Tag: aggies football

‘I really earned it,’ Texas A&M LB Taurean York shares reaction to SEC Media Days invite

“I really feel like it was a blessing because I know that I really earned it. I know that I came from a 3-star and not many people knew me.”

In a recent interview with TexAgs, Texas A&M sophomore linebacker Taurean York shared his reaction to finding out that he’d be attending SEC Football Media Days in Dallas next week.

“I really feel like it was a blessing because I know that I really earned it. I know that I came from a 3-star and not too many people knew me whenever I signed here. But I think it’s a blessing just to have the ability to represent my teammates and that my teammates and my coaching staff feels like I’m capable and applicable to represent them at media day,” York explained. “We’re here to stay and we’re here to prove a point. Really, I feel like we have a lot of experience. We got coach Elko, obviously he’s a brilliant defensive mind but he’s a great head coach as well. He breaks us down how to win the game. Coach Moffitt has championship experience.

“So those two combined, I like our chances this year.”

York will be joined by teammates, senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner and junior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III.

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‘You’re the enemy,’ Lions coach Dan Campbell criticizes Schlossnagle’s exit from Texas A&M

“I hate to see him go, ’cause he’s a good coach.” On the flipside, man, hey, sayonara. So, now you’re the enemy, so let’s go beat his a**.”

Detroit Lions head coach and Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell shared his opinion this week about Jim Schlossnagle’s exit from the baseball program in College Station for the Longhorns in Austin.

In a radio interview Wednesday on Dallas’ 96.7 The Ticket, Campbell didn’t mince words.

“You try to put yourself in his shoes, and who knows the decisions, the reasons. What do you say, what do you not say? It’s one of those tough moments, I hate to criticize,” Campbell said. “I know this, as an Aggie, I hate to see him go, ’cause he’s a good coach. Immediately after though, he tipped his hand — if ever so slightly. On the flipside, man, hey, sayonara. So, now you’re the enemy, so let’s go beat his a**.”

Detroit begins the 2024 season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8 at 7:20 p.m. Campbell’s Aggies host Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.

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University of Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle speaks at his introductory news conference at the Frank Denius Family University Hall of Fame Wednesday June 26, 2024.

‘Striving for excellence,’ 5-star Aggies 2025 QB commit Husan Longstreet recaps Elite 11

“I just love what he did at Duke. It’s very rare to see a coach change around a program,” he said. “I don’t see why he can’t do it there.”

Texas A&M 2025 five-star quarterback commit Husan Longstreet recently competed at the Elite 11 Finals, making it clear that his recruitment is shutdown and that he’s coming to College Station.

“I think it went pretty good. I’m just excited to be around here with the guys. It’s a lot of good competition here,” Longstreet told Tom Loy of 247Sports. “Really just learning the true definition of competing, really striving for excellence. That’s the biggest thing that I took away.

“I just love what he did at Duke. It’s very rare to see a coach change around a program. I think with the people that he has in place on staff like coach Klein, coach Bateman, I don’t see why he can’t do it there… I like to go fishing. I like to hang out with my family. Just good, quality family time gives me a sense of peace.

“(Elko) is a great person. There’s nothing that you can’t ask from him. He’s going to be straight up, tell you what it is and what it isn’t. Those are the things that I love about him.”

Longstreet received 31 offers and took only two visits, to Aggieland and Auburn.

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Did EA Sports get the ‘toughest stadium’ rankings wrong?

EA Sports revealed its rankings of the toughest stadiums to play in College Football 25, but did they swing and miss?

As the July 19, 2024 release date approaches for the highly-anticipated EA Sports College Football 25 video game, more information continues to come out. The latest batch of information to be revealed was a ranking for the toughest stadiums to play in.

The top 10 features expected programs, such as the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide.

While it’s tough to argue over the facts that these programs certainly belong in the top 10, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where they belong in the rankings.

What has stirred some debate, however, is the No. 1 overall spot, which belongs to the Texas A&M Aggies. Some fans and experts aren’t convinced that Kyle Field is actually the toughest stadium for visiting teams.

Though it certainly is tough, as evidenced by the sheer size of the stadium and impact the loud fans have on the game, is it more difficult to play there than anywhere else?

Patrick Conn of the College Sports Wire argues that LSU and Alabama would probably be the more appropriate pick. He backed it up with statistics.

“Two other teams that hail from the SEC have been more dominating at home than the Aggies and they were ranked No. 2 and No. 3 on EA Sports’ list. The LSU Tigers have finished with seven seasons with an unblemished home record since 2004.

“The Alabama Crimson Tide have 10 seasons with an unblemished home record since 2007, the year that Nick Saban took over the program. Under the guidance of Saban, the Tide were 108-9 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Now that is some home dominance.”

Conn acknowledges that EA Sports respects the Tigers and Tide by having them ranked immediately behind Kyle Field. However, he points to the fact that, when it comes down to it, visiting teams have a harder time playing in Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge than they do in College Station.

Additionally, Conn states that Texas A&M has only had one perfect season in games played at Kyle Field since 2000, which was during the pandemic with a reduced schedule and little-to-no fans in the seats.

Overall, this isn’t to say Kyle Field isn’t one of the most daunting environments to play in as a visiting team. It’s just a matter of asking the question of if Kyle Field is the most daunting environments to play in as a visiting team.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

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Former Texas A&M center Bryce Foster is reportedly visiting a Big Ten program again this weekend

According to a recent report from ScoopDuck, Aggies sophomore center Bryce Foster may be nearing a decision on where he’d like to play next.

According to a recent report, former Texas A&M sophomore center Bryce Foster may be nearing a decision on where he would like to play next.

Per Justin Hopkins of On3’s ScoopDuck, Foster visited Oregon a few weeks ago and plans to return to Eugene this weekend. The Ducks will formally join the Big Ten in August as 1-of-18 teams in the conference.

During his time in Bryan-College Station, Foster racked up the accolades. As a true freshman in 2021, he was selected to the three exclusive lists: SEC All-Freshman Team, Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team and The Athletic Freshman All-America First Team.

Foster started in 12 games as a true freshman and redshirt sophomore, respectively. He started in four games during the 2022 season before suffering a season-ending injury and ultimately taking a redshirt year. Despite getting hurt, he was presented with the Offensive Most Explosive Award at the Aggies’ banquet.

Foster was a 4-star recruit in 2021 coming out of Taylor High School in Katy, Texas. He is 6-foot-5, 330 pounds and has two years of eligibility remaining.

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Texas A&M is 1-of-12 schools to accomplish a men’s sports hat trick this year

Texas A&M has had several phenomenal performances in men’s athletics during the 2023-24 school year, which was solidified this weekend.

Texas A&M has had several phenomenal performances in men’s athletics during the 2023-24 school year, which was solidified this weekend.

The No. 3 Aggies baseball team (44-13, 19-11 SEC) earned the third overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Texas A&M will host the Bryan-College Station Regional against the Texas Longhorns, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Grambling State Tigers.

In December, the Aggies football team played in the Texas Bowl. Then the men’s basketball team parlayed March Madness success at the SEC Tournament to an NCAA Tournament bid.

By reaching the postseason in three men’s sports, Texas A&M became 1-of-12 schools to accomplish the feat this year. According to Ben Stevens on X, the other universities are the Alabama Crimson Tide, Arizona Wildcats, Clemson Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, James Madison Dukes, Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels, NC State Wolfpack, Oregon Ducks, Tennessee Volunteers and Texas.

Ross Bjork might’ve departed Aggieland in January for The Ohio State University but he left the men’s programs in great shape.

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Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith selected in fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Ainias Smith is headed to Philadelphia!

Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith has been selected 152nd overall in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Smith was a 2023 first team SEC selection in two separate categories: all-purpose and as a return specialist. He hauled in at least 1 catch in 39 consecutive games. The graduate student racked up 1,204 all-purpose yards last season with 53 receptions for 795 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He added 285 punt return yards and 103 kick return yards, including a career-high 131 punt return yards against Arkansas on Sept. 30. During the 34-22 win against the Razorbacks at “Jerry’s World,” he returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.

Smith is very comparable to former Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson, given his ability to be a reliable receiver on offense and a lethal option in the punt and return game on special teams.

Four Aggies have been selected in the draft thus far including: Edgerrin Cooper, McKinnley Jackson and Layden Robinson.

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Texas A&M OT Layden Robinson selected in fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Layden Robinson is headed to New England!

Texas A&M offensive lineman Layden Robinson is headed to the New England Patriots after being selected as the 103rd-overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday morning.

The five-year veteran right guard has a chance to thrive at the next level. On the field, Robinson’s 6-5, 313-pound frame paired with his 34-inch arms has aided his ability to hold up in pass protection.

However, he will need to work on technique in order to reach his full potential at the next level. Robinson allowed just 1 sack in 400-plus snaps during the 2023 season.

Robinson’s potential is undeniable. In the run game, he’s a force to be reckoned with, playing with a consistently aggressive demeanor that doesn’t waver until the final whistle blows.

As the Patriots head into a rebuild, Robinson’s chances of earning a starting spot amid the interior in the next two years are promising. Joining Edgerrin Cooper and McKinnley Jackson, Robinson is the third Aggie drafted so far this weekend.

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College Football Playoff committee approves interesting move ahead of the inaugural 12-team playoff format

Earlier this week, the College Football Playoff Board of Managers unanimously revised the qualifying criteria in its new 12-team postseason.

Earlier this week, the College Football Playoff Board of Managers unanimously revised the qualifying criteria in its new 12-team format.

Beginning next season, the CFP will award automatic berths to the five highest-ranked conference champions.

“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” Chair of the CFP Board of Managers & Mississippi State University President, Dr. Mark Keenum, said Tuesday. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”

The move alleviates a previous inconvenience presented by the former CFP format when there were four spots, ultimately excluding one of the Power Five champions. However, that’s no longer an issue following the Pac-12‘s demise.

The CFP’s original plan was for six of the highest-ranked conference champions to receive a guaranteed berth. Which leads to the question, why would the remaining four Group of Five conferences approve of such a decision?

CBS Sports national college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah presented a logical answer on X.

“The initial CFP 6+6 contract ends in 2025,” Jeyarajah stated. “After that, there is no guarantee that there will be any guaranteed spots. The G5 is trading short-term benefits for long-term assurance.”

Texas A&M has yet to qualify for the CFP but nearly did so in 2020, finishing No. 5 led by former coach Jimbo Fisher.

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Texas A&M commit Dominick McKinley not expected to sign in December

Texas is one of several teams making a late push for five-star DL Dominick McKinley.

Texas A&M commit Dominick McKinley is no longer expected to sign with the Aggies during the early signing period. Continue reading “Texas A&M commit Dominick McKinley not expected to sign in December”