Tag: Aggie football

‘Reggie IS the Heisman trophy’: Johnny Manziel removes himself from ceremony in support of Bush

“I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel said via X on Saturday.

If you’re like me or many others in Aggieland, you woke up Saturday morning to a bold proclamation posted to X by legendary Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Manziel, who was the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, will be stepping away from the annual ceremony. Manziel is taking an indefinite absence until former USC running back Reggie Bush reclaims the award he won in 2005, which he voluntarily forfeited in 2010 amid NCAA investigations.

“After careful thought and consideration, I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel stated on social media. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.

“Do the RIGHT thing NCAA the ball is in your court.

“Much love

“JM2”

Given the NIL era that we all live in today, that should’ve been introduced and regulated decades ago, Johnny is right.

The NCAA should not only restore Bush’s legacy but after everything they’ve put him through over the last 19 years, he deserves his own recognition ceremony in December. That is, of course, before junior QB Conner Weigman hoists the Heisman later in the evening and brings home College Station’s third illustrious trophy.

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Report: Former Texas A&M wide receivers coach has found a new home at Georgia State

According to college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Dameyune Craig is expected to be hired as an offensive assistant coach at Georgia State.

A former Texas A&M wide receivers coach from the Jimbo Fisher era has found a new home.

According to 247Sports & CBS Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Dameyune Craig is expected to be hired as an offensive assistant coach at Georgia State per sources. Craig spent the last six seasons in College Station coaching the Aggies wideouts since 2018.

Craig reunites with new Panthers head coach Dell McGee, who he played with at Auburn in the 1990s. McGee is also expected to hire Tigers analyst Jeremiah Wilson as defensive backs coach, Zenitz reported.

Before arriving in Aggieland, Craig had previous coaching stints with LSU (2004 & 2016), Miami Dolphins (2005), Tuskegee (2006-07), South Alabama (2008-09), Florida State (2010-12 & 2017) and Auburn (2013-15).

The native of Mobile, Alabama played quarterback with the Tigers from 1994-97. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 1998, where he played for four seasons until 2001. He also had a brief offseason stint with the Washington Redskins in 2002.

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ESPN identifies Texas A&M’s quarterback room as its biggest strength entering 2024 season

“The upside of all those quarterbacks getting thrown into the fire due to injuries is that there’s now a solid QB room full of confidence.”

ESPN college football reporters identified the biggest strengths of college football’s top 25 teams on Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 25, Texas A&M‘s biggest strength entering the 2024 season is its quarterbacks, according to Dave Wilson.

“The Aggies have been trying to find the right man for the job since the departure of Kellen Mond in 2020, and Jimbo Fisher‘s complex offense — combined with a struggling offensive line — did them no favors,” Wilson wrote. “But the upside of all those quarterbacks getting thrown into the fire due to injuries is that there’s now a solid QB room full of confidence.

“Starter Conner Weigman threw for 979 yards, 8 TDs and 2 INTs in four starts with a 68.9 completion percentage. Unheralded Fresno State transfer Jaylen Henderson got the job after an injury to backup Max Johnson, and Henderson completed 67.9 percent for 715 yards and 6 TDs to 2 INTs. When Henderson was hurt on the first play of the Texas Bowl against Oklahoma State, true freshman Marcel Reed completed 20-of-33 passes for 361 yards and added a 20-yard TD run.

“New offensive coordinator Collin Klein molded Will Howard and Avery Johnson before departing for College Station and Weigman could be the best Aggies quarterback since Johnny Manziel if he lives up to his potential.”

Johnny Football didn’t quite live up to the hype in the NFL, but will Weigman do so at the college level, led by new head coach Mike Elko? We’ll all find out together beginning on Aug. 31.

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Texas A&M LB prospect Edgerrin Cooper meets with several teams at NFL Combine

Per Aggies Today, junior Edgerrin Cooper visited with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, LA Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, sources say.

Texas A&M junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is turning heads at the NFL Combine and reportedly has met with several teams this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

According to Aggies Today, Cooper visited with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers per sources. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds on Thursday night and the world learned about the love he has for his six dogs.

The report from Aggies Today indicating that Cooper met with the Steelers comes as no surprise to many in Aggieland as he recently “stood out” to Pittsburgh who reportedly “loves” him.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates is also a fan of Cooper’s, joining his colleague Jordan Reid.

“On the short list for best game by any defensive player in college football last year was Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper against Alabama,” Yates stated on X. “A premium athlete that can also play on the edge. In a league with so many mobile QBs, his athleticism and range is invaluable.”

The Steelers pick 20th overall in April’s draft.

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‘I’d play this sh** for free’: Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson speaks at NFL Combine

For someone who stands at 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, Aggies senior defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson is very fast, and proved that Thursday.

For someone who stands at an intimidating 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, Texas A&M senior defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson is very fast.

The native of Lucedale, Mississippi ran a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday night. With the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium beaming down upon him in his first attempt, Jackson ran the 120 feet in 5.27 seconds.

According to Tom Downey, the host of Cowboys Report on Chat Sports, Jackson met with the Dallas Cowboys this week in Indiana. Per Brad Graham of TheSFNiners on X, the reigning NFC Champions also had a formal meeting with Jackson.

“I love football,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I’d play this shit for free but they’re paying, so I’ll take it.”

If either team were to pick the Aggies standout, they would be getting a prospect who is certainly dedicated to his craft.

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Texas A&M LB & NFL Draft prospect Edgerrin Cooper loves his 6 French bulldogs & cane corsos

This week at the NFL Combine, teams are getting to know some of the best prospects in the nation, including the Aggies junior linebacker.

This week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, organizations are getting to know some of the best prospects in the nation.

One of those players is former Texas A&M junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. The AP All-American first-team selection displayed his speed by running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds on Thursday night.

NFL Network national correspondent Stacey Dales also shared a heartwarming anecdote about Cooper. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive signal-caller has six dogs, three French bulldogs and three cane corsos.

“I’ve got some hard-hitting stuff here. You guys were just talking about dogs and it’s important to put the spotlight on Edgerrin Cooper, the linebacker out of Texas A&M,” Dales stated. “His dogs are really important to him. Those are his buddies, they’re with his grandparents right now.”

According to Dales, Cooper walks each dog individually, so he certainly gets his steps in and daily cardio with his buddies collectively for at least three hours a day.

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What will Texas A&M safeties room look like if junior Jacoby Mathews transfers in spring portal?

Mike Elko, Jay Bateman, Ishmael Aristide and Jordan Peterson are assessing what the Aggies safeties room will look like if Mathews departs.

Following the 2023 regular season, former Texas A&M junior safety Jardin Gilbert returned home and chose LSU in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Now Gilbert’s presumed replacement at starting safety is potentially departing from College Station as well. Jacoby Mathews entered the spring transfer portal on Saturday afternoon.

While the incoming junior could still return, head coach Mike Elko, defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and co-defensive backs coaches Ishmael Aristide & Jordan Peterson are likely currently assessing what the Aggies safeties room will look like if Mathews does find a new home.

Gilbert is gone, Mathews is in the portal and incoming junior Jarred Kerr remains from the 2023 roster. Transfers include seniors Trey Jones from Central Michigan & De’Rickey Wright from Vanderbilt.

As a Texas A&M staff member texted Aggies Today on Saturday, “Don’t forget about (incoming sophomore) Dalton Brooks. He’s an all-conference player.”

According to TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci on X, Mathews’ decision to enter the portal “had a lot more to do with no adjusting to heightened expectations inside the program in all areas.”

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‘A whirlwind of epic proportion’: Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko chats with ESPN’s Pete Thamel

“I don’t know that you can describe taking a job on the day that the portal window opens, two weeks before signing day with no staff, right?”

Back in 1998, 21-year-old Mike Elko was finishing his playing career as a safety for Penn University of the Ivy League.

That same year, the Texas A&M football team won the Big 12 Championship led by R.C. Slocum. 26 years later, Elko is head coach of the Aggies, Slocum is interim director of athletics and Texas A&M hasn’t won a conference title since.

The Aggies joined the SEC in 2012 and have yet to appear in a conference championship game. In 2020, Texas A&M finished No. 5 in the nation and was left on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff with Jimbo Fisher at the helm and Elko as defensive coordinator.

Last month, Elko sat down for an extensive Q&A with ESPN college football senior writer & insider Pete Thamel. Junior starting quarterback Conner Weigman, new offensive coordinator & quarterback coach Collin Klein and Notre Dame senior QB Riley Leonard were among the topics of discussion.

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Opinion: Should Texas A&M players opt-in their NIL to appear in EA Sports College Football 25?

Starting on Thursday, athletes around the nation can opt-in to their NIL rights to appear in the upcoming game per On3 reporter Pete Nakos.

After 11 long years, EA Sports will finally be releasing a brand new NCAA college football video game later this year.

It will reportedly be renamed from “NCAA College Football 25” to “EA Sports College Football 25.” Starting on Thursday, student-athletes around the nation can opt-in to their NIL rights to appear in the upcoming game per On3 college sports business & transfer portal reporter Pete Nakos.

According to multiple reports, the players are being offered $600 and a copy of the game for their respective appearance fees. Six Benjamins and the game is a cool offer, considering that college football players from 1993 to 2013 didn’t receive a dime for their NIL. But this news leads to larger questions.

Should Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko encourage all of his players to participate? Should star players like junior quarterback Conner Weigman and sophomore linebacker Taurean York take the initial offer?

This CFB franchise’s return is highly anticipated, but it’s also been gone for 11 years. Therefore, current college football players likely haven’t grown up playing it as much as those from a decade ago, minimizing the nostalgia factor.

If I were a primetime player, I would try to maximize my NIL rights. Worst case scenario, you end up like Bill Belichick in Madden, it’s worth the risk.

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‘I promise you he will change the program around’: 4-star RB commit Deondrae Riden believes in Mike Elko

The Aggies have received 4 commitments from the Class of 2025 and the latest was 4-star running back Deondrae “Tiger” Riden on Monday night.

The Texas A&M football program has received four commitments from the Class of 2025 and the latest was 4-star running back Deondrae “Tiger” Riden on Monday night.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound halfback from Desoto High School in Texas is a big fan of his future head coach, Mike Elko, as he recently shared with On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman.

“Elko, Elko, Elko… he’s one of the best coaches in the game and everything he’s doing for the program is putting people on notice,” Riden told On3. “I promise you he will change the program around.

“Coach Elko is a good dude. He’s a real dude, there’s something about the way he carries himself, the way he talks.”

Riden is also a fan of defensive line coach Tony Jerod-Eddie and associate HC & running backs coach Trooper Taylor.

“I went to check out the vibes, see the vibes. I met with them earlier (last) week and they’re all good people. They’re straightforward and they don’t sugarcoat anything,” Riden told On3. “I think it’s gonna be a big change.”

The Desoto junior reportedly “loved” his visit to College Station earlier this month according to 247Sports’ director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong.

“I’m big on relationships and everyone around there treats me like family,” Riden told 247Sports. “The main thing that catches my eye regarding Mike Elko and the staff is how everyone has the same goal and believes in each other. It’s like everyone is on the same page and I’m loving it.”

Every commit from next year’s class hails from the Lone Star State thus far. The other three players are 4-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway and 3-star prospects, linebacker Kelvion Riggins & interior offensive lineman Joshua Moss.

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