior Jordan Spasojevic-Moko (played in 5 games last season, started 2 games)
RG – Redshirt freshman Mark Nabou (played in 2 games last season)
RT – Reuben Fatheree II (played in all 12 games last season)
RT – Redshirt freshman Hunter Erb

Departures

PJ Williams (appeared in one game last season)

Incoming additions

Chase Bisontis (early-enrolled freshman)
TJ Shanahan (early-enrolled freshman)
Colton Thomasson (early-enrolled freshman)
Naquil Bertrand (June-arriving freshman)

Key thoughts and predictions:

It’s time to infuse some positive vibes when assessing this unit by making the claim that last season’s struggles could reap rewards in 2023.

Yes, according to Football Outsiders, the Aggies’ o-line ranked 64th in sack rate (6.3%) and 101st in run stuff rate (19.9%), which measures the percentage of carries by running backs that are stopped at or before the line of scrimmage. But the argument can be made that with the growing pains behind them, the collective experience within the starting unit means there is nowhere to go but up.

The projected starting lineup seems to be set in LT Trey Zuhn, LG Kam Dewberry, C Bryce Foster, RG Layden Robinson, and RT Reuben Fatheree II. That’s a combined 75 game appearances between them, and I think this unit should only benefit from some creative playcalling with Bobby Petrino now helming the offense.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Twitter reacts to Jimbo Fisher’s comments on who will call plays for the Aggies

Another day, another classic Jimbo Fisher press conference. Twitter reacted after the Aggies coach commented on who will call plays this season.

Apologies if it took a few days to digest, but that’s the reality when dealing with a Texas A&M football “crisis” beginning to unfold. If Jimbo Fisher’s recent comments are to be taken verbatim, are we in the midst of tension brewing over in College Station?

Let’s quickly unpack the situation.

The Aggies’ head coach sent some shockwaves through the Twittersphere after speaking to the media about who would call plays for the 2023 season. Naturally, after hiring Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator, it would make sense for him to be the one calling plays, right?

Well, it resulted in another classic Jimbo press conference answer, as he took a relatively straightforward question and handed back an equally ambiguous answer to the media:

“We’ll go through that as we go. I plan on him making calls. I plan on him calling plays. I don’t have a problem with that at all.”

Aggies players probably know what to make of Jimbo’s words, and A&M fans are likely equipped to comprehend what he means. But when it comes to the Twitter landscape? It’s safe to say they had a field day.

Take a look a some of the social media reactions to Jimbo’s comments on who will call plays for Texas A&M this season:

Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Quarterback position breakdown

Spring football for the Aggies is well underway which means it’s time to break down each positional unit, starting with the quarterbacks.

While one would assume the starting quarterback choice is all but decided for 2023, new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has an interesting dilemma on his hands.

Both individuals in the QB room fit into Petrino’s scheme, and Jimbo Fisher recently mentioned to the media that every position is an open competition. Granted, that is the essence of spring ball, but the QB position will always be unique in itself.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current quarterback position shapes up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

Sophomore Conner Weigman: 73-132 (55.3%), 896 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT in 5 games in 2022
Redshirt junior Max Johnson: 43-71 (60.6%), 517 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Departures

Redshirt junior Haynes King (transferred to Georgia Tech)

Key thoughts and predictions:

Through day one of spring ball it was Weigman logging snaps with the first unit while Johnson lined up with the second unit, which shouldn’t be a surprise at this point. Weigman flashed his potential through five starts last season, and while Johnson has the leg up in experience I think it’s the unspoken truth that the former will be the starting quarterback in the fall.

Jimbo may say that every position is an open competition, but the quarterback job feels set in stone; barring some major struggles from Weigman during the spring program.

The Aggies need their starting signal-caller in 2023 to be “the guy” in order to prove that the trajectory this program is on is the right one. Pencil in Weigman to be that guy come Week 1 next season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M 2023 spring football schedule breakdown and info

Texas A&M officially opened its 2023 spring football program, kicking off practices that culminate with the Maroon and White game.

Texas A&M spring football officially kicked off with the Aggies’ first practice today and will culminate with the much anticipated Maroon and White spring game on April 15. Over the course of the next few weeks, the team’s program will consist of 15 mandated practices with a handful of scrimmages and the Aggies Pro Day (March 28) sandwiched in between.

To say there’s much anticipation surrounding the spring program would be an understatement, as A&M looks to put together a convincing bounce-back season following their 5-7 (2-6 SEC) regular season campaign in 2022.

The Maroon and White put together a promising display down the stretch of last season, highlighted by true freshman Conner Weigman logging five starts and flashing the potential to be the future of the program. The addition of Bobby Petrino to helm the offense is just one of many questions lingering ahead of spring football.

Still, there is plenty of room for optimism in College Station as the Aggies return 19 of the 22 players who started in the 38-23 season finale victory against LSU. A&M’s depth chart should also be bolstered by some of the younger players that were part of the 2022 recruiting class that was ranked as the best in the country.

Check out the full spring schedule breakdown below:

Monday, March 20: Practice 1
Wednesday, March 22: Practice 2
Thursday, March 23: Practice 3
Saturday, March 25: Practice 4
Monday, March 27: Practice 5
Tuesday, March 28: Pro Day
Wednesday, March 29: Practice 6
Thursday, March 30: Practice 7
Saturday, April 1: Practice 8
Monday, April 3: Practice 9
Wednesday, April 5: Practice 10
Thursday, April 6: Practice 11
Monday, April 10: Practice 12
Wednesday, April 12: Practice 13
Thursday, April 13: Practice 14
Saturday, April 15: Practice 15 and Maroon & White Game

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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