Tag: amari daniels

Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels, S Jacoby Mathews announce their return for the 2024 season

Texas A&M running back Amari Daniels and safety Jacoby Mathews will reportedly both return for the 2024 season.

In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, nothing is set in stone regarding every college football roster going into a new season, and for Texas A&M, the portal has taken but also given tenfold over the past two months.

However, keeping important pieces on the roster together is a revolving door as several veterans have announced their return for the 2024 seasons through A&M’s official NIL sponsor, Texas Aggies United, which now includes incoming senior running back Amari Daniels and incoming junior safety Jacoby Mathews.

While the running back room looks more than set with the return of Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, Daniels provides a bruising running style and enough experience to help new head coach Mike Elko’s transition in Year 1 at the helm. Last season, Daniels recorded 532 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Regarding Jacoby Mathews’ significant return in the defensive backfield, the safety position will be as deep as ever with the combined additions through the portal. After an impressive sophomore campaign, Mathews’s loyalty to the program has not gone unnoticed, as he will compete for the starting free safety spots after the departure of Jardin Gilbert, who transferred to LSU. On the year, Mathews netted 42 tackles (32 solo tackles), four pass deflections and an interception on the year.

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Texas A&M Football 2023 Midseason Grades: Running Backs

With A&M in their bye week, we’re taking a pulse check on how each positional group has fared so far, including the RBs.

The Aggies Wire team is doing the same with Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2), looking to take a breather and reassess heading into the bye week. Namely, there’s no better time to take a pulse check on how the Aggies have fared through the first half of the season, with a deep dive on each positional group.

Next up, we’re looking at the Aggies in the backfield, headlined by Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, and Rueben Owens.

Highlights

Texas A&M’s ground game is good for 83rd in the country, as the Maroon and White boast an average of 131.9 rushing yards per game. While that’s a tad below their 144.7 rushing yards per game average from last year (70th), there had to be an expected drop-off when elite speedster De’Von Achane declared for the NFL Draft.

Leading the way is Le’Veon Moss, whose 82.2 run grade at Pro Football Focus is the best among all Aggie runners this season. Amari Daniels and Rueben Owens have been solid complimentary pieces, but it’s no secret that Moss’ versatility has made him A&M’s true blue RB1.

Areas of improvement

While Moss boasts a strong running grade per PFF, Daniels’ 66.0 grade has been solid, at best. Meanwhile, Owens’ 62.1 grade is likely indicative of having a mere 3.5 yards per carry on the season, coupled with one fumble recorded. Truth be told, Owens’ struggles are to be expected from a true freshman, and he’ll surely get more efficient in the ground game as he continues to develop.

From a larger point of view, A&M’s run game has somewhat cooled off over the last few weeks, which is troublesome as the Aggies’ pass game has been stuck in a rut. While the Maroon and White average over 130 yards per game on the season, that’s dwindled to just 108.3 yards per game in the last three contests and just 54.0 yards in their loss to Tennessee. Among the larger SEC, their ground game ranks 11th out of 14 total teams.

Among the notable adjustments needed for this second half of the season is a kickstart to the ground game once again.

Final grade: C+

The Aggies ground game has had its moments over the course of the season, but it’s clear that there are areas to improve on as the second half of the schedule kicks into full gear.

The Maroon and White enter a pivotal stretch once they welcome South Carolina to Kyle Field in Week 9, and it will be interesting to see how Bobby Petrino leverages the run game as a possible means of lighting a spark in what has been a sluggish offense over the last few games.

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Texas A&M’s running back room has exhibited tremendous depth, led by sophomore Le’Veon Moss

Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss has quickly solidified his standing as the Aggies starting running back for the rest of the 2023 season.

Texas A&M sophomore running back Le’Veon Moss has made the most of his increased snaps over the past weeks. Still, after leading the Aggies with 17 carries for 107 yards in Saturday’s 34-22 win over Arkansas, things have become clearer regarding the back rotation ahead of next week’s pivotal matchup vs. the 10th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Moss, a Louisiana native and high-ranking member of the vaunted 2022 recruiting class, showed flashes in limited play late last season, possessing a power running style, but has quickly become a finesse footwork specialist with advanced vision, already making him the most complete back on the Aggies roster.

After notably missing Texas A&M’s Week 2 matchup vs. Miami, Moss has been on a running tear ever since, leading the Aggies in rushing with 276 yards with two touchdowns, while junior back Amari Daniels (270 yards, two touchdowns) and freshman standout Rueben Owens (110 yards, one touchdown) finishes out one of the more complete running back stables in the country.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher and first-year OC Bobby Petrino deserve credit for keeping each back fresh in SEC play and utilizing each player’s unique skill set. Moss’s 17 carries on Saturday were simply a product of “feeding the hot hand,” as Daniels has ten carries of his own. However, just looking at Moss’s yards per rush average over the last two games, including 6.5 in the win against Auburn and 6.3 against the Razorbacks, has now cemented his standing as the starting running back from now on, starting with a big game against the Crimson Tide next week.

Texas A&M will host No.10 Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Kyle Field (TV: CBS).

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.

Five reasons why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in Week 5

The Aggies will be fine at QB, while their defense is turning a corner and the perfect time. Here’s why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in Week 5.

A mere 24 hours separate Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) from their next challenge in Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC). In the next chapter of the Southwest Classic, the rivalry matchup between these two programs will once again play out against the backdrop of AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

It’s been a wild week for the Maroon and White, to say the least. After initial optimism surrounding Conner Weigman, it was revealed the sophomore’s season would come to an end after suffering a foot injury in last week’s win against Auburn.

That only means the Max Johnson era has officially begun in Aggieland, and as we witnessed last week, the veteran southpaw is more than up to the challenge. That being said, the performance at quarterback won’t be the only key to victory for the Aggies.

A dominant performance from A&M’s defense last week was exactly what the doctor ordered as the Aggies continue their SEC schedule gauntlet. That’s in addition to the versatility of A&M’s running back room, which will test what has so far been a solid Arkansas run defense.

This year’s Southwest Classic may come to another thrilling finish, but when it’s all said and done, the Aggies have the pieces to fend off the Hogs and move to 2-0 in SEC play. These are five reasons why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in the next chapter of the Southwest Classic.

Five players to watch in Texas A&M’s Week 5 matchup vs. Arkansas

Will Max Johnson shine? Is the Aggie D ready for K.J Jefferson? here are five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Arkansas.

Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) is headed back to Arlington, Texas, to face the visiting Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 SEC) at 11:00 a.m. CT. in the annual Southwest Classic as the Max Johnson era has begun in Aggieland after starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s season-ending injury.

Arkansas’s high-flying offense has been impressive behind the arm of senior quarterback K.J Jefferson but already incurred two losses early in the year due to a susceptible secondary, allowing 8.4 yards per pass attempt this season.

For Texas A&M, last week’s 27-10 win over Auburn may have been slightly overshadowed by Weigman’s injury news this week. Still, after Max Johnson’s second-half heroic paired with the Aggies’ resurgent defense, accounting for seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss (both season highs), momentum may be on Texas A&M’s side for the first time this season.

However, this rivalry is one of the most difficult to predict every year, and even though the Aggies have dominated the series since entering the SEC in 2012, no betting line can accurately predict just how things will shake out. This week, we have provided several storylines while going behind the scenes with Razorbacks Wire to get the full scoop on what to expect on Saturday afternoon.

Focusing on the players that need to make this weekend, here are the five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Arkansas.

Texas A&M Football 2023 Position Preview: Running backs; an excess of four and five-star talent

Texas A&M has some big shoes to fill in the backfield, but the Aggies are well situated with two experienced running backs and a true freshman with star upside.

Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season in just under two months, and while the offseason is nearing its conclusion sooner than later, it’s time to preview what Jimbo Fisher and his staff will be working with from a roster perspective.

The Aggies featured one of the college football’s fastest running backs last season. Still, his departure opens up a handful of opportunities for the returning tailbacks and one incoming freshman whose upside is sky-high.

Returning production:  Junior Amari Daniels returns after appearing in six games for the Aggies last season, totaling 36 carries for 200 yards with an average of 5.6 yards per attempt. Across two seasons with the Maroon and White, Daniels has averaged 5.7 yards per carry as he prepares to take on an elevated role within the offense.

Sophomore Le’Veon Moss gives the running back room an extra dose of experience after appearing in seven games for Texas A&M last year. He finished with 27 carries for 114 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

Though his opportunities were limited, Earnest Crownover rounds out a trio of returning tailbacks in what will be his fourth season in Aggieland. Throughout his collegiate career, Crownover has logged ten carries for 35 yards to go alongside one reception for 25 yards.

Departures:  The Aggies will have significant shoes to fill after De’Von Achane declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, eventually being selected in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. Achane tallied 196 carries for 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns, with an average of 5.6 yards per carry. He also added 36 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Achane finished as the SEC’s third-highest rushing leader in 2022, behind only Ole Miss’ Quinshon Judkins (1,567 yards) and Arkansas‘ Raheim Sanders (1,443 yards).

Final Observation:  Losing an elite talent like Achane stings, but the Aggies should be well situated in their transition with a running back room filled with four and five-star talent. Daniels was a four-star prospect out of Miami Central in the 2021 cycle, while Moss was a four-star in the Aggies’ vaunted 2022 recruiting class.

That experience tandem should only benefit Texas A&M’s true freshman in, Rueben Owens, who profiles as a five-star prospect out of El Campo. During his senior season, Owens rushed for 1,785 yards and 25 touchdowns and was ranked as 247Sports’ top overall running back in the country. He’s progressed significantly through spring football that he should be in the rotation as a true freshman, with the potential to be one of the Aggies’ top two backs by season’s end.

New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is expected to improve the offense and aid Jimbo Fisher in being a more effective game manager, and a versatile running back room with experience and tremendous upside should play a vital role in that task.

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Ranking the 15 best players on Texas A&M’s 2023 football roster

As Texas A&M prepares for a critical 2023 college football season, here are the 15 best players on the roster based on both production and future potential.

Texas A&M is headed toward a crucial 2023 football season in the coming months, which means they’ll be relying on a handful of key impactful players on both sides of the ball.

Much conversation has been made about the Aggies’ underwhelming 5-7 2022 campaign (2-6 SEC), but what is often overlooked is the contributions made by more than a handful of true freshmen. For being thrust into the fire on a moment’s notice, Texas A&M flashed its potential on offense and by all means stood its ground on defense, which figures to be a promising unit this coming season.

As Jimbo Fisher has noted recently, the trials of last season will serve as a lesson learned and fuel for the future, which means a number of players could be set for impactful, and even breakout seasons.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some names Texas A&M will be counting on this fall.

Amari Daniels, LeVeon Moss and Reuben Owens shine during the Maroon and White game

In the Aggies Maroon and White game on Saturday, a three-man running back rotation may be in the works ahead of the 2023 season

Team White may have fended off Team Maroon in a 33-19 win during Texas A&M‘s 2023 spring game, but let’s not get lost in the quarterback narrative without giving the running back group its flowers.

Junior running back Amari Daniels led the way with 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries, while sophomore LeVeon Moss (4 carries, 26 yards) and freshman five-star Reuben Owens (9 carries, 48 yards) made his exciting debut to the public. Even converted fullback Earnest Crownover scored one of two rushing touchdowns on the day on 8 carries for 28 yards, so all in all, it was a successful outing in the backfield.

The method in which head coach Jimbo Fisher will deploy this group is highly intriguing, noting that Daniels, Moss, and Owens all possess skill sets that warrant snaps next season. Past productivity is clearly lacking from a statistical standpoint, mainly due to the program’s dependence on Devon Achane during his three-year career.

While Reuben Owens has received a majority of the offseason praise due to his notable athleticism and ability in the passing game, it was his vision and ability to read blocks at an advanced level that currently puts him as the front running to challenge for the RB 1 spot.

Amari Daniels’s “all-purpose back” label was put on full display in the latter half of the 2022 season after Achane dealt with a slew of injuries, rushing for 189 yards in three straight games, ending the season with a 5.6-yard-per-rush average.

LeVeon Moss ended his freshman season with 27 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown, displaying a tough running style paired with quick burst and acceleration, and is prone to gain a ton of yards after contact, fitting the SEC mold at the running back position.

All three deserve snaps next season, and although the running back by committee approach scares off certain sects of the fanbase, in order to truly open up the field in Bobby Petrino’s offensive approach, utilizing every available athlete in specific in-game situations is the key to wearing down defenses at a consistent rate.

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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Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels and LB Taurean York honored as Academic Aggies

Running back Amari Daniels and linebacker Taurean York were honored for their work in the classroom this week as Academic Aggies.

Texas A&M may be in the midst of spring football and months away from the 2023 season, but it’s never a bad time to honor these players’ achievements off the field.

Running back Amari Daniels and linebacker Taurean York were spotlighted as Academic Aggies this week. The honor shines a light on the significance of committing to excellence not just on the field, but also in the classroom.

Daniels is a third-year running back for the Maroon and White, who is looking to contend for the starting backfield job in 2023. The junior has logged 56 carries for 319 yards and one rushing touchdown in two seasons at College Station.

York is a three-star freshman linebacker out of Temple that will look to carve out a key role as the Aggies’ defense hopes to take a leap in 2023. He’s also a three-time Texas District 12-6A Defensive MVP that also ran track in High School, sporting a 24.52 200 as a sophomore and a 12.02 100 as a freshman.

Check out the announcement below:

While it’s easy to get caught up on what happens on the field, it’s also key to remember there is more to what happens between the lines. It’s only right to applaud these players’ achievements in the classroom with as much enthusiasm as you would on the sideline.

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Running back position breakdown

The Aggies will use spring ball to determine the Week 1 starter in the backfield. We break down how the current roster is shaping up at RB.

Spring football for Texas A&M is well underway, which means it’s every fan’s obligation to parse through the depth chart ahead of what will be an important 2023 season. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered by breaking down each positional battle, with this deep-dive focusing on the talent in the backfield.

Who will be the starting running back for the Maroon and White come Week 1 should be top of mind for A&M’s coaching staff, and it’s surely a hot topic among the Aggies faithful. With junior Devon Achane departing College Station after declaring for the NFL Draft, it’s up to Jimbo Fisher, Bobby Petrino, and staff to replace the production of 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

With that goal being vital, let’s take a look at how the current running back position shapes up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

  • Junior Amari Daniels: 36 carries, 200 yards, 5.6 yards per attempt
  • Sophomore Le’Veon Moss: 27 carries, 114 yards, 4.2 yards per attempt, 1 rushing touchdown

Departures

  • Junior Devon Achane (declared for the 2023 NFL Draft)

Incoming additions

  • Freshman Rueben Owens II (5-star recruit, Class of 2023)

Key thoughts and predictions:

Replacing Achane’s production is not going to be an easy feat, as he proved to be not only vital to the Aggies’ offense but was arguably one of the best running backs in the SEC. Fisher and Petrino could very well lean on a committee approach in the backfield, but deciding on a starter may come down to whether it’s right to stick with experience or go with the most overall talented back.

If we’re assessing solely on talent then the edge goes to incoming freshman Owens. He is a five-star recruit for a reason, and we’ve seen true freshmen are more than capable of playing important snaps for the Aggies. In a very important 2023 season, however, does Fisher want to take the risk of leaning too much on inexperience?

For that reason, I’d be more comfortable rolling with Daniels as the starter. I like what Moss brings to the table, and the overall running back room should only get a competitive boost with Owens, but Daniels has experience in his back pocket and is a strong, compact runner.

My belief is that Daniels is the Week 1 starter with Moss splitting snaps here and there. Once Owens gets his footing, his talent could prove too good to ignore and he may wind up being the RB1 come season’s end.

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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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