Tag: Demani Richardson

Twelve Aggies will represent Texas A&M in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

Ahead of the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, twelve Aggie football players will represent the Maroon and White on Feb. 1.

We’re just 42, yes, 42 days away from the end of “talkin’ season” and the start of actual Texas A&M Football being played inside Kyle Field, as the Aggies kick off their crucial 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, hosting New Mexico.

Now, taking a sneak peek ahead to February, which is likely a dreaded thought for most, it was announced this week that twelve Aggie football players will represent the program in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, which for the first time in its vast history will take place in my former hometown, Frisco, Texas at the Ford Center at The Star, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboy’s primary practice field.

Texas A&M’s 2023 season may already be marred by several media-obsessed storylines surrounding the program’s 2022 failures and how well Jimbo Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s “egos” will work in tandem. Still, focusing on the unscathed truths around what truly matters while gauging future success, the Aggies roster is stacked from top to bottom. Every player selected in the East-West Shrine Bowl is some of the best at their respective postion in the county.

  • Senior Punter, Nic Constantinou 
  • Junior Linebacker, Edgerrin Cooper 
  • Senior Cornerback, Josh DeBerry
  • Junior Defensive end, Fadil Diggs 
  • Senior Cornerback, Tony Grimes 
  • Senior Defensive Tackle, McKinnley Jackson 
  • Junior Wide receiver, Moose Muhammad III
  • Senior Safety, Demani Richardson 
  • Senor Offensive guard, Layden Robinson 
  • Senior Linebacker Chris Russell Sr. 
  • Senior Wide receiver (selected as a running back) Ainias Smith 
  • Junior Offensive guard Jordan Spacojevic-Moko

In response to the change of venue, Dallas Cowboys’ Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, and Director of Player Personnel, Stephen Jones, described his excitement in bringing the game to Frisco and its continued effort in raising the profile for Shriners Children Hospital.

“It is a tremendous honor to host the East-West Shrine Bowl at the Ford Center at The Star next February,” said Stephen Jones “The game is a fixture in college football. We look forward to bringing the best college football players in the country to Frisco in the spirit of helping Shriners Children’s care for young patients around the world.”

Congratulations to all twelve young men for their selection ahead of what is hopefully a memorable 2023 season in College Station.

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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Media predicts Texas A&M’s finish in SEC West, Five Aggies make Preseason All-SEC

With the SEC’s 2023 media days having wrapped up, the projected order of finish was revealed for Texas A&M, who saw five Aggies earn Preseason All-SEC recognition.

With SEC media days having wrapped up on Friday, the festivities officially conclude with the release of this year’s Preseason All-SEC candidates and the unveiling of the predicted order of finish for the 2023 season.

This year’s rollout carries some added significance as it marks the final season of the two-division, 14-team format. Next year, the SEC will welcome Texas and Oklahoma into the fold and abandon the division structure, as each program will play eight conference games for the 2024 season.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Texas A&M was predicted by the media to finish third in the SEC West, behind Alabama (1) and LSU (2). The Crimson Tide received 165 votes to win the West, edging out LSU, who received 117. The Aggies, meanwhile, received one first-place vote.

Over in the East, Georgia was predicted to win the division with 265 first-place votes and additionally was picked to win the SEC Championship with 181 points.

Additionally, Aggie football saw five players earn Preseason All-SEC recognition on Friday after polling by the media at media days. Ainias Smith was named a first-team all-purpose player, second-team return specialist, and third-team wide receiver.

At their primary positions, Nik Constantinou, McKinnley Jackson, and Demani Richardson were each named to the second team, while Layden Robinson earned third-team distinctions.

With just under two months until the start of the 2023 season, Texas A&M will prepare for their first matchup of the season as they play host to New Mexico on Saturday, September 2, at Kyle Field, with kick-off set for 6:00 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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Seven Aggies make PFF’s 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team

Ahead of Texas A&M’s pivotal 2023 CFB season, seven Aggies have made PFF’s 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team.

The countdown to Texas A&M’s pivotal 2023 football season is nearing the 40-day mark, and after Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, who wide receiver Ainias Smith accompanied, defensive end Fadil Diggs, and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson spoke during the first day of the 2023 SEC Media Days, college football is (kind of) back!

On Monday, PFF writer Anthony Treash released his 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team, as senior LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels unsurprisingly leads the way as the First Team signal caller, seven well-known players for the Maroon and White received First Team, Second Team, and Third Team selections, as the Aggie’s roster is by far one of the more talented and experienced groups in the conference and the country.

Entering his sixth season as the helm, Jimbo Fisher’s polarized relationship with the media has zero effect on how the Aggies perform on the field this season. Still, to echo nearly every fellow writer who covers the program, the trust he has developed with the fanbase will slowly fade away.

However, new OC and (assumed) play-caller Bobby Petrino may be the cure-all to A&M’s offensive shortfalls in 2022, and as these rankings display, he’ll have plenty to work with.

Every Texas A&M player selected in PFF’s 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team is listed below!

Texas A&M Football 2023 Position Preview: Safeties; a deep and talented group

Texas A&M’s safety depth is one of the many strengths within the Aggies roster, led by senior strong safety Demani Richardson.

Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season in just 50 short days, 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, starting one Safety; of the deepest and most experienced groups the country,

Returning production: Senior strong safety Demani Richardson will return for his fifth and final season in Aggieland after using his Covid year, coming off of yet another productive 2022 season, recording a career-high 73 tackles and five PBUs; he is not only looking to increase his NFL Draft status for 2024 but do everything in his power to aid the Aggies in rebounding from their disappointing 5-7 2022 campaign.

Junior free safety Jardin Gilbert, who ascended on the scene during his first season as a starter, recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions, and four PBUs in 2022. Expect big things from Gilbert in Year 3.

The Sophomore duo of former 2022 four-star prospects Jacoby Matthews (25 tackles, 15 solo) and Jarred Kerr (22 tackles, 15 solo, one sack) make up most of the safety depth after both produced when their names were called in big moments last season. After a minor offseason hiccup, Matthews is ready to pick up where he left off as a free safety depth piece, while the speedy Kerr will likely be utilized as a third-down blitzing option.

Departures: Former Texas A&M safety/nickel corner Antonio Johnson, who was drafted in the 5th-round of the 2023 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is truly the only loss the Aggies have incurred at the position this offseason, and even though his notable length and versatility will be missed, the Aggies are in very good hands for 2023.

Final Observation: Texas A&M’s defense ranked first in the country in passing yards allowed at 156.2 yards per game last season, primarily due to Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert’s consistent effort combined with a defensive back group that will also experience limited attrition going into next season. For those wondering, sophomore defensive back Bryce Anderson will likely take over the nickel corner spot, replacing Antonio Johnson.

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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According to PFF, Demani Richardson is a Top 10 returning safety

In PFF’s recent positional rankings ahead of the 2023 season, Aggie’s safety Demani Richardson is one of the best at the safety position.

Texas A&M is littered with veteran players on both offense and defense ahead of the pivotal 2023 season. One returning senior opposite do-it-all wide receiver Ainias Smith, strong safety Demani Richardson is returning for his fourth and possibly final season with the Maroon and White after leading the 2022 defense with 73 tackles (48 solo), two fumble returns for TDs, and five pass deflections on the season.

According to PFF, Demani Richardson was ranked as the eighth-best returning safety in the country ahead of the 2023 campaign, as Max Chadwick’s reasoning for placing Richardson among the top 10 stems from his plays over the last two seasons:

Richardson is heading into his fifth season as a starting safety for the Aggies. Over the last two years, the senior’s 29 run-defense stops are tied for ninth among Power Five safeties while his 18 coverage stops are tied for fourth.

Albeit the miserable week-to-week losses we all had to endure, Richardson’s gritty consistency was one of the few bright spots. At the same time, his two highlight plays of the year came in the form of the always entertaining “scoop and score” fumble returns that completely flipped the Aggie’s late September win against Arkansas while flipping the momentum in the memorable season finale win against LSU.

Joining senior defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, Richardson’s leadership of what will still be a young defense populated by members of the historic 2022 recruiting class, and while he’s focused on improving his play to increase his future NFL Draft stock, it’s all about helping the team move forward and focus on achieving the lofty goals they’ve set for 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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Four Aggies named to Athlon Sports’ Preseason All-Americans list

Athlon Sports has released their Preseason All-American list for the 2023 season, and four Aggies have deservedly made the list.

Get ready because we are just in the beginning stages of nearly every major sports outlet releasing their preliminary Top 25 rankings and, of course, preseason accolades that, in their most negative sense, may boost the egos of certain players who are then unable to live up to the hype on the field.

For Texas A&M, the 2023 season is filled with enough storylines to fill a novel, starting with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s role in developing former five-star prospect and ascending sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman.

What the Aggies aren’t lacking in the slightest is talent and experience on what has become a loaded roster after recent transfer portal additions have solved several depth issues, while veterans such as wide receiver Ainias Smith and Safety Demani Richardson are returning for their final season in Aggieland, looking to do whatever they can to aid in the program’s substantial rebound after the 5-7 (2-6 SEC) 2022 season has plagued many fans expectations.

Due to their importance and expected impact next season, Athlon Sports named Smith and Richardson to their Preseason All-American list, including electric sophomore wide receiver Evan Stewart and Punter Nik Constantinou. Here is the complete list per their team designation:

  • Senior Wide Receiver/Return Specialist Ainias Smith, Third-Team Specialist
  • Senior Safety Demani Richardson, Third-Team Defense
  • Sophomore Wide Receiver Evan Stewart, Fourth-Team Offense
  • Senior Punter Nik Constantinou, Fourth-Team Specialist

For Texas A&M to achieve their lofty goals in 2023, all four young men listed will need to take a big step forward in their play on the field (excluding Smith’s season-ending injury in 2022), but with all the failure experience last season, the only way to go is up, am I right?

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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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.

Here are the eligible Texas A&M Aggies and projected big board for the 2024 NFL Draft

After just three Aggies were selected in this year’s NFL Draft, the number of eligible prospects for Texas A&M could increase exponentially for the 2024 class.

The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and while Texas A&M had only three prospects declare for this year’s draft, it was encouraging to see all three hear their names called last weekend. Fast forward to the 2024 draft, and the volume of Aggies looking to go pro could exponentially increase.

If last year’s performance was any indication, A&M’s underwhelming 5-7 record could have potentially played a role in the likes of Devon Achane, Antonio Johnson, and Jaylon Jones slipping relative to their 2023 projected draft positions. But if the Maroon and White organize a resounding comeback season in the fall, it wouldn’t be surprising to see NFL scouts taking notice of eligible prospects.

With an eye toward the future, the Aggies have a handful of names on the offensive line, in the receiving room, and on the defense that could declare for next year’s draft. And unlike this year’s trio of prospects, there’s a chance for the Maroon and White to boast a potential first-rounder.

Below is the early big board for eligible Texas A&M prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, including their current projected draft position according to NFL Mock Draft Database.

Texas A&M’s safety group has a nice mix of experience and breakout potential heading into 2023

Texas A&M’s safety unit possesses a nice mix of veteran experience and star potential, led by two returning starters with one breakout candidate to keep an eye on.

With spring football in the rearview mirror, it leaves ample time to dissect what appears to be one of the stronger units on the Texas A&M roster in their safety group.

Headling the backend unit for the Aggies are two experienced starters in Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert. Richardson returns for his fifth season while Gilbert heads back for his third, and the fact that both have improved year-over-year should spell great things for this unit in 2023.

Richardson has gotten better in coverage over the last few seasons and was graded 66.4 in coverage per PFF (393rd out of all safeties). He’s fine-tuned his ability to see plays as they develop and anticipate routes for pass breakups. Gilbert has improved his tackling and feels primed to make a leap in run support after being graded 43.9 in run defense by PFF in 2022.

Perhaps the biggest x-factor of this unit is sophomore Bryce Anderson, who many coaches and observers noted was one of the best performers during the Aggies 2023 spring football program. That consensus belief seems justified as he was named one of the team’s defensive MVPs during the Maroon and White game.

Anderson was rated as a four-star coming out of high school and already has a bevy of experience underneath him after logging snaps as a backup last year, as well as on special teams.

He’s currently slotted in as a nickel corner, which means he’ll likely fill the void left by Antonio Johnson. The fit makes sense as he should thrive with his physicality and athleticism, but don’t rule out a possible shift to one of the safety spots in the near future. If there was one name in this unit to keep an eye out for a potential breakout season, it’s Anderson.

When it’s all said and done, there’s a chance he could lend just as great of an impact as Johnson did before him.

Outside of the aforementioned names, it gets a bit spotty when it comes to safety depth. Granted, that’s to be expected when you have a handful of younger players that are bound to face a learning curve. Jacoby Matthews has size but was in and out of spring ball. Jared Kerr was also a bit banged up, and the playing time for Bobby Taylor remains to be seen. He did enter, then exit, the transfer portal just recently, so perhaps more snaps on the field is in the near future for him.

Jimbo Fisher could very well round out this unit with additional depth via the transfer portal, but as the group currently stands they have a nice blend of veteran experience, coupled with a potential breakout star, that should put a stamp on the impending 2023 season.

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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Bleacher Report lists Aggies safety Demani Richardson as the “Top senior” at the position for the 2023 season

Bleacher Report recently ranked every “Top Senior” at every postion of the 2023 season and Texas A&M’s Demani Richardson is unsurprisingly the best returner at the safety position

The 2023 college football season for Texas A&M is sadly going to be marred by the dreadful 5-7 2022 season that many in the media will continue to perpetuate for talking points and clicks, but don’t be distracted by the real story behind what is primed to be a bounce-back season for the Maroon and White led by numerous veterans who have returned to College Station for one more trip around the bend.

One of the aforementioned returning vets includes senior strong safety Demani Richardson, who chose to forgo the 2023 NFL Draft in order to attempt a chance and redemption after another forgettable 2022 campaign. On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon wrote an article titled “Top Seniors at Each Position Heading into the 2023 College Football Season”, as he ranked one player and an honorary mention at every postion on offense and defense, ranking Richardson as the top senior returning safety. Here’s why Kenyon Chose Demani over every other candidate:

Demani Richardson is on the verge of becoming a great topic for Texas A&M football trivia in about a decade.

Provided he stays healthy, Richardson will complete is fifth season as a starter in 2023. He’s appeared in 44 games and registered 246 career tackles, addiing five takeaways and four forced fumbles.

Last year specifically, he served as a team captain and paced the defense with 74 tackles. Richardson also scored two touchdowns, both of which helped the Aggies earn their only two victories in SEC games.

Beating out Kanas senior safety Kenny Logan Jr., Richardson’s leadership qualities will only help the Aggie’s young, yet talented defense take the next step under second-year defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, and after the departure of defensive backs Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones to the Draft, he’ll be looked upon as the sole leader in critical situations throughout the SEC schedule.

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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