Tag: Moose Muhammad III

Will Texas A&M WR Moose Muhammad III step up after Cyrus Allen’s season-ending injury?

Texas A&M senior wide receiver Moose Muhammad III will be called up after Cyrus Allen’s season-ending injury

Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC) is only a slight favorite ahead of facing Auburn (4-6, 1-5 SEC) on Saturday night inside what should be a packed Jordan-Hare Stadium, as the Aggies are in a must-win situation before hosting No. 3 Texas in the 2024 season finale a week later.

On Monday, head coach Mike Elko revealed that during Texas A&M’s 38-3 win over New Mexico State, junior wide receiver Cyrus Allen’s in-game arm injury has now sidelined for the remainder of the season, creating an opening in the depth chart.

On its face, the name that makes the most sense to elevate up the depth chart is senior WR Moose Muhammad III, who, despite barely seeing the field this season for unknown reasons, is still the most athletic receiving option who could open up the passing game for starting QB Marcel Reed.

With the ability to play in the slot and Z-receiver spot, Muhammad has sporadically shown off his skillset set, including catching a touchdown against New Mexico State on an impressive reception in the back of the end zone.

Moving senior WR Jabre Barber (27 receptions, 281 yards) to the slot looks like the smartest move, while senior Jahdae Walker and Muhammad will likely share snaps at the Z.

Despite the Tigers’ record, Auburn’s 44th-ranked pass defense can be exposed if Texas A&M OC Collin Klein comes in with a balanced game plan. This means Muhammad, who has consistently shown the ability to get open in the middle of the field, needs to help Marcel Reed establish a passing rhythm early.

Muhammad III has recorded six receptions, 55 yards, and two touchdowns on the year in just five statistical appearances.

Texas A&M will face Auburn on the road on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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Mike Elko explains Texas A&M WR Moose Muhammad’s lack of play time

Moose Muhammad is by far Texas A&M’s most explosive wide receiver option

Texas A&M will head to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night ahead of the Aggies’ Saturday afternoon showdown vs. Arkansas in the annual Southwest Classic. This will be the final year that the game will take place, as a future venue has yet to be announced.

Ahead of the game, head coach Mike Elko spoke to the media on Monday afternoon in the usual fashion, answering any remaining questions regarding A&M’s competitive 26-20 win over Bowling Green on Saturday night.

But what caught all of our attention was when he was asked why senior wide receiver Moose Muhammad hasn’t received as many snaps compared to other receivers on the roster—credit to Elko, who kept it brief and concise.

“He has to be consistent. That’s what we’re looking for from him.”

In just two appearances this season, Muhammad has recorded three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown and did not see the field against Bowling Green.

Throughout his Texas A&M career, Muhammad’s 1,151 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns tell the story of a player with all the talent in the world while, as Elko stated, lacks the consistency to do all the little things from blocking to running efficient routes, and most importantly, avoiding self-inflicted penalties.

So far this season, The Aggie receiving room has lacked explosiveness and the ability to separate in-route, something Muhammad has shown to be excellent at in years past. With redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed slated to start his third game on Saturday, he’ll need a go-to receiver moving forward, placing the son of former NFL wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad back in the spotlight.

Texas A&M will face Arkansas inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman is confident in his receiving options ahead of facing Florida

Ahead of traveling to take on the Florida Gators, starting quarterback Conner Weigman is confident in his receiving corps

Texas A&M (1-1) will face the Florida Gators (1-1) in Gainsville on Saturday afternoon. The first SEC road matchup looks like a critical game on paper for both programs.

Taking center stage, starting quarterback Conner Weigman showed some improvement during the Aggies’ 52-10 win over McNeese State. His footwork issues led to a career-low performance against Notre Dame the week prior.

Although Weigman only lasted two quarters due to the score, his accuracy and overall confidence led to five consecutive scoring drives. The redshirt sophomore knows this is just the beginning of his 2024 journey, but he’ll need help from his wide receiver corps.

Earlier this week, I examined A&M’s wide receiver room after the win, noting that even against an FCS opponent, the receivers who took the field failed to consistently gain separation in their routes, which is now becoming a constant issue.

It’s not for lack of talent; La Tech WR Cyrus Allen leads the team with 100 receiving yards, but that primarily game against McNeese after recording 75 yards. Still, Weigman noted during Monday’s press conference that utilizing each receiver’s skillset is key to finding a balanced offensive attack.

“I think we had 10, 11, 12 guys receivers-wise. Being able to spread the ball helps… They have different skillsets.”

However, to take the top off the defense, utilizing the most athletic receiver early and often will open up the passing game underneath, leading to what should be an increase in snaps for senior WR Moose Muhammad and freshman Terry Bussey, who might be the twitchiest route runner on the roster despite his inexperience.

Like most quarterbacks, Weigman is determined to control the offense no matter the situation. Combined with an improved run game, the passing game will slowly but surely improve, especially if he continues to use his legs when warranted.

“I would have played the whole game if they had let me. We scored every drive.”

“That’s what I tell my guys. Every time we touch the ball, points, points, points.”

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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Who will become Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman’s go-to recevier?

Texas A&M’s wide receiver corps needs to step up as SEC play nears

Texas A&M (1-1) demolished McNeese State 52-10 on Saturday afternoon, as the head coach, Mike Elko, earned his first win with the program since taking over late last year.

Inheriting starting quarterback Conner Weigman, the redshirt sophomore returned to the field for the first time in over a year against Notre Dame to open the 2024 season, but after a career-low performance with just 100 yards and two interceptions on the night, doubt set in from the fan base.

Bouncing back in week 2, Weigman threw for 125 yards and two touchdowns while earning a Pro Football Focus-leading 97.7 offensive grade and 96.6 passing grade, returning to setting his feet and delivering accurate throws.

However, several drops from his receivers, including from former La Tech WR Cyrus Allen, took away from what could have been an even more productive outing. While Allen led the game with 75 receiving yards, it hasn’t been established who Weigman’s primary, dependable receiving option will be.

An easy name is junior wide receiver Noah Thomas, who caught his first touchdown of the year against McNeese, but his lack of explosiveness in his cuts continues to be an issue. Senior Moose Muhammad III is another intriguing candidate due to his quickness and athleticism, but consistency has also been a problem.

Former Troy wide receiver Jabre Barber officially returned from injury but only saw the field for eight snaps. Freshman Terry Bussey, possibly the most explosive option, though inexperienced, played 33 snaps at wide receiver while scoring on a 65-yard jet sweep but did make a reception.

Finally, senior Jahdae Walker, who left Saturday’s game due to a hand injury, might be Weigman’s go-to option in the middle of the field if every previous receiver mentioned fails to step up, as he was by far the Aggies’ most productive and dependable receiver down the stretch of the, finishing the 2023 season with 590 yards and two touchdowns, including three 100-plus yards games.

Time will tell which players step up, but time is of the essence.

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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Texas A&M HC Mike Elko provided an update on injured Aggie wide receiver

Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is optimistic that one of the Aggie’s receiving options could be back sooner than later.

Texas A&M’s 2024 season continues on Saturday. The Aggies will host McNeese State on Saturday afternoon, just a week after falling to Notre Dame 23-13 inside a packed Kyle Field.

This week, the emphasis is on offense. Starting quarterback Conner Weigman is determined to put his career-low performance behind him after throwing for just 100 yards and two interceptions. The redshirt sophomore noted that his feet were off while his emotions were high.

On the contrary, Texas A&M’s wide receiver rotation failed to gain separation consistently, leading to Weigman having to rush things mentally. However, OC Collin Klein needs to do a better job scheming receivers open.

On Wednesday, head coach Mike Elko revealed that former Troy wide receiver Jabre Barber is progressing in rehab and is “getting closer” to returning to the rotation sooner rather than later. Elko spoke to reporters during his weekly SEC Teleconference.

During his final season with Troy, Barber recorded 75 receptions, 999 yards, and five touchdowns. He possesses the quickness and versatility needed to contribute in the receiving game quickly this season.

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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Senior WR Moose Muhammad III featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Senior WR Moose Muhammad comes in at No. 6 in our countdown to the 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame

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. 6 on our list, senior wide receiver Moose Muhammad III enters the most important season of his playing career.

Inconsistency has been an issue since he stepped on campus, but many of these problems can be blamed on former head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher simply mismanaged his usage rate, resulting in a lack of on-field confidence. Still, Muhammad’s elite route-runner traits, paired with his impressive athleticism and playmaker mentality, make him a valuable member of the 2024 offense.

While the wide receiver depth chart is all but set, Muhammad has practiced with both the first and second-team offense this fall but is expected to return as the starting slot receiver ahead of facing Notre Dame.

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Muahammad’s production dropped from 610 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the 2022 season to just 27 receptions, 345 receiving yards, and two touchdowns last season. Quarterback injuries paired with poor game management certainly played a large part in Moose’s sudden disappearance.

For Texas A&M’s offense under new OC Collin Klein to be successful, Muhammad must make a similar impact to his impressive play during the 2022 season, providing starting quarterback Conner Weigman plenty of reliable options through the air.

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Texas A&M WR Micah Tease continues to impress during the end of the fall camp

Could Micah Tease become a key contributor in the passing game this season?

Texas A&M’s fall practice period is coming to an end, as head coach Mike Elko and his staff are currently hosting the team’s 14th practice on Saturday afternoon, as the season opener vs. Notre Dame is exactly two weeks away with plenty of hype.

While progress has been made this month, several players on offense and defense have consistently stood out, including starting quarterback Conner Weigman, junior defensive end Shemar Stewart, and most surprisingly, sophomore wide receiver Micah Tease, who only recorded 19 yards on two receptions during his 2023 freshman season.

With new OC Collin Klein now running the offense, the departure of speedy WR Evan Stewart, who transferred to Oregon this offseason, has left many of us wondering which receiver on the roster can match Stewart’s top-end speed to put pressure on the secondary.

So far this month, Tease has been paired with former Louisiana Tech WR Cyrus Allen, who has stood out as a potential solution to the issue. He has already made several big-time receptions, run fluid routes, and consistently shown off the deep speed that made him a Top 150-ranked recruit in the 2023 cycle, receiving offers from numerous blue-blood programs.

On paper, junior wide receivers Noah Thomas and Jhade Walker have likely secured starting spots, while fellow junior wideout Moose Muhammad III is battling with Cyrus Allen and Tease to fill out the rest of the rotation.

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Texas A&M WR Jahdae Walker is entering the 2024 season with clear momentum

Texas A&M WR Jahdae Walker is looking to capitalize on his 2023 success this season

Texas A&M’s 2024 roster is stacked with talent, yet it has yet to reach its full potential. New head coach Mike Elko knows that the players he inherited ahead of his inaugural season were truly a gift, starting with redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman.

However, who he’ll be throwing to is another question, as the Aggies’ wide receiver rotation is equally talented but relatively unproven after the departure of Ainias Smith to the NFL and former 5-star WR Evan Stewart, who transferred to Oregon this offseason, needing several returning names to step up this season.

While junior Noah Thomas and senior Moose Muhammad III are consistently singled out due to their previous recruiting prowess and impressive traits, former Grand Valley State product Jahdae Walker was by far the most consistent receiver on the roster at the end of the 2023 campaign.

After Conner Weigman’s injury, former backup QB Max Johnson relied on Walker to move the chains consistently. Walker finished the year with 100-plus yard receiving performances, 590 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.

Standing at an impressive 6-4 and 205 pounds, Walker’s quickness, soft hands, large catch radius, and, most importantly, overall toughness have made him a reliable target for Weigman during fall camp and has likely solidified a starting spot in the wide receiver rotation.

What’s even more impressive is Walker’s ability to immediately connect with all three quarterbacks last season, including sophomore QB Marcel Reed, who found Walker throughout the night for eight receptions and 137 yards in A&M’s loss to Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.

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Texas A&M’s 2024 starting WR rotation could include a newcomer from the transfer portal

Could former La Tech WR Cyrus Allen end up starting for Texas A&M this season?

It’s fall camp for Texas A&M and new head coach Mike Elko, who has every chance to succeed during his first year with the program after inheriting a talented and experienced roster led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman.

Defensively, Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman feel that this unit should be the team’s strength, especially due to the program’s loaded defensive line with the return of Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart.

In contrast, former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton has a chance to become an immediate game wrecker as the Bryan, Texas native has returned home.

However, the offense will continue to take center stage on a national scale, as any success this season will depend on Weigman’s ability to move the ball down the field in the passing game under new OC Collin Klein’s scheme, needing to rely on a wide receiver corps that is relatively inexperienced.

In the video, junior WR Noah Thomas and senior WR Jahdae Walker were joined by a different third receiver in first-team reps, as GigEm 247’s Carter Karels noted that former Louisiana Tech WR Cyrus Allen was listed as the third starter, as the versatile speedster is coming off his career-high 778 receiving yards and four touchdowns during his final season with the Bulldogs.

Texas A&M’s passing offense needs more reliable downfield production with explosive WR Evan Stewart, who transferred to Oregon early in the offseason; Allen could represent that piece to the puzzle and provide Weigman with another dependable option on third down.

If this is the case, the wide receiver unit’s depth suddenly becomes much deeper than previously anticipated, with senior Moose Muhammad potentially rotating in.

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Where does Texas A&M land in CBS Sports’ 2024 134 team rankings?

Texas A&M’s 2024 season is just 30 days away

Texas A&M’s 2024 season is just 30 days away. The Aggies will kick off the season against Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, inside a packed Kyle Field.

Serving as head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season, the former A&M defensive coordinator (2018-2021) is back in College Station after a short two-year stint at Duke. He proved his head coaching chops with the Blue Devils by winning an impressive 16 games in his two seasons in Durham.

As we’ve covered throughout the offseason, Elko and his coaching staff have inherited a talented and experienced roster, paired with the nearly 30 transfer portal additions, including former Purdue Edge Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten with ten sacks last season.

However, redshirt quarterback Conner Weigman’s return to the lineup after his offseason surgery continues to dominate any Texas A&M-related headlines, but the status of the offensive line will likely make or break the Aggie’s chances of consistently moving the ball down the field.

On paper, Texas A&M’s defense with Scourton and several new additions in the secondary looks like the team’s predominant strength, providing Elko’s elite defensive mind plenty to work with. So, what does the national media think of the Aggies’ chances to compete for a playoff spot this season?

On Thursday, CBS Sports released its 134 team rankings, and what may be surprising to some is that Texas A&M is ranked 20th after finishing the 2023 season as the 41st-ranked team in the rankings, as writer Chip Patterson stated that former head coach Jimbo Fisher’s blatant lack of on-field execution shouldn’t be an issue under Elko.

“The struggles that led to Jimbo Fisher’s exit did tailspin the Aggies’ season a bit, and when it comes to ranking all 134 FBS teams, you can’t give a program like Texas A&M a pass just because it’s going through some tough times” Patterson stated.

“Talent was rarely the issue, but execution was, and by boosting the Aggies up nearly two dozen spots, our voters are clearly in on the idea that Mike Elko’s hire will have a positive impact on closing the gap between talent and results.”

Most college football media members voted on by CBS Sports, and 247Sports writers agree that Elko looks like the right fit to finally get the Aggies back to winning key games in October and November.

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