Tag: Kolinu’u Faaiu

Texas A&M’s Week 2 depth chart has been released ahead of facing McNeese State

Here is what Texas A&M’s Week 2 depth chart looks like

After falling to Notre Dame 23-13 in prime time to open the 2024 season, Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko are focused on film, practice, and motivation to fix the issues that plagued the program in Week 1.

Starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s career-low performance took most of the oxygen out of any positives, though few and far between, that the Aggies made on Saturday night. In his 10th career start after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season due to injury, Weigman was just plain off, throwing for just 100 yards and two interceptions.

Vowing to earn back the fanbase’s trust after speaking with the media this week, the redshirt sophomore knows that fixing his footwork issues will only increase his accuracy. However, after most of his receivers had issues gaining separation in their routes, will Elko shape up the Week 2 depth chart?

Released earlier this week, Texas A&M’s updated depth chart ahead of taking on McNeese State this weekend showed little change on offense and defense, outside of junior Koli Faaiu taking over as the team’s starting center after Mark Nabou was lost for the season due to a lower-body injury.

However, I do expect freshman athlete Terry Bussey to be featured more in the offense this weekend after taking 12 snaps at wide receiver in the opener. His elite athleticism and impressive speed should be utilized more outside of returning kicks and punts.

Texas A&M will host McNeese 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 O-line is playing with much needed intensity during fall camp

Texas A&M’s offensive line is looking more confident and aggressive this fall

Suppose you can take anything away from the short practice clips many of us post from Texas A&M’s second week of fall practice. In that case, the offensive line, under a microscope after the unit’s poor performance during the 2023 season, has begun to practice with much-needed intensity.

Under new O-line coach Adam Cushing, new additions combined with sophomore OL Chase Bisontis’s move to guard after spending the entirety of the 2023 season at right tackle have already improved the line, while starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III’s reliability provides Cushing plenty to work with.

This week, thanks to GigEm247’s Carter Karels for the videos, several presumed starters, including Zuhn, Bisontis, and former Kansas guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, are practicing with pure aggression on concentration while a one-on-one battle between Bisontis and Zuhn had Adam Cushing shouting in excitement.

Right now, this is how Texas A&M’s starting offensive line could shake out at the end of fall camp:

  • Left tackle: Trey Zuhn III
  • Left guard: Ar’maj Reed-Adams
  • Center: Mark Nabou
  • Right guard: Chase Bisontis
  • Right tackle: Reuben Fatheree II

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Mike Elko provides several key offensive line updates ahead to Texas A&M’s fall camp

Chase Bisontis is officially switching to guard

The 2024 season is just weeks away, and in just a month, Mike Elko’s inaugural season with Texas A&M will kick off the season against Notre Dame inside a packed Kyle Field on Saturday, August 31.

On Tuesday, Elko took questions from the local media in College Station to officially open up the fall practice schedule, and thanks to the journalists in the room, the former Duke head coach provided key updates regarding nearly every position group, including the offensive line.

Over the years, it has become a proven fact that every college football team’s offense is only as good as its O-line, providing the quarterback time to scan the field and holes in the running game to move the ball down the field. For Texas A&M, the trenches were a disaster during former HC Jimbo Fisher’s final season at the helm.

This offseason, new additions combined with nearly every 2023 starter returning gave O-line coach Adam Cushing plenty to work with. According to Elko, this group may not be a predominant strength, but they have steadily improved.

“From where we were to where we are, it would be hard to stand here in front of you and tell you it’s a strength. We’ve made a lot of strides and really improved.”

“It will be significantly better than it was in the spring.”

While left tackle Trey Zuhn III and, likely, former Kansas OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams will start at left tackle and left guard, respectfully, nearly every other position is still up for grabs, including the center position. Elko noted that while Mark Nabou and former Utah OL Kolinu’u Faaiu are the primary competitors, junior Kam Dewberry is reportedly in the mix.

According to Elko, sophomore Chase Bisontis will officially slide into guard after starting nearly every game at right tackle this season.

“Chase (Bisontis) has been a guard all the way. He has never left guard. We feel that’s the right spot for him.”

“He has been a guard since day one with us.”

Elko’s quote may worry some Aggie fans, but the truth is that improvement from where this group was last year should more than help Collin Klein’s offense thrive with Conner Weigman under center.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

MSU Football makes Top-5 for 3-star OG Kolinu’u Faaiu

3-star OG Kolinu’u Faaiu has placed Michigan State in his top-5 for recruiting.

We are now knee-deep in the ‘Top-X’ period of the recruiting season, with players around the country putting out their final lists of schools for their recruiting processes. One of these players, 2021 3-star OG Kolinu’u Faaiu out of North Creek High School in Bothell, Washington, has placed MSU Football in his final Top-5 for his own recruitment.

Kolinu’u, or Koli as his name is listed on 247Sports, is yet another massive offensive line target for Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker and offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic. Faaiu is 6’4″, 315-pounds, which would make him a great addition to the ‘Juice Squad’ as the Spartans’ offensive line is affectionately referred by.

Faaiu is the No. 12 ranked plyaer in Washington and the No. 28 ranked offensive guard in the 2021 class.

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