Tag: evan stewart

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.

Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart surprisingly left off of On3’s ‘Top 10 Returning College Football WRs’ list

According to On3, Texas A&M star wide receiver Evan Stewart isn’t one of the Top 10 returners at the position. Really?

Preseason college football rankings, especially at the collegiate level, begin and end with every blue blood program being represented at the top of nearly every position list. However, bias towards specific programs begins to seep into the conversation while deserving players are left behind for reasons unknown.

Not to sound overly dramatic about rankings of all things, but when On3 released their ‘Top 10 Returning College Football Wide Receivers’ list on Sunday, Texas A&M star sophomore wideout Evan Stewart, who by all accounts is one of the top returning players at any position for the 2023 season, didn’t even crack the Top 10.

Stewart came out of Frisco, Texas, where I also spent five years of my young existence as a five-star recruit and the No.1-ranked WR prospect in the 2022 class; he broke onto the scene as one of the few bright spots during Texas A&M’s disappointing 2022 campaign, weaving his way through defenses every week while recording 53 receptions for 649 yards and two touchdowns, garnering a 12.2 yards per reception average on the year. Speed, suddenness, and exceptionally quick feet paired with great hands have already impressed NFL scouts, but according to On3, he needs to be better!

Their compiled list is accurate, 1-4, but things could be more precise. However, every player listed is the best receiver on their respective team; Stewart’s skill set alone deserves regulations from a sheer potential perspective. Regardless, Evan Stewart is simply thriving, and if his Spring Game performance (7 receptions, 97 yards) isn’t enough to get you excited for the 2023 season, It’s time to wake up.

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 receiver Evan Stewart agrees to NIL deal with luxury fashion brand Coach

The Aggies star receiver is making big moves off the field after agreeing to a NIL deal with luxury brand Coach, marking the latest addition to his growing portfolio.

Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart will be making highlight-worthy catches for the Aggies later this fall, but when it comes to making big moves off the field there’s no better time than the present.

According to On3, the sophomore wideout, who was a five-star plus recruit in the 2022 recruiting cycle and of the key members of A&M’s top-ranked class, has signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with the luxury fashion brand Coach. After promoting the brand on his Instagram multiple times as of late, it appears that Tuesday’s news put a stamp on their official partnership.

The luxury brand specializes in leather handbags, luggage, accessories, and clothing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq6ACOhPyA-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Aggies’ star receiver joins fellow SEC athlete and LSU basketball star Angel Reese, who is coming off a national championship, as recent signees with the luxury brand. Reese agreed to a deal with the company back in August and gifted her entire team Coach bags ahead of the Women’s 2023 NCAA Tournament.

Stewart flashed his star potential as a true freshman in 2022, finishing with 53 receptions for 649 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Over this past weekend, he hauled in seven catches for 97 yards in the Aggies’ annual Maroon and White spring game.

The sophomore’s latest deal with Coach only expands his current NIL portfolio after he agreed to a deal with NIL deal with NOCCO USA, a popular European drink that was developed in Sweden. According to On3, his $871,000 valuation ranks No. 29 in the On3 NIL 100, which is a NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation. He also ranks No. 18 in NIL valuation in 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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Evan Stewart and Micah Tease headline Texas A&M’s wide receiver depth in Maroon and White game

Evan Stewart’s over-the-shoulder catch and Micah Tease’s 52-yard touchdown grab spotlight a promising Aggies receiver corps following Saturday’s Maroon and White game.

Team White may have fended off Team Maroon in a 33-19 win during Texas A&M‘s 2023 spring game, but everyone should walk away optimistic after seeing the receiving corps on display at Kyle Field on Saturday.

Evan Stewart (7 receptions, 97 yards, 1 lost fumble) and Micah Tease (3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 receiving touchdown) were by far the top performers of the day with each putting up respective highlight-worthy catches in the opening quarter. Stewart received a nice over-the-shoulder pass from quarterback Conner Weigman, while Tease had a catch of 52 yards from Max Johnson that put the White Team in the end zone first.

Ainias Smith (4 receptions, 67 yards, 1 touchdown) had a long reception in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, which illustrates how an already talented receiving corps can only become more potent with the redshirt senior’s return. Raymond Cottrell (2 receptions, 22 yards) looked solid in the offensive scheme while Noah Thomas, unfortunately, saw his day cut short after leaving from a scary hit in the opening minutes.

The spring game is still an exhibition, so you never want to see those types of injuries at this time of year. It’s also key to note that Moose Muhammad III did not dress for Saturday’s game after managing to practice in just a limited capacity on Wednesday.

You can bet that Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino have more than a few cards up their sleeves when it comes to the playbook, but it was still promising to see the offense line up in various formations that featured a handful of wideouts in motion.

This offense ranked just 101st in the country in scoring last season (22.8 PPG), so witnessing an injection of creativity will always be a welcome sight, even during spring ball.

Petrino has a track record of tailoring his offenses to his best players and with Stewart flashing his upside on Saturday, you can be sure that this offense will open up space for him to do damage against the second and third levels of the defense.

Seeing this receiving corps in action on Saturday should have Aggies fans eager for the 2023 campaign, but it doesn’t mean Fisher and this staff should stand pat during the transfer portal window that re-opened, coincidentally, on Saturday. With the likes of former USC receiver Gary Bryant potentially in the mix, A&M could add even more depth to this unit should they be aggressive in the coming weeks.

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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Report: Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart has returned to spring football practice

Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart has reportedly returned to spring football practice from his brief absence after a mild ankle injury last month

Texas A&M and head coach Jimbo Fisher received some fantastic news on Monday, as star wide receiver Evan Stewart has reportedly returned to practice in the final week of spring football after sustaining a mild ankle injury last month, just five days before the Aggies’ Maroon and White Spring Game on Saturday, April 15.

Stewart was pictured with a walking boot on a mutual friend’s post on social media in March, leading to questions regarding just how serious the image was, until Jimbo Fisher finally put the issue to bed, stating that Stewart’s injury was simply nothing to worry about going forward.

Just how quickly Stewart will assimilate himself into the offense the rest of the week is up to the coaching staff, but the hope is that he’s healthy enough to take part in the spring game due to the value of pre-season snaps with presumed starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who are both entering their sophomore campaigns while already developing notable chemistry late last season.

In 2022, Evan Stewart accumulated 53 receptions for 549 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns in 10 games.

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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Report: Aggies WR Evan Stewart has sustained an ankle injury during spring practice

It was reported that Aggies star sophomore wide receiver Evan Stewart sustained an ankle injury during spring practice

Texas A&M started spring football off on a good start last Monday. The pivotal 2023 season starts and ends with roster construction and implementing the newest recruiting class to blend with the current veterans leading the program into the season.

However, injuries in spring practice, especially to some of the more vital members of the roster, can hinder development opportunities. Yet, the positive news is that the regular season is still five months away so the healing process can complete its process before wins and losses come into play.

According to a source and a post on social media, Aggies starting wide receiver Evan Stewart, who is entering his sophomore season, has reportedly sustained an ankle injury during spring practice, likely ending his spring football season.

Without knowing the severity of the injury, assumption or speculation is inappropriate, and we’re wishing Stewart a speedy recovery in the coming months ahead of what should be a monster 2023 season for the ascending superstar talent.

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 Football: Five way-too-early breakout players for 2023

The Aggies are equipped to put the rest of the SEC on notice so long as these five key players the next leap and breakout in 2023.

It’s the world’s worst-kept secret that Texas A&M is entering a hugely important 2023 season. The Jimbo Fisher-led Aggies are in need of a turnaround campaign this fall, but the truth is that after going 5-7 last season (2-6 SEC), there really is nowhere to go but up for this program.

Accomplishing that goal should be just a tad bit easier given the promising potential of a few players, who with another year of experience and new additions to the coaching staff, could elevate themselves from key contributors to potential stars in just one season.

Simply put, the Maroon and White have too much talent on the roster to post back-to-back underwhelming seasons. A&M has rarely, if ever, posted back-to-back losing seasons, which means the Aggies should put the rest of the SEC on notice in 2023 so long as their key cornerstones elevate themselves.

Spring football is still well underway for the Aggies, but we’re already looking ahead to which names could be the breakout players for 2023.

Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Wide receiver position breakdown

Spring football for the Aggies is well underway which means it’s time to break down each positional unit. Up next, Wide receivers.

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, beginning with arguably the most important position on the roster.

The Aggies wide receiver room gained two new members from the 2023 recruiting class as 4-star wideouts Raymond Cottrell and Micah Tease join the room, while the biggest news remains the return of swiss-army-knife do it all slot receiver Ainias Smith returning his final season in Aggieland.

With that, here is how the depth chart is currently constructed this spring, and potentially at the start of the 2023 season:

Returners (2022 season stats)

  • Sophomore Evan Stewart, Starting X receiver: 53 receptions, 649 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 10 games during the 2022 season
  • Senior Ainias Smith, Starting Slot receiver: 15 receptions, 291 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 4 games during the 2022 season.
  • Junior Moose Muhammad III, Starting Z receiver: 38 receptions for 610 yards and 4 touchdowns in 10 games during the 2022 season.
  • Sophomore Noah Thomas: 5 receptions for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns in 5 games played during the 2022 season.
  • Senior Jalen Preston: 7 receptions for 89 yards and 1 touchdown in 12 games played during the 2022 season.

Departures

  • Sophomore Chris Marshall (transferred to Ole Miss)
  • Junior Yulkeith Brown (transferred to Tulane)
  • Senior Chase Lane (transferred to Georgia Tech)
  • Senior Devin Price (transferred to App State)

Key thoughts and predictions:

The hiring of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino should bring an element of explosive play to an offense that ranked 100th in the country in points per game last season, utilizing the immense talent of a starting lineup consisting of Stewart, Smith, and Muhammad that would present a weekly matchup nightmare for any defense unable to match the collective speed and athleticism within an extended route tree.

The biggest issue for the unit that may seep into the regular season is overall depth, as UTEP transfer Tyrin Smith’s status with the program remains in flux, as he is currently present at spring practice, yet still has the option to leave and return to UTEP at any time.

The potential this group has in unison with presumed starting quarterback Conner Weigman obviously depends on both the play-calling and performance of the offensive line next season, but if things begin to gel in the first couple of weeks, we’re talking about one of the more dangerous passing offenses in the SEC and the country.

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 Football’s 2022 true freshmen class graded fifth-best at Pro Football Focus

Texas A&M’s true freshmen were thrust into starting action last season, and their contributions were commended by Pro Football Focus.

The Texas A&M Aggies are roughly a month out from their April 15th Spring Game and all eyes will be on the practices leading up to the action. Plenty of questions surround this season’s trajectory, but there’s also been a jolt of hope based on how the Maroon and White closed out last season.

While their 5-7 record in 2022 was an eyesore, you have to commend the Aggies on finishing the year with an emphatic upset win over LSU, all while leaning on a handful of true freshmen down the stretch.

The Aggies’ efforts warrant accolades in the eyes of Pro Football Focus, who graded last year’s true freshmen class as the fifth-best in 2022.

While the stats don’t immediately jump off the page, their numbers speak volumes given that many were thrust into SEC action ahead of schedule. Quarterback Conner Weigman embodies that revelation, throwing for 896 yards and eight touchdowns in five starts following a hand injury to Max Johnson that knocked him out for the year.

Based on how Weigman performed after being thrown into the fire it looks like he fits the bill to be the future of the program.

It would be remiss to overlook the contributions from the other true freshmen in College Station last year, including Evan Stewart, who led Texas A&M with 643 receiving yards. Donovan Green caught two touchdowns as the Aggies’ starting tight end, and starting guard Kam Dewberry and edge defender Shemar Stewart both logged snaps as true freshmen.

So when you judge the book by its cover, A&M’s record last year gets nitpicked, and perhaps it’s justified based on preseason expectations. But upon the realization that the Aggies relied on a number of true freshmen, their contributions should be recognized.

That 38-23 upset over the Tigers at Kyle Field could prove to be a sneak peek of this roster’s potential in 2023 and beyond. This true freshmen class managed to weather the storm and ended last season with an emphatic win, so you can only imagine what their ceiling looks like in year two.

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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