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Johntay Cook joins the speculative fun about Evan Stewart.
Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart has Texas’ attention. Now the burnt orange faithful are wondering if the feeling is mutual following a vague Stewart tweet. Continue reading “Evan Stewart and Texas commit Johntay Cook spark intrigue on Twitter”
Texas A&M leads Florida 24-20 at halftime in an offensive shootout
The Aggies entered their Week 10 matchup against the Florida Gators with a glimmer of offensive optimism after freshman quarterback Conner Weigman absolutely shined in a loss against the Ole Miss Rebels last weekend, but that optimism was short-lived after word came out that the flu made its way through the Texas A&M locker room throughout the week, leaving the team without six players and 3 starters, including Conner Weigman against the Gators because of it.
In a game where defense is optional with over 500 combined yards so far, the shorthanded Aggie offense led by quarterback Haynes King in his 5th start this season relied on star running back Devon Achane early and often, scampering 65 yards in the first offensive play of the game, and scoring a 5-yard touchdown a couple of plays later. King later connected with Achane for a 5-yard touchdown pass, as the Aggies took a 14-10 lead.
As I said before, defense has been optional for both teams, as the Aggies have surrendered two rushing touchdowns to quarterback Anthony Richardson from 10 yards and 60 yards out, as the latter score eventually gave the Gators a 17-14 lead, and after adding a couple of field goals from both teams, the score stood at 20-17 with nearly five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
After the Aggies finally forced their first defensive stop against the high-flying Florida offense, the (at least for today) lethal combination of Haynes King and Devon Achane led an 80-plus-yard drive as Achane yet again punched it in for a score to take the 24-20 lead heading into halftime.
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Freshman wide out Evan Stewart made the best offensive play of the season for the Aggies, and social media loved it.
The Aggies matchup with the Ole Miss Rebels has been the true freshman show, and that was most expressed on their second offensive drive of the game, which featured a big throw and catch from freshman quarterback Conner Weigman to freshman tight end Donovan Green, along with a huge throw under pressure from Weigman to sophomore Moose Muhammad to convert a big third down.
But the play of the drive, and maybe the best play of the game for the Aggies offense was a fifteen yard touchdown pass from Weigman to freshman Evan Stewart, who made an unbelievable one handed catch in the corner of the end zone to give the Aggies a seven point lead.
Check out the best reactions from Twitter to the fish-to-fish score.
Who do you pick as your step-up candidates in the second half of the season?
After a week off, the Texas A&M Aggies are set to resume play. The team will come into Week 8 with a 3-3 record as they travel to Columbia, South Carolina.
The Aggies are a perfect 8-0 against the Gamecocks in their history that only dates back to the 2014 season. They have played every season since. The average margin of victory in the series is 18.9 points.
A win against Shane Beamer and South Carolina would even their SEC record at 2-2. For the Aggies to right the ship and reach some of their 2022 goals there are five players that need to step up down the stretch. All the names mentioned coming on the offensive side of the ball.
Fisher’s offensive unit ranks dead last in the SEC at 21.5 points per game. The Aggies are also last in total offense at 333.5 yards per game, they trail the No. 13 team Vanderbilt by 428 total yards.
Check out our list of the five Aggies who have an opportunity to make an impact:
How would you grade the Aggies offense through the first half of the season?
Texas A&M is in the midst of a much-needed break as the team has played six games so far this season, sitting at a disappointing 3-3 with another six games left to show that the program is indeed progressing, just at a gradual speed.
So, as we are officially at the mid-point of the 2022 season for the maroon and white, Aggies Wire is here to hand out a couple of mid-season grades, focusing on the offense and defense so far as the team will prepare to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Oct. 22nd next weekend.
To know one’s surprise, the grade fits the performance, and after six games played, the Aggie offense has been statistically one of the worst in the country, ranked 110th nationally, and in the bottom half of most individual offensive statistics as well. The blame game has been pervasive to say the least, whether head coach Jimbo Fisher’s play calling, issues at quarterback, or the poor play of the offensive line is the primary blame for their lack of consistency, and especially ball control, a metric that Fisher prides himself, ranking 109th at 27 minutes per contest.
What has kept this group from receiving an F grade? Running back Devon Achane, and the recent emergence of freshman pass catchers Evan Stewart, Chris Marshall, and tight end Donovan Green. Achane is well known as one of the fastest and most versatile backs in the country and currently ranks 4th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 912 on the year. Stewart finally broke on the scene in Texas A&M’s recent loss to Alabama, recording 8 receptions for 106 yards, while Marshall and Green also made their presence felt against the Crimson Tide.
Lastly, the quarterback situation and the offensive line issues can be summarized in a similar fashion, as both have been marred by inconsistency, especially in critical moments in nearly every game this season. Going from Haynes King to Max Johnson and then Haynes King again due to Johnson’s recent hand injury is obviously not a recipe for success, but even King’s statistically impressive performance against Alabama (253 passing, 2 touchdowns) does not inspire confidence due to his mechanical issues still being a constant issue. We will finally learn if the reports surrounding King’s rumored injury have any merit early next week.
The Aggies O-line has honestly been average at best since their elite performance in the 2020 season while failing to live up to preseason expectations based on three returning starters on the right side in sophomores Bryce Foster and Reuben Fatheree, and junior Layden Robinson becoming stable forces.
Injuries have plagued the group throughout the year, yes communication issues against elite SEC defenses (and even Appalacian State) have virtually killed multiple offensive drives no matter who the quarterback has been. The expectation is that the longer the established starting group plays together, they should be able to iron out their fixable issues through the next six games.
Here’s to hoping that smoother roads are ahead for the Aggies offense for the next six weeks.
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Evan Stewart, Walter Nolan, and Jake Johnson are all primed to be major contributors during the 2022 season
Texas A&M’s 2022 recruiting class continues to garner preseason recognition, as the 29-player haul is cemented in college football recruiting history as the greatest class of all time.
Littered with 5-Star talent on both offense and defense, three players stuck out the most for ESPN to be included in their recent 2022 preseason true freshman All-America team, composed of Wide receiver Evan Stewart (No.13 ranked player), Defensive tackle Walter Nolan (No.1 ranked player), and Tight end Jake Johnson (95th ranked player). As it presently stands, Stewart is potentially slated to start at the X receiver spot on offense for the Aggies, while Nolan and Johnson look to carve out significant rotational roles.
ESPN writers Tom VanHaaren and Tom Luginbill authored the list, describing each Texas A&M freshman selection in the following manner:
Evan Stewart, Wide receiver (picked by Luginbill and VanHaaren):
“Theres alot of hype surrounding Stewart, and so far, it appears to be real. The Aggies have a need for game-breakers, and with his 10-5-meter track speed and ability to stretch the field, Stewart should join Ainias Smith as one of the top two targets for whoever is player quarterback this fall”- Luginbill
“The Aggies lost tight end Jalen Wydermyer, running back Isaiah Spiller, and receivers Demond Demas and Caleb Chapman, who all factored into the pass game last season. Stewart will have Haynes King and Max Johnson at quarterback, so stability under center should give Stewart a chance to succeed early.”-VanHarren
Walter Nolan, Defensive lineman (picked by Luginbill and VanHaaren):
“We might as well include the entire class of defensive lineman here for the Aggies–they landed the Nos.1 and 2 defensive tackles and defensive end recruits–but Nolan gets the nod due to his tireless work ethic and competitive temperment. He’s a worker with talent and that’s a scary combination in a young player”–Luginbill
“As Luginbill mentioned, Texas A&M hauled in a ridiculously talented defensive line class with four five-star lineman and seven ranked in the ESPN 300. Nolan was the No.1 propsect overall and can help fill a void upfront this season.”–VanHaaren
Jake Johnson, Tight end (picked by Luginbill)
“Johnson may be the most heralded tight end in the Aggies 2022 class, but the reality is that Texas A&M could see three true freshmen occupy the position this fall with Donovan Green and Theo Melin Ohrstrom. For now, Johnson is a jumbo-sized WR (6-5, 210) morphing into a tight end.”
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Three Aggies are named to On3’s 2022 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team
Texas A&M’s 2022 recruiting class is hopefully on its way to reaching legendary status in the next couple of years, as it is collectively the most talented recruiting class in history on the national stage, and one of the reasons the Aggies are expected to make some noise on the field this season.
Today, On3, one of the leaders in college football recruiting, released their 2022 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team, including three electrifying Texas A&M freshmen from the 2022 recruiting class, which was comprised of 5-Star Wide receiver Evan Stewart, 5-Star Tight end Jake Johnson, and 5-Star Defensive tackle Walter Nolan. Here is On3 writer Charles Power’s explication for each player selected.
Evan Stewart, Wide receiver:
Evan Stewart appears to be Texas A&M’s top pass-catcher entering the season. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect was the Aggies’ offensive MVP from spring practice and caught eight passes for 78 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. Stewart’s ascent has continued into fall camp, as he’s earned steady praise from Jimbo Fisher and anyone associated with the Texas A&M program. The Frisco (Texas) Liberty product is a dynamic receiver who pairs high-end athleticism with advanced route-running ability and ball skills. Stewart figures to be a high-volume target for Texas A&M as early as week one. He ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 2 wide receiver in the 2022 On3 Consensus.
Jake Johnson, Tight end:
Jake Johnson was the most technically advanced route-runner and pass catcher at tight end in the 2022 cycle. The NFL legacy has a nuanced game, with the ability to create separation within his routes while showing a large catch radius at the high school level. Johnson is one of three talented true freshmen tight ends in College Station along with Donovan Green and Theo Melin Ohrstrom. We know Jimbo Fisher loves targeting tight ends in the passing game, and our feeling is Johnson is the most skilled pass-catcher of the group on campus at this time. The talent is there to provide another needed target early on. Johnson was the No. 73 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the 2022 On3 Consensus.
Walter Nolan, Defensive Tackle:
Walter Nolen was the headliner of Texas A&M’s historic 2022 signing class — one that included four Five-Star Plus+ prospects and nine On3 Consensus five-stars. The Powell (Tenn.) High product has missed some of fall camp with an injury but is working his way back into action. Nolen has cut significant weight and is down to under 300 pounds after getting up over 340 prior to his senior season. Even though he’s playing on a defensive line that is very likely the deepest group at the position nationally, we would not be surprised to see Nolen make an impact once he gets up to speed. The On3 Consensus’ No. 1 prospect in the cycle has a unique combination of size, athleticism, power and pass rush ability.
As all three freshmen have impressed during fall camp, Evan Stewart is steadily in the running for a starting spot at the X wide receiver postion, while Johnson and Nolan are currently seen as high-end rotational players during their first season.
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A few of the most painful misses on the recruiting trail, all from within the state of Texas.
While Texas has found success on the recruiting trail as of late, there were some painful misses on in-state players over the last several cycles. Continue reading “10 of Texas’ biggest recruiting misses over the last several cycles”
Will the former 5-Star recruit reignite Texas A&M’s passing attack?
Going into the 2022 football season, Aggies Wire will look at each scholarship player listed on the Texas A&M roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Jimbo Fisher this season.
Evan Stewart is entering his true freshman season at the wide receiver position for Texas A&M, coming in as one of the most promising skill position players to commit to the Aggies in recent memory, with high expectations coming his way despite his inexperience at the collegiate level. Stewart’s journey to Aggieland truly began after his de-commitment from Texas became official on March 21, 2021, while subsequently visiting the Aggies three times after, with his commitment coming late in the fall on November 29th.
Stewart played high school football at Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas, and during his 2020 junior season, recorded 46 receptions for 913 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns on the year. In his shortened 2021 season in only three games, he tallied 22 receptions for 487 yards and 3 touchdowns and was named to the 2022 Under Armour All-American team. While also participating and equally excelling in track and field, Stewart won a gold medal in the 4×400 relay and won the Texas 5A long jump title during his junior year, and a silver medal in the triple jump.
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170lbs
Class in 2022: 5-Star player ranking, 4th ranked player in Texas, 2nd ranked wide receiver prospect in the country
Evan Stewart is currently projected as the backup/potential starter at the X receiver position in the wide receiver rotation for Texas A&M’s pro-style offense, led by head coach Jimbo Fisher, and offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey. Stewart will compete for the starting X spot during summer and fall camp against the veteran wide receiver, Jalen Preston (Redshirt Senior). From a scouting perspective, he is well proportioned from a size and durability outlook standing at 5-11, 170lbs, with room to add healthy weight down the line. Stewart’s speed and elite athleticism stand out the most while he displays natural ability as a wide receiver. His efficient route running is paired with excellent body control, and he’s one the best ball trackers in the class, paired with consistently fluid ball adjustment skills and jumping ability at the catch point. Displays impressive twitchiness off the line of scrimmage, with the vertical speed to beat any defender deep, but also excels in the open field by way of his lateral quickness and agility, and pure toughness as he weaves his way through defenders.
Bottom line, This kid has it. Evan Stewart has the chance to be a day one superstar with one of the highest ceilings I’ve seen from a wide receiver prospect in some time. Whoever the quarterback will be for the Aggies going into the 2022 season collectively know one thing to be true, which is that Stewart will raise his level of play week to week, and game to game. Get your popcorn ready, Aggies.
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— 𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓷 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓽 (@0fficial_evan) April 11, 2022
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— 𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓷 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓽 (@0fficial_evan) March 12, 2022
Use ’em if you got ’em: Four potential Aggie true freshmen standouts
The Texas A&M Football program has been absolutely obliterating the recruiting trail during the last two cycles, strategically plotting out their dominance since Jimbo Fisher touched ground in College Station, Texas in December of 2017. Since then, the program has steadily climbed the recruiting ranks year by year, signing a handful of 5-star talents each season, culminating in what is currently seen as the greatest recruiting class in not only program history, but the greatest of any recruiting class to date.
Now, as any recruiting nerd will tell you, on paper, these classes are something to be very excited about, but in order for them to hold up over time, the highly ranked players they contain must produce on the gridiron, with a select few contributing as soon as they step on the field for the first time. For the upcoming 2022 season, here are the four true freshmen who have a chance to compete for snaps right away:
1. Evan Stewart (Wide Receiver): As one of the top ranked WRs and athletes in the 2022 class, Stewart made his name known to Aggie fans everywhere during the spring game, catching 7 passes for 75 yards, while making a number of eye popping plays throughout the game. At 6’1″, 175, Stewart is a leaner wide receiver, but as a former track star, has the speed and athleticism to get on top of defenders and separate at a high rate, becoming an instant deep threat on any play.
2. Anthony Lucas (Defensive End): With Michael Clemons, DeMarvin Leal, and Jayden Peevy all leaving for the NFL, Lucas, who stands at 6’5″, 275 has the chance to make an immediate impact off the edge in multiple fronts, quickly showing his ability in the spring game, accounting for 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss. With incredible burst for his size, accompanied by great hand use and pad level, Lucas has the chance to become a scary option off the edge from the start.
3. Walter Nolan (Defensive Line): As the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class, Nolan has a chance to join the defensive rotation sooner than later. At 6’5″, 300 pounds, Nolan has the size to push the pocket with speed to power paired with strong hands while providing a violent disposition defensively. With the defensive line facing departures, a “youth movement” of sorts may take shape with other players such as Lebbeus Overton, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Anthony Lucas and Shemar Stewart, and Nolan has the opportunity to lead that group in snaps from day 1.
4. Chris Marshall (Wide Receiver): Is is just me, or is Chris Marshall the most underrated player in the class? with Caleb Chapman entering the transfer portal, Size on the boundary is sorely needed for the Aggies, and with Marshall standing at 6’4″, 200 pounds, he has the the speed, athleticism, and catch radius to become a nightmare matchup for defensive backs straight out of the chute.
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