Hear what Aggies Head coach Jimbo Fisher, DL McKinnley Jackson, and OL Layden Robinson had to say during Thursday’s Press Conference
Texas A&M is off to a great start during the second full week of spring football practice, and the best part of all is that aside from the low-hanging fruit that is the playcalling “controversy” between Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, all is quiet on the maroon and white front, for now.
On Thursday afternoon, Jimbo Fisher, senior defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson, and senior offensive lineman Layden Robinson sat down to take questions for the local media regarding the progress the team has made during spring ball, potential postion changes on the O-line, and of course, how well Bobby Petrino’s has adjusted to his new gig after a couple of months on the job.
Aside from the playcalling dispute that will hopefully be put to bed once and for all, star sophomore wide receiver Evan Stewart’s ankle injury that was revealed through a social media post (to be public) last weekend finally received some clarity, as Fisher states that he is currently “day to day”. Here is what all three had to say in the afternoon.
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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
Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List features two Aggies
The college football off-season is swiftly coming to an end, as the season officially starts exactly one month from now on August 27th, with the Aggies kicking their season off on September 3rd. With that, preseason award watch lists have been rapidly announced over the last couple of days, and one of the more prestigious awards, The Outland Trophy, recently presented its watch list which happened to include two Aggies, offensive lineman Layden Robinson, and defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson.
Voted on by The Football Writers Association of America, the award recognized 89 returned interior linemen and is presented annually to the interior lineman, offensive or defense, who showed exceptional play during the season. Here is how the FWAA explained the award ceremony process:
The recipient of the 2022 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 8. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 11, 2023.
Layden Robinson is returning for his third season after an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, looking to continue his dominant play as one of the best-run blockers in the country, with legitimate high-end potential as an early pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
McKinnley Jackson is also coming off of an injury/suspension based 2021 season, but was a solid contributor at nose tackle during his time on the field, accumulating 14 tackles and 1 sack in 4 starts with 10 games played. with a number of departures on the defensive line this season, Jackson will be looked to lead a group of highly talented, but inexperienced defensive linemen.
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Texas A&M Player Profiles: Defensive Lineman, McKinnley Jackson
Going into the 2022 football season, Aggies Wire will be looking 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.
McKinnley Jackson is entering his third season at Texas A&M, looking to take over as the starting nose tackle after the departure of Jayden Peevy following the 2021 season. Ranked as the top player in Mississippi for the 2020 recruiting class, Jackson’s early playing days were spent at Georgia County High School in Lucedale, Mississippi, where during his 4-year varsity career, he amassed 308 total tackles, 34 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries. Seen as one of the most dominant defensive line prospects in years, Jackson chose the Aggies over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, and Clemson, making it official on Feb. 5, 2020. Jackson chose to forgo redshirting during the 2020 season and proceeded to appear in all 10 games, making 13 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. The following 2021 season saw a small dip in Jackson’s overall performance, playing in 10 games and accounting for 14 total tackles, only 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss, sharing the nose tackle rotation with Isaiah Raikes, and starter Jayden Peevy. As we head into the 2022 season, look for McKinnley Jackson at the front of the defensive line pack.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Lucedale, Mississippi
Height: 6-2
Weight: 335lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking
Class in 2020: 4-Star player ranking, No.1 player in the state of Mississippi, 9th ranked defensive tackle prospect in the country
Career Stats
Year
G
Tackles
TFL
Sacks
FF
2020
10
13
2
1.5
0
2021
10
14
1
1
0
PFF Grades
Year
Defense
Run Defense
Tackling
Pass Rush
2020
51.2
44.5
56.0
65.4
2021
57.1
56.5
30.1
61.7
Depth Chart Overview
McKinnley Jackson (Junior) is projected to be the starting nose tackle for Texas A&M for the upcoming 2022 season under Jimbo Fishers’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme, led by the first-year defensive coordinator for the Aggies, D.J. Durkin. Jackson is joined by potential starting defensive tackle, Shemar Turner (Sophomore), starting edge rusher, Fadil Diggs (Redshirt Sophomore), and potential starting defensive ends, Tunmise Adeleye (Red Shirt Freshman) and Elijah Jeudy (Red Shirt Freshman). Overall, Jackson displays an SEC nose tackle frame at 6-2, 335lbs, carries his weight well from a movement perspective, and is a bully in the interior with adequate hand use and good initial burst, outmuscling most interior lineman from the start of the snap. As a rotational player in his first two seasons, Jackson took advantage of every rep he was given, putting immense pressure on the quarterback in multiple games during the 2021 season. With this year being his first as the presumed starter at nose tackle, Jackson has the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage every weekend and raise his NFL draft stock in the process as well.
Players’ Photo Gallery
Auburn running back Tank Bigsby (4) is sandwiched in a tackle by Texas A&M linebacker Andre White Jr. (32) and defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (35) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020.
Auburn Texas A M
Oct 23, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (35) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman M.J. Webb (94) during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY SportsOct 23, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (35) reacts to wrapping up South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Zeb Noland (not pictured) for a loss during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
McKinney Jackson, a high-priority target for Alabama, has officially made a decision on where he’ll play at the next level.
McKinley Jackson was a high-priority target for Alabama entering the second National Signing Day on Wednesday. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, the four-star defensive lineman will be going elsewhere.
During a signing ceremony at his high school in Lucedale (Miss.), Jackson announced that he would be joining Jimbo Fisher and the 2020 recruiting class for Texas A&M.
According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Jackson is rated as the No. 61 overall player, No. 9 defensive tackle and No. 1 player from the state of Mississippi.
It is a pretty big blow to Alabama’s chances of landing the No. 1 overall class, but that doesn’t mean the Tide hasn’t brought in a tremendous amount of talent.
Between the additions in the 2019 class (DJ Dale, Byron Young, Justin Eboigbe, Ishmael Sopsher, etc.) and the 2020 group (five-star Tim Smith, Jah-Marien Latham, Jamil Burroughs and Jayson Jones), Alabama’s defensive line is still in great hands.
