Tag: Aggies in the NFL

Colts cornerback and Aggies alumnus Jaylon Jones ‘makes a play every drive’ per Pat McAfee

“Jaylon Jones, #40 for the Colts, might be an All Pro this year,” McAfee tweeted on Sunday afternoon. “Makes a play every drive seemingly.”

This past weekend in Jacksonville, former Texas A&M football player Jaylon Jones got the attention of one of the loudest and prominent talking heads in sports, Pat McAfee.

The former Colts punter, ESPN personality and arguably most famous fan in Indiana praised Jones for his play during a 37-34 loss against the Jaguars in Week 5.

“Jaylon Jones, #40 for the Colts, might be an All Pro this year,” McAfee tweeted on Sunday afternoon. “Makes a play every drive seemingly.”

Jones isn’t to be confused with another NFL cornerback by the same name who also attended an SEC school. The second-year defensive back suited up for the Aggies at Kyle Field from 2020-22. He was drafted by the Colts with the 221st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Despite the loss, Jones had a strong individual performance versus Jacksonville. He racked up 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble.

Indianapolis face another AFC South rival on the road Sunday at noon against Tennessee.

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Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Pair of Aggies in the NFL record respective firsts during Week 4 amid losing efforts

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk put on strong performances this weekend.

Three former members of the Texas A&M football team put on strong performances this past weekend in the NFL.

Tampa Bay superstar wide receiver Mike Evans put on a show in front of former teammate Tom Brady to become the all-time leading scorer in Buccaneers franchise history. Evans accomplished the feat during a 33-16 victory versus Philadelphia.

Meanwhile across the league, a pair of Aggies alumni recorded respective firsts on Sunday afternoon. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper tallied his first fumble recovery for Green Bay. Seventh-year wideout Christian Kirk hauled in his first touchdown catch of the season for Jacksonville.

Kirk racked up 7 receptions on 12 targets for 61 yards and a score during a 24-20 loss at Houston. He has totaled 17 catches for 169 yards and 1 TD through four games. The Jaguars (0-4) host the Colts for an AFC South matchup on Sunday at noon.

Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Cooper has 13 tackles (8 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass defense thus far. The Packers (2-2) lost to the Vikings 31-29 at home in Week 4. Green Bay plays in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday at 3:25 p.m.

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Buccaneers WR and Aggies alumnus Mike Evans excels in front of former teammate Tom Brady

“There’s no way you can stay with Mike Evans,” Fox Sports color commentator Tom Brady said Sunday during the Buccaneers win over the Eagles.

Texas A&M alumnus Mike Evans is well on his way to being a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer and the Tampa Bay superstar wide receiver got back on track this weekend with an impressive performance in front of a prominent former teammate.

With seven-time Super Bowl champion and Fox Sports color commentator Tom Brady in attendance, Evans ended his touchdown drought at two games with a tuddy in the first quarter versus Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. The Buccaneers (3-1) held down home turf at Raymond James Stadium and earned a 33-16 win against the Eagles (2-2).

“There’s no way you can stay with Mike Evans,” Brady said on the broadcast.

Evans finished with 8 catches on 14 targets for 94 yards and 1 score. He bounced back from recording only 2 receptions on 3 targets for 17 yards in a 26-7 loss versus the Denver Broncos on Sept. 22.

Through four games, Evans is on his way to another 1,000 yard season with 18 catches for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tampa Bay has a bye in Week 5.

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Texas A&M junior Trey Zuhn III chosen as SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week

The last time that an Aggies duo won SEC awards in the same week was in Nov. 2022 with Dolphins RB De’Von Achane & junior QB Conner Weigman.

Texas A&M junior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III and redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed led the charge towards a 33-20 win on Saturday afternoon at Florida to begin the conference schedule.

The Aggies (2-1, 1-0 SEC) pair were respectively effective to each earn an accolade on Monday. Zuhn received SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Reed was selected as the SEC Freshman of the Week.

The last time that a Texas A&M duo won conference awards in the same week was on Nov. 28, 2022. Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and current junior QB Conner Weigman brought home the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman accolades, respectively.

Behind Zuhn and the burley boys up front, the Aggies rushed for 310 yards at 5.6 yards per clip. The team captain leads the SEC with only 6.0 tackles for loss allowed and second in sacks allowed with 2.0 thus far.

Next up for the Aggies is a matchup at Kyle Field with Bowling Green on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

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Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed selected as SEC Freshman of the Week

Texas A&M led Florida 20-0 at halftime and 33-7 with 5:29 left in the third period by throwing Marcel Reed into the swamp, where he thrived.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed excelled in his first career start, leading the Texas A&M football team to a 33-20 win at Florida to begin conference action this past weekend.

Reed played so well that he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday. He was joined by a teammate, junior Trey Zuhn III, who earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

The Aggies (2-1, 1-0 SEC) led 20-0 at halftime and 33-7 with 5:29 left in the third quarter by throwing Reed into the swamp, where he thrived. Reed completed 11-of-17 attempts for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 13 carries for 84 yards and 1 tuddy.

The last time that a Texas A&M duo won conference awards in the same week was on Nov. 28, 2022. Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and current junior QB Conner Weigman brought home the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman accolades, respectively.

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

While Weigman‘s career in College Station has been limited due to injuries, Reed’s brilliance may be creating a controversy under center in Aggieland.

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OT Jermaine Eluemunor is excited ‘finally having a coach and GM that truly believe in you’

“Finally having a coach and GM who truly believe in you, it gets you excited to want to play for them and want to give everything you have.”

Texas A&M alumnus Jermaine Eluemunor is beginning a new journey this weekend with the New York Giants after spending three seasons in Sin City playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The offensive tackle appeared on “Up & Adams” with host Kay Adams on Tuesday and explained why he’s excited about participating in training camp this year.

“With me just going through what I’ve been through in my career, now finally having a coach and GM who truly believe in you, it gets you excited to want to play for them and want to give everything you have for them,” Eluemunor said. “I’ve struggled with confidence throughout my career and even today, being the player I am and the one I want to become, I still struggle with that.

“It’s a constant fight to tell myself that ‘I am who I am, I’m confident and can go into the game to do everything I need to do in order to help this team win.'”

Eluemunor and the G-Men kickoff the 2024 campaign on Sunday at noon CT by hosting the Minnesota Vikings.

Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Buccaneers star and Aggies alumnus Mike Evans closing in on becoming 6th WR in elite group

For anyone who has watched Evans throughout his career with the Buccaneers, it’s clear that he is a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

For anyone who has watched Mike Evans throughout his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s clear that he is a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

The Texas A&M alumnus has surpassed at least 1,000 yards for 10 consecutive seasons. Now as Evans enters his 11th season in the NFL, he is already knocking on the door at entering a group of extremely elite wide outs.

With 1,320 yards receiving this year, Evans would become the sixth player in NFL history to rack up at least 13,000 yards receiving during his first 11 campaigns. The other five? Five Hall of Famers and someone who will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio within the next decade: Jerry Rice, Torrey Holt, Marvin Harrison Sr., Randy Moss and Julio Jones.

Considering that Evans has recorded over 1,320 yards receiving twice in his career and came very close on several occasions, the goal is more than in reach. For those who may say he’s “slowing down,” last season’s 1,255 yards receiving says otherwise.

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Former Texas A&M defensive end DeMarvin Leal shifted to outside linebacker by Steelers

“He’s always been an athletic guy. He’s more attentive in the meetings… You can see the productivity on the field is starting to show up.”

During Mike Elko‘s first stint in College Station as the Texas A&M defensive coordinator, 10 of his players were drafted to the NFL.

One of those standout stars was defensive end DeMarvin Leal, who was selected in the third round of the 2022 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ahead of this upcoming season, Leal has been shifted to outside linebacker.

“He’s always been an athletic guy. He’s more attentive in the meetings,” Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “You see him out here. He’s learned both of them — defensive end position and outside linebacker positions. You can see the productivity on the field is starting to show up.”

Leal has appeared in 23 games with six starts over two years. The San Antonio native has recorded 29 tackles, 4 pass breakups and 1 sack.

“It’s now for me,” Leal said. “I wouldn’t say now or never for the season, but it’s now for me.”

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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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