Tag: Dametrious Crownover

Texas A&M has 2 of the highest rated offensive tackles in the state

Texas A&M right tackles Reuben Fatheree and Dametrious Crownover have been lights out this season

Texas A&M’s Week 5 showdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks takes center stage inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as the Southwest Classic will move to a new venue next season. For those who have been paying attention, Texas A&M has defeated the Razorbacks all but once since the 2012 campaign.

This season, both teams enter the game at 3-1 and 1-0 in SEC play while coming off close wins, especially the Aggies’ underwhelming Week 4 performance against a touch Bowling Green team. However, redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed has continued to improve as Conner Weigman recovers from his shoulder injury.

Whoever starts at quarterback on Saturday, the Aggie offensive line must establish dominance in pass protection, as Arkansas’s top-15-ranked run defense could stifle the running game.

Starting left tackle Trey Zuhn has been the most dependable blocker this season. The right tackle position has been a two-man show between seniors Reuben Fatheree and Dametrious Crownover. According to Pro Football Focus, they are currently two of the highest-rated pass protectors in the state of Texas.

Fatheree, who returned from an injury that kept him inactive for most of the 2023 season, has allowed zero pressures, hurries, or sacks in 82 snaps at right tackle and is currently the highest-rated pass protector with an 83.3 grade and a 74.9 run blocking grade.

Crownover, who is equally massive and smooth with his feet, has logged 195 snaps at right tackle while allowing one hit and four quarterback hurries—the senior’s 65.5 pass protection grade is above average, while his 75.0 run blocking grade is one of the best on the team.

Fatheree deserves more snaps at right tackle if we’re strictly going by numbers. Still, given his injury history, it’s no surprise that head coach Mike Elko and O-line coach Adam Cushing are still rotating both players, which is an obvious advantage depth-wise.

Texas A&M will face Arkansas inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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Texas A&M OL Dametrious Crownover prasied for his play vs. Notre Dame

Texas A&M’s starting left tackle looks the part according to CFB analyst Cole Cubelic

If you can take any positives away from Texas A&M’s 2024 season-opening loss to Notre Dame, it was the play of the Aggie O-line against one of the better defensive lines in the country, as improvement in the trenches has been sought after for the last three seasons.

Featuring several new faces, including former Kansas guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, new O-line coach Adam Cushing was tasked with moving players around to find the best fit for every 2023 starter/reserve, which included shifting former starting right tackle Chase Bisontis to left guard due to his size and strength.

Taking over a right tackle, junior OL Dametrious Crownover came into the season at 6-7 and 330 pounds, winning the job over veteran tackle Reuben Fatheree, who has dealt with injury issues over the past two seasons.

After watching the game tape, SEC college football analyst Cole Cubelic noted Crownover’s textbook pass protection rep during one of the cleaner pockets provided to starting quarterback Conner Weigman. Crownover showed solid footwork, delivered his first punch efficiently, and pushed the pass rusher away from the pocket.

https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/1831803727826841852?s=61&t=7Grt_BRNEg2xS6KG8YO0rg

However, watch the rep from Ar’maj Reed-Adams at right guard, who finished his defender with pure power, which is a great sign heading into SEC play. Even with junior center Mark Nabou’s season-ending injury, former Utah center Koli Faaiu enters the fold with plenty of size, understanding of leverage, and starting experience to keep things rolling.

Texas A&M will host McNeese State on Saturday, Sept. 7, for an early kickoff at 11:45 a.m. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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‘That group has come a long way’ Mike Elko is confident in Texas A&M’s O-line

Mike Elko continues to exhibit confidence in Texas A&M’s offensive line ahead of the season opener

Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame is now just one day away, as Mike Elko knows that starting his Aggie head coaching career off with a victory could change the trajectory for a program clearly on the rise.

When evaluating A&M’s roster, which boasts experience at every level coupled with 4—and 5-star recruiting talent, the offensive line has continued to garner questions after last season’s underwhelming performance, as former O-line coach Steve Addazio deserves much of the blame for the lack of development.

This offseason, Elko brought in respected veteran assistant coach Adam Cushing. Cushing coached Duke’s O-line during Elko’s final two seasons with the program. He brought a noted development-based pedigree from his time at Duke and Northwestern, producing several first-round NFL draft picks.

During fall camp, A&M’s offensive line made significant progress, including former Kansas standout guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams taking over at right guard. At the same time, sophomore Chase Bisontis has moved over to left guard, where he should thrive compared to his freshman performance at right tackle.

While all of us who cover the program have worried about the O-line’s status ahead of the opener, Elko, who was asked about the group this week during his appearance on the Aggie Football Hour, feels that these young men are ready to prove their worth as soon as the Aggies take the field.

“Alan and everybody on the planet wants to know the answer to that question!”

“That group has come a long way. They’ve heard the criticism, and they’re prideful kids. … They’re playing well together. They’re playing more physical.”

“They’re very excited to get out there and put that question to bed.”

Suppose this O-line hits the ground running and does not look back. In that case, Texas A&M’s running game and upgraded pass protection will provide OC Collin Klein plenty of room to work his magic in the run game and help starting quarterback Conner Weigman reach his enormous potential in the passing game.

No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ABC.

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Junior OT Trey Zuhn III featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Trey Zuhn III is dripping with NFL potential

The countdown to Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener against Notre Dame is nearing single digits.

Ten days remain before the 7th-ranked Fighting Irish head to College Station for a primetime showdown. New Aggies head coach Mike Elko has completed the long journey to accepting the position, going through his first offseason, and finishing his first fall practice period with the team this month.

Aggies Wire will focus on one player daily for the next ten days, ranking the Top 10 players on the 2024 roster. Coming in at No. 4 on our list, starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III enters a pivotal year as the 6-7 and 315-pound blindside protector has a bright future ahead of him.

With the return of starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who missed the final eight games of the 2023 season due to injury, Zuhn’s importance in solidifying the left side of the line with sophomore OL Chase Bisontis officially moving to left guard is key to helping keep Weigman upright.

Starting 24 games in his Aggie career, Zuhn’s experience has provided new O-line coach Adam Cushing a lot to work with, as the starting center job is still up for grabs, as former Utah OL Kolinu’u Faaiu and sophomore Mark Nabou will continue battling this week.

Possessing solid footwork and hand placement, Zuhn can become a technician at one of the most important positions on offense. He has already received buzz as a rising NFL draft prospect if he ends up having the season many of us expect.

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Already a proven pass protector, Zuhn’s run-blocking skillset isn’t talked about enough, as the junior should continue clearing the way for the Aggie backs under OC Collin Klein’s advanced scheme.

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Texas A&M’s Week 1 depth chart before facing Notre Dame has been released

Texas A&M’s Week 1 depth chart is interesting, to say the least

Texas A&M’s 2024 season kicks off on Saturday afternoon. New head coach Mike Elko will face a familiar opponent: 7th-ranked Notre Dame will head to College Station for the first time in 20-plus years, as both programs last faced each other during the 2001 season.

During his last two seasons as Duke’s head coach, Elko faced the Fighting Irish last season, falling 21-14 in a memorable contest that featured a bulk of the current 2024 Notre Dame defense that takes the field this weekend.

Even more intriguing, Elko will face his former Duke starting quarterback after Riley Leonard transferred to South Bend early in the offseason.

After a successful fall practice slate, Texas A&M’s 2024 roster is all but set. The Week 1 depth chart has been released to the public, and there are several surprises on offense, especially across the offensive line.

Overall, the left side of the line with Trey Zuhn starting at left tackle and sophomore Chase Bistontis starting at left guard was expected, paired with the center battle between Kolinu’nu Faaiu and Mark Nabou, which is still ongoing this week, per the “<OR>” symbol.

However, many of us expected former Kansas guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams to take over at right tackle, but instead, he will stay at right guard to take advantage of his size and strength. According to the depth chart, junior tackle Dametreous Crownover has likely earned the start right tackle job, but senior tackle Reuben Fatheree II could still end up starting in Week 1.

Defensively, defensive tackles DJ Hicks and Albert Regis are battling for the second tackle spot, while the second linebacker job is still up for grabs, with former Pitt LB Solomon DeSheilds currently in the lead.

At cornerback, former Florida CB Jaydon Hill will miss the first half of Saturday’s game due to a targeting penalty dating back to last season, placing senior Tyreek Chappell as the starter at nickel. On the outside, Will Lee III is the only corner who has secured a starting job.

One last interesting note: starting running back Le’Veon Moss is currently listed as the first team kick returner, while freshman Terry Bussey will likely start out as the team’s primary punt returner. With sophomore RB Rueben Owens out for the season, placing as a kick returner isn’t the best idea.

No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT. and will air on ABC.

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Texas A&M underclassmen trio returning for 2024 football season

According to Texas Aggies United, freshmen, WR Micah Tease and DL DJ Hicks, and sophomore OL Dametrious Crownover are returning for next year.

A trio of Texas A&M underclassmen will be back for the 2024 football season to officially kick off the Mike Elko era in College Station.

According to Texas Aggies United, freshmen, wide receiver Micah Tease & defensive lineman DJ Hicks, and sophomore offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover are returning for the next campaign. Crownover is an incoming junior while Tease and Hicks will be sophomores.

It was originally reported on Jan. 3 that Hicks would be forgoing the transfer portal and remain in Aggieland. Hicks will work directly with Sean Spencer, who was hired from Florida to coach the defensive line. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound native of Katy, Texas graduated from Paetow High School last year.

He committed to Texas A&M as a 5-star recruit who was ranked amongst the top 15 players in the country. According to 247Sports, Hicks was the No. 1 player from the Lone Star State in the Class of 2023. He was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America game and Polynesian Bowl.

Hicks played in 11 games for the Aggies this season, tallying 13 tackles (6 solo), 2 tackles for a loss of yards and 1 sack. He racked up 2 tackles during the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27 against No. 20 Oklahoma State.

Tease had a rocky first season in College Station as he was arrested in September. Crownover’s older brother, Earnest, declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Dec. 28 and was a finalist for the Lowman Trophy.

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‘Let’s go ahead and show what we’re really capable of.’ Ainias Smith, McKinnley Jackson, Dametrious Crownover, and Max Wright look ahead toward facing Alabama

For veteran leaders such as Ainias Smith, now’s the time to prove what the Aggies are truly capable of as they host Alabama.

As Texas A&M plays host to Alabama from Kyle Field, the end result of Saturday’s showdown could very well shape the race for the SEC crown.

Both of these programs are tied for first in the division, highlighting the different paths they’ve taken to remain undefeated in SEC play. The Crimson Tide continue to lean on their size and physicality in the trenches, while the Aggies have begun to flex their talent on the defensive line with a vaunted pass rush.

Both of those truths set up what should be a highly contested clash between two storied programs. Veteran leaders such as Ainias Smith, McKinnley Jackson, Dametrious Crownover, and Max Wright each spoke to the media on Monday, underscoring that reality.

While the Aggies are riding high off their win against Arkansas, there’s no time to celebrate with Alabama on deck. In order to pull off the significant upset, it’ll take discipline and execution in the lead-up to Saturday afternoon.

Below are the full press conferences for Ainias Smith, McKinnley Jackson, Dametrious Crownover, and Max Wright ahead of their Week 6 showdown with Alabama. Included are notable takeaways from their time at the podium.

Ohio State in top five of four-star 2021 tight end

Four-star 2021 tight end prospect Dametrious Crownover has released his top five schools and Ohio State is listed.

Ohio State has appeared in the top five schools of four-star 2021 tight end Dametrious Crownover. At six-foot, six-inches, out of Grandview, Texas, Crownover is rated as the No. 10 tight end in the class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and would put some salve in the wound from losing out on another four-star tight end, Hudson Wolfe to Tennessee.

At this point, it looks like the team to beat for his services is the home state Texas A&M program, but with OSU appearing in his top five, there’s still time to make an impression. The other schools appearing in the announcement to his Twitter profile are the aforementioned Aggies, plus Texas, Baylor, and Nebraska.

It’s probably a long shot for Ohio State to make a serious move here with no ability to get him on campus with the dead period put in place by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ll still stay on top of where things are headed.

 

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