Tag: Layden Robinson

‘You flip the pages by getting back to work.’ Layden Robinson and Fadil Diggs turn the page on Alabama loss, look ahead to facing Tennessee

Layden Robinson and Fadil Diggs spoke to the media on Monday as a preview toward Texas A&M’s next opponent in Tennessee.

There’s no time for Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) to sulk in their 26-20 loss last week, as they head to Knoxville for a monumental matchup with No. 19 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC).

The Aggies’ loss to Alabama handed them their first defeat in conference play, but most importantly, it shed light on glaring areas for the team to address. Among them was the need for the offensive line to execute much better, alongside better game management from none other than head coach Jimbo Fisher.

What better way to turn things around than executing a game plan against a formidable foe in the Vols? The all-time series between these programs is tied 2-2, with the Aggies holding a two-game win streak since entering the SEC. A&M beat Tennessee 45-38 in double overtime in 2016 at Kyle Field, followed up by a 34-13 road win at Rocky Top in 2020.

Veterans Layden Robinson and Fadil Diggs took to the podium on Monday to look ahead to their next opponent. Both echoed that while the loss to Alabama stings, the season is far from over. Better yet, a win on the road against the Vols could be the perfect remedy to steer the season back on track.

Below are Layden Robinson and Fadil Diggs’ full press conferences ahead of facing Tennessee, as well as notable takeaways from their time at the podium.

‘This loss will make us stronger, we will bounce back,’ Demani Richardson and Layden Robinson reflect on Week 2 defeat to Miami

Demani Richardson and Layden Robinson were confident that Texas A&M will bounce back stronger following their 48-33 loss to Miami.

Every college football team gets handed a humbling loss, and No. 23 Texas A&M (1-1) endured its own following their 48-33 defeat to Miami (2-0) in Week 2.

In a game where the Aggies relinquished their early momentum, the Hurricanes’ pursuit of revenge proved to be too much for Texas A&M to counter. As quarterback Tyler Van Dyke finished 21/30 for 374 yards and five touchdowns, it underscored the porous play from the Aggies secondary.

On a multitude of occasions, Texas A&M’s backend unit displayed poor performance when tackling in the open field. That was coupled with a curious lack of pressure from the Aggies defensive front, as it felt like Van Dyke had long stretches to make plays comfortably in the pocket.

Despite 336 passing yards and two touchdowns from Conner Weigman, Texas A&M’s offense wasn’t enough to claw back from a double-digit deficit. After the loss, Demani Richardson and Layden Robinson spoke to the media to echo their confidence in this team to bounce back.

Below are Richardson and Robinson’s full postgame press conferences, as well as key highlights from their time speaking to the media.

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.

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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Six Aggie football players named to the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team

Ahead of Texas A&M’s 2023 Sept. 2 season opener, six Aggie football players have made the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team.

Texas A&M’s 2023 Sept. 2 season opener vs. New Mexico is less than two weeks away. After a very successful fall camp with several key storylines coming out of their new luxurious Coolidge Football Performance Center, the quarterback battle between sophomore Conner Weigman and veteran Max Johnson has continued to dominate the headlines, but no worries; an answer is upon us.

Entering the 2023 campaign, the Aggies roster is scattered with elite talent and proven experience, leading to six Texas A&M players being selected to the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team, including wide receiver Ainias Smith, punter Nik Constantinou, strong safety Demani Richardson, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, wide receiver Evan Stewart, and right guard Layden Robinson. Here is each player’s respective team selection

  • Ainias Smith: first-team all-purpose player, second-team return specialist, and third-team wide receiver
  • Nik Constantinou: second-team punter 
  • Demani Richardson: second-team defensive back 
  • McKinnley Jackson: second-team defensive tackle
  • Evan Stewart: second-team wide receiver 
  • Layden Robinson: third-team offensive lineman

All six players, especially the wide receiver duo of Smith and Stewart, will be depended on to steer the ship late in games ultimately. At the same time, McKinnley Jackson’s vast experience in the defensive trenches and Demani Richardson’s leadership in the defensive backfield will ultimately set the tone for a deep and talented unit looking to take the next step 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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Texas A&M’s Offensive line depth resembling shades of 2020’s elite unit

Texas A&M’s 2023 O-line returns all five starters from last season, including some highly versatile depth at all five positions.

Earlier this week, Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher and Aggies starting left tackle Trey Zuhn took a multitude of questions from the local media before their eleventh practice of fall camp, and from this writer’s point of view, both Fisher and Zuhn’s beaming confidence regarding the progress the offensive line has made this offseason provides much-needed context with just two weeks before the Sept. 2 season opener.

For Fisher’s talented yet unproven roster to accomplish any of their lofty goals this season, it begins and ends in the trenches. For the first time since the memorable 2020 9-1 campaign, they might have the horses to compete, and the depth behind the starting five is a big reason why.

Fisher, who has consistently praised the versatility of freshman tackle Chase Bisontis and redshirt freshman guard/center Mark Nabou threw out another intriguing name from his list, as former tight end and current redshirt sophomore tackle Dametreous Crownover, who has continued to stand out this fall as yet another versatile depth piece.

“Chase Bisontis is doing a great job,” Fisher stated. “Dametrious Crownover is having a phenomenal camp. … Mark Nabou has really become a jack of all trades. He is playing center, guard and tackle. He is playing and playing well.”

In a snapshot view, the Aggie’s complete O-line, both starters and backups, is presently constructed as follows:

  • Left tackle: (RS) Trey Zuhn III. Backup: (FR)  Chase Bisontis
  • Left guard: (S) Kam Dewberry. Backup: (RS JR) Aki Ogunbiyi
  • Center: (JR) Bryce Foster. Backup: (RS FR) Mark Nabou
  • Right guard: (RS SR) Layden Robinson. Backup: (JR) Jordan Spacojevic-Moko
  • Right tackle (Jr) Reuben Fatheree II. Backup: (RS SO) Dametrious Crownover

The starting five is more than set, as Foster, Robinson, and Fatheree will hopefully handle the right side for all 12 (hopefully more) games this season, barring injury. Yes, injury is just an annoying part of the position, especially for the Aggies last season, so that versatility mentioned above, a bulk of the O-lineman has shown this month, will surely come in handy late in SEC play.

“We do it in practice all the time,” Fisher stated. “You are trying to get your best five guys across the board and where each guy can be to get your best five.”

In contrast, Kam Dewberry’s impressive play in the latter half of last season, especially his tape against Alabama, has more than solidified his spot at left guard.

Trey Zuhn, the most vital O-line member, was a sight for sore eyes during Monday’s presser, letting us all know that his previous injuries that hindered development have ceased to become a lingering issue this summer.

“Physically, right now, I’m at 110%. I’m stronger than ever. I’m faster than ever. During the season. I had a couple of nicks and knacks that forced me to miss spring ball, but right now, I’m ready to roll.”

Most importantly, the job of an offensive lineman is to move the body in front of them, something we haven’t seen from the Aggies O-line at a consistent pace since the 2020 season, but from top to bottom, freshman to senior, starter to backup, and according to Zuhn, the hog mollies have been doing just that all fall.

“Having everybody back this fall camp has been great. We’re moving guys around a lot because we want as many guys to play as possible.”

If anything, Fisher has been chasing the dream of recreating the 2020 offensive line for the last two seasons that returned 52 out of 65 career starts, including blue-chip guard Kenyon Green, who is now a starter for the Houston Texans.

So, how close is he to achieving that goal this season? We’ll have to wait and see till the games begin, but if continuity and a lack of reserve talent were an issue in 2022, the progress made by both the starters and depth pieces is a good sign that we might be calling the O-line the predominant strength on offense 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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Aggies offensive line group ranked second-best in the state of Texas

With a handful of starters returning from 2022, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football recently labeled the Aggies O-line as the second best unit in the state of Texas.

Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher proclaimed that the unit in the trenches would be the team’s strength in 2023, and at least one outlet is singing the same tune.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football recently ranked the best offensive line groups in the state for the 2023 season, and the Maroon and White landed in second place within the Lone Star State. The top five played out as follows:

1. Texas Longhorns
2. Texas A&M Aggies
3. Baylor Bears
4. TCU Horned Frogs
5. Texas Tech Raiders

The following teams rounded out the best of the rest in the Lone Star State:

6. SMU Mustangs
7. UTSA Road Runners
8. Houston Cougars
9. North Texas Mean Green
10. UTEP Miners
11. Rice Owls
12. Texas State Bobcats
13. Sam Houston Bearkats

DCTF placed the Aggies just behind the Longhorns when it came to their recruiting prowess, although it’s been well-noted that few can compete with Texas A&M when it comes to recruiting in the trenches. With a unit that includes C Bryce Foster, OG Layden Robinson, OG Kam Dewberry, and OT Reuben Fatheree II, the key will be remaining healthy for the 2023 campaign according to Mike Craven:

No team in the Lone Star State outside of the Longhorns recruit the offensive line better than the Aggies. The interior of the offensive line should be stout, especially if Foster stays healthy. The Aggies were a different unit with him struggling with injuries and illness throughout 2022.

He’ll be flanked by two potential NFL players at guard in Robinson and Dewberry. The only real question marks are on the outside, but Fatheree was solid as a freshman two years ago and Zuhn has plenty of potential. Expect a step forward from this group in 2023.

The O-line boasts tremendous upside so long as they remain healthy, but let’s be clear in reiterating that the unit has their work cut out for them if they truly want to become elite. If you turn back the clock to 2022, you’ll recall that this group finished with a dull 50.0 pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus, while allowing an average of 2.3 sacks per contest.

Many of those hurdles were a result of injuries, but inexperience was also a key culprit. Having Foster back in the fold should provide a huge boon, as he looks to return to his freshman-year caliber of play when he led all true freshman centers with a 73.0 run-blocking grade per PFF. Added depth in the form of transfers Finn Dirstine and Derek Ferraro, as well as the arrival of incoming freshman Chase Bisontis, should help on the depth front.

With this group among the country’s leaders in returning production, the Aggies must see the experience and rapport within this group translate to strong production on the field. Only then can they stake the claim of being not only among the best in the Lone Star State but potentially in all of 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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Texas A&M Football 2023 Position Preview: Offensive line; An elite unit if healthy

Texas A&M’s offensive line has the makings of an elite group, but the key will be keeping this unit healthy for the long haul of the 2023 campaign.

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.

Fisher has spoken at length about the offensive line being equipped to be one of the leading strengths of the roster, and outlets such as Pro Football Focus have echoed that confidence by grading them as a top-10 unit. While the upside is there, the key is that this unit stays healthy for the long haul of the 2023 campaign.

Returning production:  Senior guard Layden Robinson returns after logging 754 snaps last season, which included four sacks allowed, 11 QB hits allowed, and 20 QB hurries surrendered. Still, according to PFF, his best performance came during the 2021 season, in which his 85.0 run-blocking grade was a top-10 mark among Power Five guards.

Reuben Fatheree II recorded 785 snaps last season, allowing four sacks, six QB hits, and eight QB hurries in 2022. Fatheree will enter his third season as the starting right tackle and posted a 77.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2022, which marked a top-10 grade among SEC tackles.

Trey Zuhn III returns for his sophomore season to protect the blindside, as he earned a 69.3 grade last year as a redshirt freshman. Another returning sophomore who will join him is Kam Dewberry, who will start at left guard after earning a 63.4 PFF grade in 2022.

The only official 2022 starter that isn’t returning is center Bryce Foster, and that’s due to him having missed eight games last season due to a knee injury. However, he led all true freshman centers with a 73.0 run-blocking grade at PFF in the season prior.

Mark Nabou returns after logging just 77 snaps in 2022 (50 pass protection, 27 run protection) with an overall 67.4 PPF offensive grade. He should command more snaps and an increased role in 2023.

Departures:  PJ Williams is among the departures after appearing in one game for the Aggies in 2022. Joining him is center Matthew Wyckoff, who entered the transfer portal and subsequently joined Cal back in May.

Final Observation:  Injuries and inexperience were factors in the unit’s underwhelming performance in 2022, which showed in the numbers. Texas A&M finished with a dull 50.0 pass-blocking grade and an overall 53.1 passing grade, per PFF. But as long as they stay healthy, it’s hard to argue against the upside and continuity this unit has upfront relative to other positions on the roster.

Much like the team’s overall goal, the O-line must back up what looks like an elite unit on paper. But with a year under the belts of most of these starters, and with some added depth in transfer Finn Dirstine, Derek Ferraro, and the likes of incoming freshman Chase Bisontis, it’s possible this unit becomes of the strengths of the Aggies 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 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.

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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PFF ranks Texas A&M’s 2023 offensive line as a top-10 unit

PFF ranked the best offensive lines entering the 2023 season, and Texas A&M found themselves firmly within the top-10 rankings.

Texas A&M’s 2022 season was marred by a combination of inexperience, subpar play, and injuries, and the offensive line was no exception to this reality. However, the looming 2023 season offers a fresh slate with heightened expectations.

Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus ranked the best offensive lines entering the 2023 season, and with a handful of experienced returners from the last few seasons, the Aggies found themselves firmly within the top 10 rankings. Now, even the most loyal Texas A&M fan should understand that while the praise and confidence in this unit is welcomed, this unit still carries some notable question marks given last year’s struggles.

According to Football Outsiders, the Aggies’ offensive line ranked 64th in sack rate (6.3%) and 101st in run stuff rate (19.9%) in 2022, which measures the percentage of carries by running backs that are stopped at or before the line of scrimmage. Injuries and inexperience played an influential role in the unit’s underwhelming performance and it showed in the numbers. Texas A&M finished with a dull 50.0 pass-blocking grade and an overall 53.1 passing grade, per PFF.

However, the hope is that the injury bug does not rear its ugly head once more in 2023, and coupled with the fact that last year’s trials gives this unit a bevy of experience to learn from, it does set them up nicely to bounce back. To aid in those efforts, the Aggies have added some depth up front after landing former Boston College lineman Finn Dirstine.

Additionally, as just one of eight FBS programs set to return all five starters, the offensive line could have the benefit of affinity in comparison to other programs, which seek to bolster their front units via the transfer portal.

Below is the breakdown of how every program that finished in Chadwick’s top 10 offensive line rankings stacks up against each other, based on projected starters as well as returners from the 2022 campaign.