Tag: aggies football

Photos: A look back on Antonio Johnson’s Aggie career

Antonio Johnson through the years

Antonio Johnson is a potential first-round pick and is even rated the second-best safety in the 2023 draft by PFF. The 6-3, 200-pound safety missed a few games due to injury last season but still managed to help bring much-needed stability to an extremely young defense playing in a new system.

His sophomore year is where he put up his best numbers during his three years at Texas A&M. In the 12 games he started in 2021 he was second on the team with 79 tackles, had five pass breakups, and ended the season with 8.5 tackles for loss. Johnson was named to the AP All-SEC second team and a PPF All-American during that same year.

Like Achane, Johnson also decided to leave a year early to enter the NFL draft. He will be putting his skill on display along with his fellow Aggies. Check out this excerpt from The Draft Network:

“…Johnson is an instinctive defender that plays a physical brand of football and lines up all over the field. Texas A&M aligns Johnson as a slot corner, split zone safety, and even occasionally as a linebacker and he shows comfort in each of those roles. Johnson is a sharp processor that stays leveraged and has a rapid downhill trigger. He is aggressive in pursuit and physical when playing through contact. Johnson is an outstanding tackler that embraces the fundamentals of arriving balanced, wrapping, and bringing his feet through…”

If Johnson is taken in the first round it will be the first time a defensive player was taken in the first two rounds since 2017. We believe he will end that drought in April when he is picked. Please take a few moments to take a look at some photos over the course of his career.

Photos: A look back on Devon Achane’s Aggie career

Devon Achane throughout the years

Texas A&M has produced a lot of productive college running backs throughout its history. One of the most electrifying has been Devon Achane and his championship-level track speed was on display weekly. After spending a few years splitting time with other backs, he was handed the keys to the car during his junior season where he put up his career-best in rushing yards.

Following the end of the season, Achane made the decision to enter the 2023 NFL Draft and also earned an invite to the NFL Combine located in Indianapolis. NFL analyst, Lance Zierlein, recently gave his overview of the speedster:

Finding a player comparison for Achane is challenging because he has blazing speed and is fearless as an inside runner, but is very small by NFL standards. He has the creativity and burst to create chunk plays but durability concerns will likely limit the amount of carries a team is willing to give him. Achane can be a complementary slasher with the ability to mismatch coverage out of the backfield or from the slot. However, he’s simply too talented and explosive as a runner to be confined to gadget duty. History does not favor backs his size, but his playmaking potential could be too tough to pass up on Day 2 of the draft.

He’s been mocked mainly in the third round on most of the boards I’ve seen, and especially to the Dallas Cowboys due to their running back position being in limbo.

We wish Achane the best in this draft and please take a few moments to take a look at some photos over the course of his career.

Jimbo Fisher rearranges staff for the second year in a row

Jimbo shuffles the deck again to get the hand he wants for his coaching staff

“Aphorism plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

For my non-french speaking friends here is the well-known quote translated as “The more things change the more they stay the same”. Jimbo Fisher’s coaching staff is finalized outside of adding another adviser or analyst. The new additions to the staff caused another rearranging of the deck chair on Fisher’s vessel after a shuffle last season.

Now why start with one of the most famous quotes in history? That’s because a handful of the changes are coaches reverting to their position groups prior to last year. Look below for the who is where for the 2023 season.

Dameyune Craig will move from quarterbacks coach back to wide receivers coach where he spent four seasons (2018 – 2021)

James Coley will move from receivers coach back to tight ends coach where he spent two seasons (2020 – 2021)

New OC Bobby Petrino will be coaching the quarterbacks; a position he excels in and has tons of experience. His hire is probably the driving force for having Coley and Craig move back to their pre-2022 coaching spots.

DJ Durkin will more than likely start coaching the linebackers after the departure of Santucci with no additional hire to replace him.

While these moves are not technically official, an inference can be made based on how the offers have been going out to the high school prospects. I’m personally encouraged by these moves and find myself being a little more optimistic every day.

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 Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1

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Areas of concern heading into week 5 vs. Mississippi State

Two main areas of concern for Texas A&M heading into the Week 5 match-up vs Mississippi State.

We are officially on the doorstep of week 5 of the 2022 college football season, As the Aggies are preparing to take on the 3-1 Mississippi State Bulldogs at their always very loud and intimidating domain, Davis Wade Stadium.

Texas A&M is coming off of their thrilling 23-21 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last Saturday night in a game that would have had the Aggies trailing with nearly a minute left in the fourth quarter if it wasn’t for a Cam Little field goal miss now coined the “oink doink” by those more clever than myself.

Going into the matchup with Mississippi State, The Aggies are playing their first game this season without senior wide receiver Ainias Smith after his devastating season-ending injury in the second half of the Arkansas game, which no matter how you spin it will present a challenge for an offense that hasn’t moved the ball as effectively as they’ve wanted to in four games played. With that, here are a couple of areas of concern I have for Texas A&M going into this weekend:

Texas A&M wide receivers vs. Mississippi State secondary

Earlier this week, I briefly discussed the Bulldog’s pass defense ranked within the Top-50 in the FBS. While facing a secondary that isn’t ranked in say the Top-10, the Aggies still struggled in the passing game against an Arkansas pass defense that before the game, was ranked as the worst in the country, out of 131 teams. What worries me even further is the previously mentioned fact that star slot wide receiver Ainias Smith is out for the season, and aside from senior wideout Jalen Preston who is low on the depth chart, the current starting receiver group is exceptionally talented but very young and inexperienced. However, As Aggies quarterback, Max Johnson is starting his third consecutive game, the hope is that he began to develop a repertoire with his core receiver group.

Bulldog’s quarterback Will Rogers vs. Texas A&M’s defense

If you don’t know about Mississippi States’ starting quarterback, junior Will Rogers by now, I regret to inform you that he could be in for a consecutive huge passing day unless the Aggie defense, which has been quite impressive so far, strategically prepares for head coach Mike Leach’s new age Air Raid offense, putting a ton of pressure on Texas A&M’s linebackers and secondary.

With veteran corners, Myles Jones and Jaylon Jones protecting the boundary, defending the intermediate zone which Leach will likely try to attack throughout the game means that linebacker Chris Russell, who had the best game of his career against Arkansas last Saturday, paired with the always reliable nickel corner Antonio Johnson and outside linebacker Edgrerrin Cooper will be a couple of names to watch.

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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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SEC power rankings after Week 1: Two teams stand out among others

See where each team stands in the latest SEC power rankings after Week 1 of the 2022 season.

Heading into Week 1, there were some questions regarding several SEC programs. In particular, many football fans were skeptical of first-year LSU head coach Brian Kelly, as well as second-year Auburn head coach Brian Harsin. The two are in charge of revitalizing football programs that were essentially at rock bottom in comparison to recent seasons.

Meanwhile, other programs such as Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky were all seen as teams on the rise heading into this season and did not disappoint in Week 1. The two teams that always seem to meet or exceed expectations are Georgia and Alabama. It seemed like neither team missed a beat although both rosters lost multiple players to the NFL draft.

Another program that fans across the country will continue to keep a close eye on is Florida. Under the direction of new head coach Billy Napier, the Gators were able to take down the No. 7 ranked Utah Utes. Today, I will dive into my SEC power rankings after Week 1 of the 2022 season.

Social media reacts to Jimbo Fisher suddenly wanting to play Texas

Apparently a lot has changed over the last year in regards to Jimbo Fisher’s stance on playing Texas.

When news first surfaced that Texas and Oklahoma were interested in departing the Big 12 conference to join the SEC, the Texas A&M Aggies were notably unhappy with the move. Continue reading “Social media reacts to Jimbo Fisher suddenly wanting to play Texas”

Georgia football staffer joining Texas A&M coaching staff

A former Georgia football player and graduate assistant Nick Williams will be joining Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M

Nick Williams, a former Georgia defensive back and graduate assistant on Kirby Smart’s staff, is joining Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M as a defensive analyst.

This is a loss that Georgia will certainly feel in regard to recruiting. Williams was one of the main coaches responsible for reeling in elite recruits, primarily on the defensive line and in the secondary. He played a key role in landing top talent like defensive backs Kelee Ringo, Lewis Cine, Deyon Bouie and current defensive tackle commit Bear Alexander.

According to DawgNation, Williams had been working with the defensive line under assistant coach Tray Scott.

Williams played for the Bulldogs as a defensive back, linebacker and special teamer after signing with Georgia in 2008. The former three-star prospect out of Bainbridge, Georgia played three years with UGA and saw action in 32 games.

Williams will join former UGA coach James Coley (former Bulldogs offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach) and Marshal Malchow (Georgia’s former Director of Player Personnel) in College Station.

Texas A&M vs Florida: 5 Thoughts On The 41-38 Aggie Win Over The Gators

5 thoughts and an instant reaction on the Texas A&M win over Florida.

5 thoughts and an instant reaction on the Texas A&M win over Florida.

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5. Jimbo Fisher got his win

Texas A&M was mediocre in a 17-12 win against Vanderbilt, and it was thoroughly outclassed in the 52-24 loss to Alabama.

Finally, he was able to beat a top five team as the Aggie head coach, but it has to be the beginning. This is what a guy with a national championship ring and a ten-year contract is supposed to do.

This needs to be the game-changer. This needs to be when Texas A&M knows it really can not only hang with the best teams in college football, but beat them.

This was tough. Florida was fantastic, the Aggies were down in the second half, and they adjusted, fought through the adversity, and they came back to pull it off. They forced the late turnover, they took advantage of the situation, and they did it.

It is possible to win really, really big games at Texas A&M.

4. Texas A&M figured out how to pound away

Kellen Mond was brilliant. This was his signature win, hitting 25-of-35 passes for 338 yards and three scores as he calmly led the way on the game-winning drive, but this all turned on the offensive line.

This was the moment when the Aggies knew they could pound away when needed.

The Texas A&M running game was fine in the first two games, but nothing special.

Isaiah Spiller had a few big runs, and super-soph Ainias Smith was used a bit, but the ground attack failed to to hit 200 yards against Vanderbilt and was stuffed by Alabama.

That all changed against the Gators, and it started with a brutal ten play, 75-yard touchdown drive after getting down 28-17 early in the second half on the way to rushing for 205 yards and averaging over five yards per carry.

The offensive line was finally able to eat. It dominated the Gator defensive front when it had to.

3. The Florida defense couldn’t close

Kyle Trask threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s on a better pace than Joe Burrow was after three games last year.

Kyle Pitts was good again – at least early – and the running game was fine. There might have been a late turnover, but this one is on the defense.

The Gators were flirting with problems over the first two games, and against the Aggies, they got burned by a grilling day from QB Kellen Mond, that pounding ground game that took over in the second half, and they couldn’t come through when needed.

The Gators were beaten by big plays through the air, they were ground on when it was time to get physical, and there were problems everywhere in between.

Florida has the talent on D, and it allowed A&M to convert 12-of-15 third down tries along with a fourth down chance. It had to come up with one big stop late, and couldn’t do it.

However …

NEXT: What it means for Florida

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2020 NFL draft: Quartney Davis scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Texas A&M wide receiver prospect Quartney Davis

Quartney Davis | WR | Texas A&M

Elevator Pitch

Davis projects as a slot receiver at the NFL level. He has the ability to get loose in the open field and get big chunks of yards after the catch. Likely a player who is selected on day three of the NFL Draft. His skill set is definitely best served as a third or fourth receiver.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 201

Class | Redshirt Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Strengths

Davis does a good job of working the middle of the field in his routes. His ability to find soft spots in the zone can’t be overlooked. Does a good job of coming in and out of breaks to allow a throwing window for his quarterback. Does a good job of coming to a halt when coverage is tight to create some separation.

He shows the ability of runs after the catch when he is able to get loose from defenders. Throwing screens are a good way to get some chunk plays from Davis. He shows some ability in contested catches with the ability to maintain possession even when a collision is imminent.

Weaknesses

He doesn’t possess top-end speed, so Davis isn’t going to be a vertical threat at the next level for teams. When working against more physical corners who jam him will cause him to get re-routed. The focus should be on how to deal with the initial jolt form a defender. He will need to work on his upper body strength.

Due to his lack of length, Davis doesn’t have a big catch radius for a receiver. His ability to catch the ball outside of his frame is almost non existent. Most due to the fact that his hands are inconsistent. Very much a double catcher or body catcher at the position. Needs to rely more on his hands to be a more consistent producer at the next level.

Due to his size and catch ability, Davis is very limited as to what he can bring to an offense. Doesn’t have it within himself to shake tight coverage and will need accurate passes thrown his way to bring it in. Inconsistent with the jump ball although there are flashes that he can win some of the 50-50 balls.

Projection: Day 3

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Kirby Smart addresses Georgia football’s offensive woes

Georgia faithful still wonder how the much longer the Dawgs’ D can bail out the struggling offense.

Georgia’s 2019 defense is a statistical anomaly. The Junkyard Dawgs will enter their final regular season game ranked fifth in total defense, second in rushing defense, seventh in passing efficiency defense, and have only allowed one rushing touchdown.

The Bulldog Nation thoroughly enjoys watching a defense that can guarantee a win requiring only 21 points. Georgia is one of two teams (Clemson being the other) that hasn’t given up more than 20 points thus far this season.

That said, Georgia faithful still wonder how the much longer the Dawgs’ D can bail out the struggling offense.

Head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged the fans’ echoed concerns after the Silver Britches’ lackluster offense.

“There were things [against Texas A&M] that we missed that were there. That’s the frustrating thing.”

He continued: “You get an opportunity on first and ten to make the plays that we had, and you’ve got to make those.”

Smart, obviously aware of the situation, added that “some of that had nothing to to with the calls…it had to do with execution.”

“[The defense] got tired toward the end of the game. We’re going to have to overcome that, because two weeks in a row now, we’ve kind of lost momentum late and struggled on a couple drives.”

Quarterback Jake Fromm has thrown under 50% for three consecutive games. Compared to his career percentage of 65.5%, the current trend is surprising.

“Offensively, we’ve got to improve. There’s no bones about it.” Smart The message this week is that the next step is the most important step.”