Tag: Bryce Foster

Five players to watch in Texas A&M’s Week 7 matchup vs. Tennessee

Will Jimbo Fisher end his SEC road woes? can the Aggies O-line hold up? Here are five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Tennessee.

Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) will hit the road to face the Tennessee Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, as head coach Jimbo Fisher is in for one of the roughest environments the SEC has to offer.

Coming off of a bye week, Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel has yet to find an offensive identity behind the big arm of quarterback Joe Milton, but this unit can score more than 30 plus points at any given week. At the same time, Texas A&M’s Week 6 loss to Alabama created more questions than answers, specifically concerning the Aggies’ secondary and offensive line.

However, Texas A&M’s dominant pass rush and stellar linebacker play have been a consistent bright spot despite the offense’s failure to sustain drives as of late, leaving signal caller Max Johnson’s SEC experience, especially on the road, crucial to the Aggies’ future success.

This week, we have provided several storylines to help provide 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. Tennessee.

Five players to watch in Texas A&M’s Week 4 home matchup vs. Auburn

Will the Aggies’ pass rush wake up? is Auburn a legit threat on offense? Here are five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Auburn.

Texas A&M (2-1) will host the surging Auburn Tigers (3-0) on Saturday afternoon, as kick-off is set for 11:00 a.m. CT, inside what should be packed Kyle Field as the SEC schedule starts off with a bang.

Featuring a first-year head coach in Hugh Freeze, the Tigers have yet to find an identity on offense. Still, their undefeated record speaks for itself behind a competent secondary, a group poised to give Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman fits early in the game before he eventually settles into a rhythm.

Coming off of a 47-3 win against UL Monroe, Jimbo Fisher’s resilient team is, of course, led by Weigman’s solid start under center, featuring one of the best-receiving cores in the country. Still, the Aggies’ defense remains a weekly question mark outside of the, so far, solid rushing defense.

Within last Saturday’s victory, several starters, including wide receivers Evan Stewart and Noah Thomas and center Bryce Foster, surprisingly missed the game due to undisclosed injuries, and even though their absence failed to affect last weekend’s outcome, they will be greatly depended on in SEC play. While all three, also including freshman tackle Chase Bisontis, who went down with an injury mid-game, are expected to return on Saturday, it will take a complete team effort to leave the weekend with a W.

Combined with multiple pre-game storylines, here are five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 4 SEC clash with Auburn.

Texas A&M’s offensive line play will likely determine the final outcome vs. Miami

After a solid showing in the Aggies 52-10 win over New Mexico, Texas A&M’s experienced O-line will need to win, and win consistently in the trenches vs. Miami.

Texas A&M (1-0) and Miami (1-0) entered the 2023 season with clean slates after matching each other record-wise with dismal 5-7 finishes in 2022, both experiencing more lows than highs, with their worst finishes in over a decade.

After going head-to-head last season, the Aggies narrowly defeated Miami 17-9 after previously losing to Appalachian State. While many of us saw this as a potential turnaround going forward, the parity of college football took us all for a loop for the preceding nine weeks.

Turn the page to the first weekend of September, as Texas A&M’s took care of New Mexico 52-10 behind starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s five touchdowns, while Miami’s balanced offense and impressive ground game aided the Hurricanes to their 38-3 drubbing of the visiting Miami (OH) Warhawks on Friday night.

Off to solid and convincing starts, the Aggies will now travel to South Beach, which, by most of the Miami fanbase, has been dubbed as a “revenge game,” even though the Hurricanes failed to reach the endzone in their first meeting. Even though Texas A&M holds several advantages on paper, specifically from a talent perspective, I believe that the game will be determined in the trenches between the Aggies’ offensive line vs. Miami’s defensive line.

In years past, Texas A&M’s O-line under Fisher’s reign has benefitted in size but lacked the athleticism and versatility needed to win in the SEC consistently. Still, after several key recruiting gains paired with experienced veterans, things are finally looking up in 2023. Against New Mexico, the Aggies looked much improved in pass protection, only allowing two sacks on the night. While their run blocking is still a work in progress, there’s clear potential.

As Aggies Wire contributor Pete Hernandez recently pointed out, Hurricanes defensive lineman Leonard Taylor, outside of star safety Kam Kinchens, is by far the most dominant defender the program has to offer, recording 24 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT last season.

While Texas A&M’s offensive line seems to emulate a revolving door after what the starting unit looked like on Saturday, this is simply a byproduct of the immense depth O-line coach Steve Addazio has at his disposal. Of course, I’m referencing offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II, who was still recovering from a knee issue before surprisingly suiting up against New Mexico. Instead of lining up at his original right tackle spot, he would shift over as the second-string left tackle behind starter Trey Zuhn. In contrast, vaunted freshman tackle Chase Bisontis made his impressive debut in his place. Now that’s quality depth.

In the interior, the return of center Bryce Foster and right guard Layden Robinson, coupled with the sophomore duo of Kam Dewberry and Mark Nabou at left guard, will be counted on against the likes of Leonard Taylor, who Miaim defensive coordinator Lance Guidry will likely move around throughout the matchup.

This is the first real test for the Maroon Goons, and with everything I’ve just described, there’s simply no excuse for this unit not to find success against a stout opponent like Miami, no matter where the game is played.

Texas A&M will face the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Sept. 9, which will air on ABC at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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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‘It feels different in the locker room… We are ready for Miami.’ Sam Mathews and four other players preview Texas A&M’s week 2 road test vs. Miami

Here is everything Sam Mathews, Evan Stewart, Josh DeBerry, Bryce Foster, and Shemar Stewart said ahead of the Aggies road test vs. Miami

Texas A&M kicked off their 2023 college football season in exhilarating fashion against New Mexico on Saturday night, downing the visiting Lobo’s 52-10 behind starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s incredibly efficient performance, throwing for 236 yards for 18/23 (78% completion). Five touchdowns without an interception, becoming the first player in Aggie history with five touchdowns in a season opener.

Standing out more than any player on the field, sophomore wide receiver Noah Thomas is on his way to a breakout season, finishing the night with six receptions for 74 yards and three touchdowns. In comparison, star receiver Evan Stewart led the offense with eight receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns on the night, as new OC Bobby Petrino’s play-calling has been welcomed with open arms as the Aggie’s up-tempo offense with multiple formation looks was truly a sight for sore eyes. On Saturday night, the studs were indeed fed.

Defensively, the Aggies limited the Lobos to 91 yards on the ground and 222 total yards. At the same time, Boston College transfer cornerback Josh DeBerry led the team with ten tackles, seven solo tackles, one sack, and an interception on the night.

On Monday, Linebacker, special teamer, and 12th-man Sam Mathews, alongside cornerback Josh DeBerry, wide receiver Evan Stewart, center Bryce Foster, and defensive end Shemar Stewart, spoke to the media to reflect on the Aggies 52-10 win over New Mexico, while shifting focus to their crucial week two road test vs. Miami on Saturday afternoon.

Here is everything all five players had to say before taking on the Hurricanes on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

‘It feels different in the locker room… We are ready for Miami.’ Sam Mathews and four other players preview Texas A&M’s week 2 road test vs. Miami

Here is everything Sam Mathews, Evan Stewart, Josh DeBerry, Bryce Foster, and Shemar Stewart said ahead of the Aggies road test vs. Miami

Texas A&M kicked off their 2023 college football season in exhilarating fashion against New Mexico on Saturday night, downing the visiting Lobo’s 52-10 behind starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s incredibly efficient performance, throwing for 236 yards for 18/23 (78% completion). Five touchdowns without an interception, becoming the first player in Aggie history with five touchdowns in a season opener.

Standing out more than any player on the field, sophomore wide receiver Noah Thomas is on his way to a breakout season, finishing the night with six receptions for 74 yards and three touchdowns. In comparison, star receiver Evan Stewart led the offense with eight receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns on the night, as new OC Bobby Petrino’s play-calling has been welcomed with open arms as the Aggie’s up-tempo offense with multiple formation looks was truly a sight for sore eyes. On Saturday night, the studs were indeed fed.

Defensively, the Aggies limited the Lobos to 91 yards on the ground and 222 total yards. At the same time, Boston College transfer cornerback Josh DeBerry led the team with ten tackles, seven solo tackles, one sack, and an interception on the night.

On Monday, Linebacker, special teamer, and 12th-man Sam Mathews, alongside cornerback Josh DeBerry, wide receiver Evan Stewart, center Bryce Foster, and defensive end Shemar Stewart, spoke to the media to reflect on the Aggies 52-10 win over New Mexico, while shifting focus to their crucial week two road test vs. Miami on Saturday afternoon.

Here is everything all five players had to say before taking on the Hurricanes on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

Final injury report ahead to Texas A&M vs. New Mexico

Here is the final injury report ahead of Texas A&M’s 2023 season opener vs. New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 2

Texas A&M (0-0) is set to kick off their 2023 football season against the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Sept. 2, inside what should be a packed and raucous Kyle Field.

On Monday, head coach Jimbo Fisher took the podium to answer many questions regarding the team’s preparation before the weekend’s festivities while providing a brief update on the Aggies injury front post-fall camp.

During fall camp, sophomore tight end Donovan Green suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entirety of the 2023 season. Still, he has already undergone a successful surgery and is on track to be ready for the 2024 season. Still, outside of Green’s terrible misfortune, Texas A&M’s roster is in the best shape it’s been at this time of the season for the first time in several years.

As I stated on Monday, we will not know the official status of starting center Bryce Foster until an hour or two before game time, as the Aggies game day depth chart will likely not be released until then, a normality during Fisher’s tenure.

Staying in a similar lane, starting right tackle Reuben Fatheree II will likely miss the opener as he works his way back from a minor injury suffered in the spring, as standout freshman offensive lineman Chase Bisontis is slated to start in his place, while left tackle Trey Zuhn is as healthy as he’s ever been in his Aggie career heading into the opener.

For Head Coach Danny Gonzalez’s Lobo squad, redshirt sophomore tight end Trace Bruckler is back from his injury-riddled 2022 season and is poised for a productive year.

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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Initial injury report ahead of Texas A&M vs. New Mexico

Here is the initial injury ahead of Texas A&M’s 2023 season opener vs. New Mexico on Saturday, September 2

Texas A&M (0-0) is set to kick off their 2023 football season against the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Sept. 2, inside what should be a packed and raucous Kyle Field.

On Monday, head coach Jimbo Fisher took the podium to answer a plethora of questions regarding the team’s preparation before the weekend’s festivities while providing a brief update on the Aggies injury front post-fall camp. As many of you already know, sophomore tight end Donovan Green suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entirety of the 2023 season. Still, outside of Green’s terrible misfortune, Texas A&M’s roster is in the best shape it’s been at this time of the season for the first time in several years.

However, as the week winds down, the offensive line, specifically starting center Bryce Foster’s game status, is something to look out for after Fisher’s recent update.

“He was practicing and playing last week. We’ll see how he does and practices this week. He’ll give us a lot of different options if he’s ready to go.”

Foster’s dual-athlete status as a standout Track and Field star kept him out of spring football season before returning for fall camp. While no specific injury currently hampers him, Fisher’s precautious nature is not surprising due to Foster’s vital importance within the Aggies’ offense.

Keeping with the O-line, Fisher also announced that left tackle Trey Zuhn, who battled the injury bug throughout the 2022 season, is back to full health and is set to return to his blindside blocking duties, while standout freshman tackle Chase Bisontis will also see action, most likely at right tackle due to starting RT Reuben Fatheree’s mild knee injury suffered this spring, as he’ll attempt to work his way back into the lineup, with a probable return date coming on the road against Miami on Sept. 9.

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’s Offensive line depth resembling shades of 2020’s elite unit

Texas A&M’s 2023 O-line returns all five starters from last season, including some highly versatile depth at all five positions.

Earlier this week, Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher and Aggies starting left tackle Trey Zuhn took a multitude of questions from the local media before their eleventh practice of fall camp, and from this writer’s point of view, both Fisher and Zuhn’s beaming confidence regarding the progress the offensive line has made this offseason provides much-needed context with just two weeks before the Sept. 2 season opener.

For Fisher’s talented yet unproven roster to accomplish any of their lofty goals this season, it begins and ends in the trenches. For the first time since the memorable 2020 9-1 campaign, they might have the horses to compete, and the depth behind the starting five is a big reason why.

Fisher, who has consistently praised the versatility of freshman tackle Chase Bisontis and redshirt freshman guard/center Mark Nabou threw out another intriguing name from his list, as former tight end and current redshirt sophomore tackle Dametreous Crownover, who has continued to stand out this fall as yet another versatile depth piece.

“Chase Bisontis is doing a great job,” Fisher stated. “Dametrious Crownover is having a phenomenal camp. … Mark Nabou has really become a jack of all trades. He is playing center, guard and tackle. He is playing and playing well.”

In a snapshot view, the Aggie’s complete O-line, both starters and backups, is presently constructed as follows:

  • Left tackle: (RS) Trey Zuhn III. Backup: (FR)  Chase Bisontis
  • Left guard: (S) Kam Dewberry. Backup: (RS JR) Aki Ogunbiyi
  • Center: (JR) Bryce Foster. Backup: (RS FR) Mark Nabou
  • Right guard: (RS SR) Layden Robinson. Backup: (JR) Jordan Spacojevic-Moko
  • Right tackle (Jr) Reuben Fatheree II. Backup: (RS SO) Dametrious Crownover

The starting five is more than set, as Foster, Robinson, and Fatheree will hopefully handle the right side for all 12 (hopefully more) games this season, barring injury. Yes, injury is just an annoying part of the position, especially for the Aggies last season, so that versatility mentioned above, a bulk of the O-lineman has shown this month, will surely come in handy late in SEC play.

“We do it in practice all the time,” Fisher stated. “You are trying to get your best five guys across the board and where each guy can be to get your best five.”

In contrast, Kam Dewberry’s impressive play in the latter half of last season, especially his tape against Alabama, has more than solidified his spot at left guard.

Trey Zuhn, the most vital O-line member, was a sight for sore eyes during Monday’s presser, letting us all know that his previous injuries that hindered development have ceased to become a lingering issue this summer.

“Physically, right now, I’m at 110%. I’m stronger than ever. I’m faster than ever. During the season. I had a couple of nicks and knacks that forced me to miss spring ball, but right now, I’m ready to roll.”

Most importantly, the job of an offensive lineman is to move the body in front of them, something we haven’t seen from the Aggies O-line at a consistent pace since the 2020 season, but from top to bottom, freshman to senior, starter to backup, and according to Zuhn, the hog mollies have been doing just that all fall.

“Having everybody back this fall camp has been great. We’re moving guys around a lot because we want as many guys to play as possible.”

If anything, Fisher has been chasing the dream of recreating the 2020 offensive line for the last two seasons that returned 52 out of 65 career starts, including blue-chip guard Kenyon Green, who is now a starter for the Houston Texans.

So, how close is he to achieving that goal this season? We’ll have to wait and see till the games begin, but if continuity and a lack of reserve talent were an issue in 2022, the progress made by both the starters and depth pieces is a good sign that we might be calling the O-line the predominant strength on offense in 2023.

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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Aggies offensive line group ranked second-best in the state of Texas

With a handful of starters returning from 2022, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football recently labeled the Aggies O-line as the second best unit in the state of Texas.

Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher proclaimed that the unit in the trenches would be the team’s strength in 2023, and at least one outlet is singing the same tune.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football recently ranked the best offensive line groups in the state for the 2023 season, and the Maroon and White landed in second place within the Lone Star State. The top five played out as follows:

1. Texas Longhorns
2. Texas A&M Aggies
3. Baylor Bears
4. TCU Horned Frogs
5. Texas Tech Raiders

The following teams rounded out the best of the rest in the Lone Star State:

6. SMU Mustangs
7. UTSA Road Runners
8. Houston Cougars
9. North Texas Mean Green
10. UTEP Miners
11. Rice Owls
12. Texas State Bobcats
13. Sam Houston Bearkats

DCTF placed the Aggies just behind the Longhorns when it came to their recruiting prowess, although it’s been well-noted that few can compete with Texas A&M when it comes to recruiting in the trenches. With a unit that includes C Bryce Foster, OG Layden Robinson, OG Kam Dewberry, and OT Reuben Fatheree II, the key will be remaining healthy for the 2023 campaign according to Mike Craven:

No team in the Lone Star State outside of the Longhorns recruit the offensive line better than the Aggies. The interior of the offensive line should be stout, especially if Foster stays healthy. The Aggies were a different unit with him struggling with injuries and illness throughout 2022.

He’ll be flanked by two potential NFL players at guard in Robinson and Dewberry. The only real question marks are on the outside, but Fatheree was solid as a freshman two years ago and Zuhn has plenty of potential. Expect a step forward from this group in 2023.

The O-line boasts tremendous upside so long as they remain healthy, but let’s be clear in reiterating that the unit has their work cut out for them if they truly want to become elite. If you turn back the clock to 2022, you’ll recall that this group finished with a dull 50.0 pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus, while allowing an average of 2.3 sacks per contest.

Many of those hurdles were a result of injuries, but inexperience was also a key culprit. Having Foster back in the fold should provide a huge boon, as he looks to return to his freshman-year caliber of play when he led all true freshman centers with a 73.0 run-blocking grade per PFF. Added depth in the form of transfers Finn Dirstine and Derek Ferraro, as well as the arrival of incoming freshman Chase Bisontis, should help on the depth front.

With this group among the country’s leaders in returning production, the Aggies must see the experience and rapport within this group translate to strong production on the field. Only then can they stake the claim of being not only among the best in the Lone Star State but potentially in all of college football.

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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Texas A&M OL Bryce Foster named to the Rimington Trophy preseason watchlist

Texas A&M OL Bryce Foster was included in the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which recognizes the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I football.

In what has felt like another day at the office for Texas A&M, one of the football team’s leaders in the trenches has been rightfully added to a preseason watchlist for individual hardware heading into 2023.

On Friday afternoon, it was announced that offensive lineman Bryce Foster was included in the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, as announced by the Rimington Trophy committee. The trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football.

Foster returns for the 2023 season after logging 16 starts at center during his first two seasons with the Maroon and White, including 12 as a freshman and four in 2022. While his season was cut short a year ago due to injury, he’ll look to return to the caliber of play from his freshman season, in which he led all true freshman centers with a 73.0 run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

As a dual-sport athlete, Foster’s strength and athleticism make him a key fulcrum of an offensive line that is among the country’s leaders in returning production. In 2021, Foster was named to The Athletic Freshman All-America First Team, FWAA Freshman All-America Team, and the SEC All-Freshman Team. Additionally, he holds two all-time top-10 shot put records, including the fifth-best outdoor mark at 64’8.75″ and the sixth-best indoor toss at 61’7.75″.

Foster is the latest Aggie to be added to a preseason watchlist for individual hardware, joining McKinnley Jackson, Nik Constantinou, Max Wright, and Donovan Green.

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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