Tag: Aggies in the NFL

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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WR Josh Reynolds leaves fellow Aggies alumnus Dan Campbell for multi-year deal in AFC

Following 2-plus years with Detroit, Aggies alumnus Josh Reynolds is departing Dan Campbell’s squad for a multi-year deal with an AFC team.

Following two and a half seasons with the Detroit Lions, Texas A&M alumnus Josh Reynolds is departing fellow former Aggie Dan Campbell‘s squad for a multi-year deal with an AFC team.

According to a report from ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, Reynolds has signed a two-year deal worth up to $14 million with the Denver Broncos.

“It’s awesome, man. My uncles are diehard Broncos fan. Even just saying that y’all were in the mix of things, they were ecstatic. For me to come out here, I hope to change stuff up,” Reynolds told Denver team reporter and producer Sydney Jones. “I’ve always been an admirer of coach Payton. Seeing him with the Saints for so long, I just love his creativeness, I know he’s going to put great people around the facility and I’m just looking forward to working with him. I’m hyped and ready for it.

“I’m on the smoother side but you got a playmaker for sure. Hopefully a guy to help win.”

Reynolds finished the 2023 regular season with 40 receptions for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns.

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Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell will return as Detroit Lions head coach with contract extension

After leading the Lions to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years, alumnus Dan Campbell has earned a contract extension.

After leading the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years, Texas A&M alumnus Dan Campbell has earned a contract extension.

Campbell had an extra year added to his original deal on Thursday, keeping him in the Motor City through the 2027 season. The Lions also gave extensions to general manager Brad Holmes and Chris Spielman, the special assistant to the president/CEO & chairperson.

“We are thrilled to have Brad and Dan under contract for the next four seasons,” stated principal owner and chair Sheila Hamp. “They have been the driving force behind the rebuild of our football team and the success that we have enjoyed. The continuity they provide for our football program will continue to be the key to our future success on the field.”

Campbell has gone from biting kneecaps to becoming one of the best leaders in the NFL within three seasons

Just over three years ago on Jan. 20, 2021, Campbell was hired to lead the league’s perennial loser in Detroit. The Lions regressed in his first season, going from 5-11 in 2020 to 3-13-1.

Detroit began the 2022 season 1-6 and Campbell found himself on the hot seat. Then the Lions proceeded to win 8 of their last 10 games, including in the season finale at Green Bay to keep their bitter rivals out of the postseason, finishing 9-8 overall.

“I could not be more proud of the work that Brad, Dan and Chris have done for our organization,” stated president and CEO Rod Wood. “They have selflessly worked together to build a winning culture within the Lions. I am excited to continue working with them to create the sustained success that we envision for the team, our fans and the city of Detroit.”

Campbell rode that wave of momentum into this season, leading the Lions to a 12-5 record and the franchise’s first NFC North division title. Detroit hadn’t won their division in 30 years, dating back to an NFC Central championship in 1993.

With a 24-23 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round on Jan. 14, the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years. Detroit followed that up with a 31-23 win versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to earn its first NFC Championship game berth since the 1991 season.

Campbell and the Lions led 24-7 versus the San Francisco 49ers but ultimately lost the penultimate title contest 34-31. However, if anyone can lead Detroit to its first NFL title since 1957, it’s certainly the man with an appetite for kneecaps and he’ll be around for at least four more seasons.

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Aggies alumnus and Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has fulfilled his destiny by winning his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this week.

The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has fulfilled his destiny by winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this week.

Texas A&M alumnus and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett received the accolade for the first time on Wednesday night at the NFL Honors ceremony.

“Howdy!

“First of all, I wanna say all glory to the most high. Without Him, I would not be here in front of y’all today, thank you,” Garrett said. “I want to thank my lovely parents who are in attendance today. Without y’all love, support and being perfect examples for me, this wouldn’t be possible. I want to thank my brother, my sister, who have also been great examples for me.

“I want to thank the Browns organization for y’all believing in me. Jimmy and Dee Haslam, Andrew Barry, Kevin Stefanski, (and Jim) Schwartz, we had a helluva brotherhood that helped support me and get me here as well.

“I have a great team that has been around me for the last two years to help support me in my wellness. Shay, Coral, Nicole, my high school coach who I was able to bring here to be in attendance, coach Gonzo, thank you, it’s been a blessing.

“To the city of Cleveland, this one is for you! We’re going to bring something bigger home next time. Let’s go!”

Garrett was 1-of-4 NFL award winners from the Cleveland organization along with head coach Kevin Stefanski (Coach of the Year), defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz (Assistant Coach of the Year) and quarterback Joe Flacco (Comeback Player of the Year).

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Aggies alumni duo of De’Von Achane and Antonio Johnson headline NFL All-Rookie Team

Last month, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks selected his NFL All-Rookie Team and two former Aggies and current Florida residents made the list.

Last month, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks selected his All-Rookie Team and two former Texas A&M football players made the list.

Both alumni are current Florida men, with one residing up in the north while the other is deep down south. Those two players are Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson.

Achane was picked in the third round at No. 84 overall.

“Despite playing behind a prolific point scorer (Raheem Mostert, who led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns), Achane made his mark as a home run hitter in the lineup,” Brooks wrote. “The rookie averaged almost eight yards per carry (7.8) and scored 11 total touchdowns as a gadget/reverse playmaker with speed to burn.”

Johnson was a fifth-round pick at No. 160 overall.

“Like Brian Branch, Johnson spent a lot of time defending the slot, but I had to squeeze him onto this roster. Sue me,” Brooks wrote. “After taking over as the nickel defender in Jacksonville’s sub-packages, Johnson flashed the instincts, awareness and ball skills that had some scouts smitten with his potential during the pre-draft process. With a pair of interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble in a part-time role, the lengthy defensive back could flourish with more opportunities in 2024.”

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

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Aggies in the NFL: Every Aggie in the 2023 Playoffs: Wild Card Round

Ahead of the NFL Playoffs Wild Card round this weekend, nearly 20 Aggies will participate in the festivities.

The 2023 NFL Regular season has ended, and the best time of the year starts this weekend, as the Playoffs, specifically the Wild Card round, presents an exciting slate of big-time matchups, which happens to include nearly 20 Aggies among 11 teams.

Three of said Aggies have already earned All-Pro pros honors, including Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (1st Team), Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (2nd Team), and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (2nd Team).

Surprisingly, Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk will miss the playoffs after falling to Tennessee last weekend, making his first appearance last season with a thrilling comeback victory over the Las Angeles Rams.

Under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M’s lack of NFL development has been notable, as nearly every former head coach, including Kevin Sumlin and Mike Sherman, is responsible for nearly every Aggie in the NFL.

Ahead of the fun, every former Texas A&M football player listed will appear in the Wild Card round on Saturday and Sunday.

Aggies in the NFL: Where to watch in Week 18 of the NFL Season

See where all your favorite Aggies are playing during the final Sunday of the 2023 NFL regular season.

The final week of the 2023 NFL regular season is upon us, starting on Saturday afternoon as the Top-seeded Baltimore Ravens travel to take on the desperate Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Houston Texans face the Indianapolis Colts on the road with the AFC South Title on the line.

As we see every year at this time, several season-finale matchups will determine playoff seeding and clinching opportunities, providing plenty of chaos during the start of the winter months.

Every week, we at Aggies Wire recognize all the Aggies who are still active and making an impact in the NFL. Outside of wide receiver Mike Evans and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, Garrett, who continues to pad his Hall of Fame resume year after year, is by far having his best season yet, already recording 14 sacks, two shy of his single-season record 16 sacks during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

Looking ahead, playoff spots are up for grabs, and as of right now, nearly a dozen Aggies will be represented in the playoffs starting this month.

Here are the matchups, game times, and broadcasting information for several Aggies playing in the NFL on the final Sunday of the regular season.

Former Texas A&M DL Justin Madubuike has continued to play at a Pro Bowl level for the Baltimore Ravens

Current Baltimore star defensive lineman Justin Madubuike has continued to dominate in the trenches during his breakout season.

Former Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike has been tearing it up during the 2023 NFL Season, already becoming the first Raven since 2017 to record double-digit sack totals with 13 through 16 games, tied for eighth in the league.

Already accumulating 21.5 sacks during his first four seasons, Madubuike is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season. While the Ravens attempted to sign the ascending defender last summer, Madubuike, as he did throughout his collegiate career at Texas A&M, bet on himself, leading to the Pro Bowl performance we’ve witnessed throughout the year.

Playing at the left defensive end in defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s 3-4 base system, he has wreaked havoc on opposing guards, consistently winning on bull rushes while showing impressive speed to track down the quarterback outside the pocket. Coming out of Texas A&M, from 2017-2019,  Madubuike recorded 105 tackles and 11 sacks, including back-to-back 5.5 sacks total in 2018-2019, and 24.5 tackles for loss.

With the Ravens sitting at 13-3 and earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Madubuike could finish Top 10 in sacks with a Super Bowl ring heading into free agency with a load of personal momentum.

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Aggies in the NFL: Where to watch in Week 17 of the NFL Season

See where all your favorite Aggies are playing during the 17th Sunday and Monday of the 2023 NFL regular season.

Week 17 of the 2023 NFL Season wasn’t very exciting unless you’re a Cleveland Browns fan. Defeating the visiting New York Jets 37-20, the veteran quarterback and potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns against his former team, while former Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, recorded, three tackles, a sack, and four QB hits including double-digit pressures.

Every week, we at Aggies Wire recognize all the Aggies who are still active and making an impact in the NFL. Outside of wide receiver Mike Evans and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, Garrett, who continues to pad his Hall of Fame resume year after year, is by far having his best season yet, already recording 14 sacks, two shy of his single-season record 16 sacks during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

Looking ahead, playoff spots are up for grabs, and as of right now, nearly a dozen Aggies will be represented in the international playoffs starting next month.

Here are the matchups, game times, and broadcasting information for several Aggies playing in the NFL this Sunday and Monday.