Tag: Fadil Diggs

Eleven Aggie football players named to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist

Texas A&M football has no shortage of veteran leadership as eleven players were named to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist.

A successful 2023 season for Texas A&M would not only mark a rebound for this football program, but it could also serve as a jolt for a handful of seniors preparing to make a leap to the NFL in the future.

The 11th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl released its watchlist ahead of the 2024 exhibition in Mobile, Alabama. The Reese’s Senior Bowl is regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and, for some, the first stage in the NFL Draft process.

Their scouting team has been hard at work in identifying the top-tier prospects at every level of college football for the 2024 NFL Draft, and identifying this year’s seniors is among the key staples of the evaluation process. As a reminder, the list does not include many true or redshirt juniors who could become eligible as of December 2023 (or earlier) graduates.

At first glance, the Maroon and White were well-represented, with 11 individuals highlighted. The full list of Aggie football players who landed on the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist is as follows:

  • TE Max Wright
  • WR Ainias Smith
  • LB Chris Russell
  • OL Layden Robinson
  • DB Demani Richardson
  • WR Moose Muhammad III
  • DL McKinnley Jackson
  • DB Tony Grimes
  • DL Fadil Diggs
  • DB Josh DeBerry
  • LB Edgerrin Cooper

Texas A&M has no shortage of seniors with a practical chance of heading to Mobile for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. While the Aggies have a handful of sophomores projected as starters, many from their historic 2022 recruiting class, the Maroon and White will continue to lean on veterans at key positions.

Cooper and Russell are expected to be leaders of a linebacker unit with questionable depth. In contrast, Richardson is expected to mentor a secondary that could boast a potential breakout star in Bryce Anderson. Smith’s versatility speaks for itself, and it’s hard to imagine Bobby Petrino’s offense running smoothly without the wideout’s impact.

With one last ride on the football field around the corner, success in the fall could prove to be a stepping stone for many of these names, taking the leap to the next level in 2024.

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Texas A&M 2023 college football season countdown: No. 10 Fadil Diggs

After tallying five sacks and three tackles for loss last year, Fadil Diggs will be tasked with taking charge on the pass rush front for 2023.

Fear not, Aggie fans, meaningful college football is just around the corner, with the start of the 2023 season under two weeks away! Here at Aggies Wire, we’ll be counting down by looking at each Texas A&M football player that corresponds to the number of days left till the start of the football season.

With 10 days until kickoff, we’re looking at No. 10 for the Maroon and White: junior defensive lineman Fadil Diggs.

Diggs is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he was arguably the Aggies’ best pass rusher, despite being limited to eight contests. The junior tallied five sacks and three tackles for loss alongside a 68.7 overall defense grade per Pro Football Focus. Prior to his shortened 2022 season, he played in all 12 games the year prior, though six came as a backup. He ended 2021 with five pressures and six tackles per PFF on 142 snaps.

The junior possesses a nice first step off the line for someone with his length, and he’s proven effective at chasing down plays or getting deep into the backfield. He’s also proven adept at keeping blockers at bay due to his hand-eye coordination.

Diggs appeared to reclaim his starting role in the spring and appeared relatively removed from his injury during the Maroon and White game. He only logged one stop in the exhibition, but coming into the new season healthy is a significant milestone.

Looking ahead to 2023 Diggs will be tasked with taking charge on the pass rush front. The junior made tremendous strides as a playmaker toward the end of his 2022 season, but he’ll need to free himself a bit more to open up opportunities. That hinges on Diggs using his hands and other moves in his arsenal to help shed and escape opposing linemen. Based on what we’ve seen throughout spring and fall camp, the junior is on a strong trajectory toward reaching that goal.

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 Football 2023 Position Preview: Defensive line; Talented group ready to take a leap

With a year under their belt, the Texas A&M’s defensive line should be equipped to take a leap following their baptism-by-fire campaign in 2022.

Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season in just under two months, 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.

The Aggies’ defensive line has no shortage of returning four and five-star talent that jumps off the page. But the youth and inexperience proved to be an obstacle last season, and it showed in the numbers. However, with a year under their belt, this assortment of players should be equipped to leap following their baptism-by-fire campaign in 2022.

Returning production:  Sophomore Shemar Stewart returns after having played in all 12 games last year while starting in six. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. McKinnley Jackson is back at nose tackle after being named defensive MVP for the Aggies in 2022. He appeared in eight games for the Maroon and White.

Former five-star recruit Shemar Turner is back after having started in 11 games in 2022, tallying 32 tackles, including 4.5 for loss. Walter Nolen appears set for a breakout campaign in 2023, having received the Defensive Top Newcomer award in 2022. Fadil Diggs returns after being the Aggies’ best pass rusher last year, tallying three sacks and five tackles for loss before going down eight games into the season.

Rounding out the depth are senior Isaiah Raikes, redshirt junior Albert Regis, sophomores LT Overton, Enai White, and Malick Sylla, redshirt freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, and five-star true freshman D.J. Hicks.

Departures: Tunmise Adeleye departed after transferring to Michigan State during the offseason. Texas A&M also lost true freshman Anthony Lucas to the transfer portal. Lucas appeared in eight games last season before transferring to USC.

Final Observation: There’s no shortage of talent upfront, but it’s key to acknowledge the struggles of last season. The Aggies gave up 208.8 yards rushing per game and managed just 19 sacks in 2022, which means there’s plenty of work to be done when it comes to translating that level of talent into production on the field.

Still, this is a unit that boasts an ideal combination of talent with strong upside, with a few experienced veterans helping lead the group. This unit is among those that fans should temper their expectations, at least to start the season. But if they begin to translate their potential onto the field, it will only be a matter of time before Jimbo Fisher’s belief, in that the strength of this team lies in the trenches, becomes a reality.

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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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.

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How to Watch: 2023 Texas A&M SEC Media Days event

Jimbo and company will be the SEC Media days in Nashville, Tennessee to answer any and all questions

It seems like yesterday that the Aggies were coming off a 5-7 season with no bowl game and losing the No.1 Linebacker for the second consecutive season. But it’s summertime now, and Jimbo has gone from everyone looking to find the best way to buy out this contract to possibly a top-10 recruiting class for 2024.

After an interesting transfer period where the Aggies dominated social media with the storyline that everything was falling apart in Bryan/College Station. However, with Bobby Petrino on board calling plays, a few big weeks of recruiting, and the release of the 2024 schedule, there will be plenty to talk about in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Grand Hyatt.

Representing Texas A&M in front of the media will be Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, wide receiver Ainias Smith, defensive end Fadil Diggs, and defensive tackle McKinney Jackson.

HOW TO WATCH

Time: Approx. 1:45 p.m. CT on Monday in Nashville

TV: SEC Network

Live stream: SEC Network+

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 Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

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Texas A&M announces three player representatives for SEC media days 2023

Three players will join Texas A&M football head coach Jimbo Fisher at this year’s SEC media days in Nashville.

The Southeastern Conference will hold its annual SEC media days next week at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and three Texas A&M football players will join in on the festivities.

Wide receiver Ainias Smith, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, and defensive end Fadil Diggs will represent the Maroon and White at the 2023 SEC Media Days. The three will join Aggie football head coach Jimbo Fisher, who is scheduled to speak on the first day. LSU‘s Brian Kelly and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz are among the other coaches joining Fisher in speaking on Day 1.

Georgia‘s Kirby Smart, Auburn‘s Hugh Freeze, Alabama‘s Nick Saban, Arkansas‘ Sam Pittman, Florida‘s Billy Napier, and Tennessee‘s Josh Heupel are among the other coaches with dedicated speaking times.

Smith, Jackson, and Diggs will represent the Maroon and White as established veterans of the football team and prior team captains as well. Diggs led the Aggies in sacks (3) last season while Jackson’s return should give Texas A&M a jolt of depth upfront. Smith, who is returning for a fifth year following a season-ending injury against Arkansas in 2022, caps off a trio of talented receivers alongside Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III.

The 2023 SEC media days will run from Monday, July 17 through Thursday, July 20. Preseason All-SEC teams selected by the media at SEC Media Days will be announced following the event on the morning of July 21. Media Days will kick off Monday morning at 11:30 am CT with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey first on the speaking 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 Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Defensive line position breakdown

Texas A&M will return a talented front seven next season, and the position group is shaping up to be an absolute terror for the rest of the SEC.

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, and up next is taking a look at the front seven for the Maroon and White.

While a large part of the Aggies’ 2022 regular season woes were a result of inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball, the defense managed to hold up its end of the bargain. Texas A&M finished last season with an average of 21.2 points per game surrendered to their opponents, which ranked 25th in the nation.

Even amid a year of injuries, suspensions, and inexperience from younger players, The Aggies’ front seven flashed their potential in 2022 as a dominant force to come in the SEC. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone after Jimbo Fisher pulled in a historic recruiting class, but what would make foes worried is that this position group still has so much potential heading into next season.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current defensive line group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

  • DE – Sophomore Shemar Stewart (12 games) / Sophomore LT Overton (11 games)
  • NT – Senior McKinnley Jackson (8 games) / Senior Isaiah Raikes (12 games) / Redshirt Sophomore Albert Regis (11 games)
  • DT – Junior Shemar Turner (11 games) / Sophomore Walter Nolen (10 games) / Redshirt Freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
  • EDGE – Redshirt Junior Fadil Diggs (8 games) / Sophomore Enai White (7 games) / Sophomore Malick Sylla (12 games)

Key thoughts and predictions:

That historic 2022 recruiting class was headlined by the likes of No. 1 defensive lineman Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart, L.T. Overton, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. All those aforementioned names flashed their upside a season ago, but now with a year of experience in their back pocket, it sets up this defensive line group to absolutely roll over their opponents next season.

It won’t happen overnight, and there is plenty of work and refinement needed between spring ball and Week 1, but this projected starting lineup should have Aggie fans ecstatic for the fall.

We’ll see how the final depth chart shakes out after spring practices, but a likely starting lineup could be Fadil Diggs on the edge, with McKinnley Jackson, Stewart and either Nolen or Shemar Turner rounding out the front four.

Don’t let the outside noise and talking heads get you too worked up by singling out A&M’s offense. It would be negligent to see what’s brewing on the defensive line for the Maroon and White in 2023. It’s shaping up to be a beautiful sight for the Aggie faithful, and an absolute terror for the rest of the SEC.

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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Head coach Jimbo Fisher’s press conference after Aggies’ loss to South Carolina

Head coach Jimbo Fisher’s press conference after the Aggies’ loss to South Carolina

Texas A&M dropped its third game in a row after falling to the South Carolina Gamecocks 30-24 on Saturday night while reaching a dreadful 3-4 record, with a 1-3 mark in the SEC.

Texas A&M trailed from start to finish, as the Gamecocks burst out to a 17-0 lead after 5 minutes played, yet the Aggies mounted a short comeback to cut into the deficit after two Randy Bond field goals, and a Haynes King touchdown pass to tight end Max Wright (plus the two-point conversion) with 2:00 minutes left in the 2nd quarter making it 17-14 at the half.

In the second half, the Aggies held the momentum edge, yet it seemed that the team didn’t get the message, as both sides stalled offensively until an 18-yard touchdown run by Gamecocks running back Marshawn Lloyd with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. However, Texas A&M’s stout defense stepped up once again as Edge Fadil Diggs sack-fumbled quarterback Spencer Rattler which eventually set up a 15-yard Devon Achane rushing touchdown making it 24-21 going into the 4th quarter.

With a chance to take the lead after another defensive stop, quarterback Haynes King, who had already taken quite the beating due to the offensive line’s horrendous play throughout the night, hurt his shoulder which vaulted freshman Conner Weigman into the starting spot, who completed 8-15 for 91 yards on the night but did not have time in the pocket to make the throws when it mattered most.

After a long South Carolina offensive drive, Marshawn Lloyd scampered in for his second rushing touchdown on the night, and after a Randy bond field goal and a last-second hail mary attempt by the Aggies after recovering the onside kick, the game was over, and the Bonham Trophy will be making its way to Columbia, South Carolina.

With that, here are the most notable quotes from head coach Jimbo Fisher, Layden Robinson, and Fadil Diggs.

Watch: Jimbo Fisher’s press conference after Aggies’ loss to Alabama

Watch: Head coach Jimbo Fisher spoke after Texas A&M fell to Alabama 24-20

I’ve seen them win, I’ve seen them lose, but I’ve never (or at least rarely) seen them quit, and after the Aggies fell to the No.1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 24-20 on Saturday night, that same feeling came over me after the shock of almost pulling off the upset in the final seconds eventually started to wear off.

Going into the matchup, Texas A&M was a -24 point underdog after coming off of their embarrassing 42-24 loss to Mississippi State a week prior, as the undefeated Crimson Tide, and practically the entire sports media landscape smelled blood in the water before the Aggies could even make their case.

Quarterback Haynes King made his third start of the season taking over for the injured Max Johnson while throwing for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in what was his toughest performance to date, with two of his scores coming off of two of the four Alabama turnovers, spotting the Aggies 17 out of the 20 points on the night.

Freshman wide receiver Evan Stewart recorded his first 100-yard receiving game while snagging an incredible sideline catch in the 4th quarter, while freshman tight end Donovan Green notched his first career touchdown catch in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14, while sophomore wideout Moose Muhammad continued his streak of stellar play recording 6 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.

The story of the night and the silver lining for the team? The defense was stellar, tough, resilient, and most of all showed impressive consistency. As defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin implemented the 4-man front against the Tide, the Aggies accounted for 4 sacks on the night, with Sophomore Fadil Diggs accounting for 2 sacks on his own.

After the loss, head coach Jimbo Fisher, Layden Robinson, and Fadil Diggs spoke to the media, and courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics, here is what they had to say:

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Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

Texas A&M Player’s Press Conference: Week 6 quotes

Texas A&M Player’s press conference: Week 6 quotes

Week 5 of the 2022 college football season is in the books and Texas A&M is now facing the beast that is the 5-0 Alabama Crimson Tide, who are back at No.1 in both the AP and USA TODAY Coaches poll after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon.

On the other side, the Aggies fell to 3-2 after their disappointing 42-24 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville, continuing to show that their problems on offense are far from fixed, or even slightly mended, while youth and scheme issues on defense began to show its colors in the second half as the Bulldogs proceeded to dominate the Aggies in all three phases of the game.

On Monday, head coach Jimbo Fisher, along with a group of key players spoke to the local media just two days removed from the loss, explaining what went wrong, and previewing their highly publicized primetime matchup with Alabama.

Here are the most notable quotes from Fadil Diggs, Max Wright, and Antonio Johnson during Monday’s week 6 press conference.