Tag: McKinnley Jackson

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson has been named to the Lombardi Award preseason watch list

Deservedly so, Texas A&M senior defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson has been named to the Lombardi Award preseason watch list.

Texas A&M’s defensive leader for the pivotal 2023 season, senior defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson (shared with safety Demani Richardson), has already received plenty of preseason recognition. As of Tuesday, he has now been named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List by the Rotary Club of Houston.

Here is the official description of the award provided by the Rotary Club of Houston:

The Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability.

Last season, Jackson was one of the few consistent players during an otherwise disappointing campaign, recording 37 total tackles, including seven for loss, to go along with two sacks and one fumble recovery. In 389 defensive snaps in 2022, he registered 219 as a run defender and 169 in pass rush snaps.

Jackson’s experience across the defensive line will continue to aid the development of sophomore defensive tackle Walter Nolen. At the same time, the junior tandem of Shemar Turner and Fadil Diggs should finally improve the Aggie’s pass rush, which is littered with blue-chip talent, especially key rotational defensive linemen Shemar Stewart and LT Overton.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson logged an impressive 70.1 overall defensive grade, which included a 71.8 run defense grade and a 68.9 pass rush grade.

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson named to FWAA’s 2023 Outland Trophy watchlist

Senior McKinnley Jackson was named to the 2023 Outland Trophy Watchlist, which recognizes college football’s best interior lineman on offense or defense.

With Texas A&M ready to kick off a pivotal 2023 season in about a month, a handful of returning players will prove essential to actualizing a rebound campaign. If the Maroon and White achieve their goal, it’s not a stretch to say some individual hardware could be heading to a few Aggies as a result.

In a Tuesday social media post from Aggie Football, the team shared that defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson was named to the Pro Football Writer’s Association of America’s 2023 Outland Trophy Watch List. Since 1946, the Outland Trophy has been awarded to college football’s best interior lineman on offense or defense.

This year’s preseason watchlist recognizes 91 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. McKinnley is just one of 17 SEC linemen named to the 2023 watchlist and one of 24 defensive tackles that the FWAA recognized.

Jackson returns for his senior season in Aggieland after appearing in eight games for the Maroon and White last season, having been named defensive MVP for the Aggies in 2022. He logged 37 total tackles, including seven for loss, to go along with two sacks and one fumble recovery. In 389 defensive snaps in 2022, he logged 219 as a run defender and 169 in pass rush situations.

He finished with a 70.1 overall defensive grade per Pro Football Focus, with a 71.8 run defense grade and a 68.9 pass rush grade.

The senior will be relied upon heavily to not only help a talented defensive front take a leap in 2023 but also to mentor the rising young talent on the line. The Aggies gave up 208.8 yards rushing per game and managed just 19 sacks in 2022, which means Jackson must lead as a force to be reckoned with if that unit hopes to realize its full potential this season.

Rising stars such as Walter Nolen, who was named the Defensive Top Newcomer last season, will depend on the likes of Jackson to lead by words and by example. Suppose the senior nose tackle consistnely bottles up opposing tailbacks or creates constant pressure on the opposing quarterback. In that case, you can be sure it will have a contagious effect on the younger players and for the better.

As Jackson prepares for the 2023 season, the official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha on January 10, 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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=7]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

ESPN lists Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson as an underrated prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft

Texas A&M senior DT McKinnley Jackson is the straw that stirs the Aggie’s defense, and NFL scouts have recognized his tremendous value.

Texas A&M’s 2023 season will undoubtedly be marred by multiple narratives surrounding Head Coach Jimbo Fisher’s inability to “steady the ship” during the Aggies’ 5-7 2022 debacle. Still, after hiring new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, combined with an elite roster littered with blue-chip talent, there’s nowhere to go but up as we head into fall camp.

With several returning veterans on offense and defense, ESPN’s Matt Miller asked 15 NFL scouts who they believe are the most underrated prospects heading into next year’s 2024 NFL Draft. To no surprise, Texas A&M senior defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson made the list ahead of what should be his most productive season yet.

Over the last two seasons, injuries paired with a lack of alignment change on the line, taking most of his snaps at the nose tackle position, Jackson was a team captain last season, recording 37 tackles (23 solo), seven tackles for loss, and two sacks on the year, including a career-high 12 tackles against Ole Miss. According to PFF, Jackson ranked as the highest-rated defensive lineman for the Aggies last season, and to fully utilize his ability as a three-down lineman, providing more pass-rush opportunities as opposed to lining him up to stop the run will not only benefit the team but further aid in his draft stock going into 2024.

Here are some of what NFL scouts said about Jackson’s ability in the trenches.

From an NFL scout who covers Texas:

“The first thing you notice is his explosiveness. There is so much power generated off the snap. He’s hard to handle one-on-one,”

From an NFC scout:

You talk to the coaches down there, and they’ll tell you the O-line is struggling to contain him — and that’s a veteran interior line down there,” he stated “If he’s doing that in practice, watch out.”

at 6-2 and over 320 pounds, Jackson’s explosive first step and high-end athleticism will have every NFL scout in the country vying for talents, and with the players surrounding him on the line this coming season, including Shemar Turner, Walter Nolan, Shemar Stewart, etc., the sky is the limit for McKinnley Jackson.

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]