Tag: Reuben Owens

Five reasons why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in Week 5

The Aggies will be fine at QB, while their defense is turning a corner and the perfect time. Here’s why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in Week 5.

A mere 24 hours separate Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) from their next challenge in Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC). In the next chapter of the Southwest Classic, the rivalry matchup between these two programs will once again play out against the backdrop of AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

It’s been a wild week for the Maroon and White, to say the least. After initial optimism surrounding Conner Weigman, it was revealed the sophomore’s season would come to an end after suffering a foot injury in last week’s win against Auburn.

That only means the Max Johnson era has officially begun in Aggieland, and as we witnessed last week, the veteran southpaw is more than up to the challenge. That being said, the performance at quarterback won’t be the only key to victory for the Aggies.

A dominant performance from A&M’s defense last week was exactly what the doctor ordered as the Aggies continue their SEC schedule gauntlet. That’s in addition to the versatility of A&M’s running back room, which will test what has so far been a solid Arkansas run defense.

This year’s Southwest Classic may come to another thrilling finish, but when it’s all said and done, the Aggies have the pieces to fend off the Hogs and move to 2-0 in SEC play. These are five reasons why Texas A&M will beat Arkansas in the next chapter of the Southwest Classic.

Five players to watch in Texas A&M’s Week 2 road matchup vs. Miami

Here are five players to watch out for ahead of Texas A&M’s road clash with the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.

Texas A&M’s 2023 rebound season is off to the races after Jimbo Fisher’s rejuvenated roster dismantled the visiting New Mexico Lobos 52-10 behind starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s five touchdowns, including three to breakout sophomore wide receiver Noah Thomas.

This Saturday, the Aggies’ revamped offense will now take their high-octane passing attack to South Beach as they face the Miami Hurricanes in the highly coveted Week 2.

Throughout the week, we have done our absolute best at Aggies Wire to provide you with top-notch previews of the matchup this week, ranging from the top storylines, Florida native Shemar Stewart’s return to Miami, and, of course, the key to keeping the Weigman upright in the pocket; Texas A&M’s offensive line, or the “Maroon Goons” as we call them.

But talk is cheap, and the players who take the field this weekend will determine the final results. And even though the Aggies remain a slim four-point favorite as of Thursday, the Hurricanes and second-year HC Mario Cristobal are looking for revenge after falling 17-9 in Kyle Field last fall.

Ahead of Week 2, here are the five Texas A&M players to watch before the Aggies face Miami.

Two Aggie freshmen named to On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American Team

On3’s Freshman All-American Team features two notable Aggies, including offensive tackle Chase Bisontis and running back Reuben Owens.

As much hype as Texas A&M’s historic 2022 recruiting class deserved, the Aggies 2023 cycle is chock-full of talent, including two players poised to receive substantial playing time as soon as the 2023 season opener.

On Tuesday, On3 released their official Preseason True Freshman All-American Team. The two Aggie freshmen I’m referencing made the list, as running back Reuben Owens and offensive lineman/tackle Chase Bisontis.

Both elite athletes in their own right, Owens, who is widely regarded as the best running back prospect in the 2023 class, isn’t just a north/south backfield option but an incredibly versatile receiving option with impressive vision and second-gear acceleration once he makes his first cut.

“There’s a handful of touted 2023 running backs who I think could make a claim for this lone running back spot. We went with Rueben Owens, because I think his versatility and ability to affect the game in the backfield at A&M, who’s going to have to replace Devon Achane. I think he’s in a good position to contribute, especially early in the season.”

Owen has stood out this fall in a loaded running back room that includes Amari Daniels, LeVeon Moss, and Boston College/Colorado State transfer David Baily and will be very hard to keep off the field for Head Coach Jimbo Fisher.

Chase Bistontis’s ceiling as a future NFL starter at either right or left tackle is just one of the reasons we’ll likely see his number called in a rotational setting or simply beating out a more experienced player… stay tuned.

“A big senior riser for On3, and reached the cusp of five-star status, finishing a No. 35 in the On3 Top 300. He is extremely physically developed. Very strong. One of the strongest offensive linemen in the 2023 cycle. And a guy who can play multiple positions along the offensive line. … He can play guard, he can play tackle. I think he has a ton of versatility.”

Not that I’m revealing anything we haven’t already reported, but Bisontis, even more than Owens, has thoroughly impressed the Aggies coaching staff due to his overwhelming strength, quick feet, and veteran-like hand use. The bottom line is that he’s developed beyond his years and will likely earn an All-SEC bid as soon as the 2024 season.

Congratulations to both young men on their well-deserved selection.

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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WATCH: Texas A&M Football welcomes the 2023 freshman class in entertaining fashion

Texas A&M’s talented media team put together a “welcome wagon” of sorts for the Aggies’ talented 2023 freshman class.

Amid the Aggies’ ongoing fall practice schedule, the 2023 college football season is now just two weeks away, while Texas A&M is set to kick off their crucial 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, against New Mexico inside what should be a packed Kyle Field.

Ahead of their ninth practice on Friday afternoon, Texas A&M’s entertaining Aggie Cam released yet another piece of fantastic content after asking nearly every player the ultimate question: Do Aliens truly exist?

Shifting the focus to the Aggies’ talented 2023 recruiting class, who are entering their first full season with the program, the Aggie media team put together a rousing welcome wagon of sorts for the nearly 40-plus players, including several notable transfers, headlined by former five-star defensive tackle DJ Hicks Jr, and five-star running back Reuben Owens, who is poised to see the field this season regularly.

Texas A&M leads the SEC in returning production as a bulk of the Aggies’ historic 2022 recruiting class has returned. High expectations have already been placed on several newcomers outside of Hicks and Owens, as former four-star cornerback Jayvon Thomas has reportedly made waves this fall while competing for a starting spot opposite veteran corner Tyreek Chappell. In contrast, former four-star offensive lineman Chase Bisontis is poised to see extensive playing time in the trenches.

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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5 sleepers on Texas A&M’s offense heading into the 2023 season

As Texas A&M’s offense looks to make a significant improvement in 2023, be on the lookout for these five sleeper candidates to make an impact.

With just under two months until the 2023 college football season, it means that an emphatic bounce-back campaign from Texas A&M is just around the corner. You know it, I know it, and the 12th Man knows it, and it will take a collective effort to reach that goal.

It’s no secret that for the Aggies to reach success this coming season, it hinges on their offense to make a drastic improvement from their scoring mark in 2022. Last year, the Maroon and White ranked 101st in the country with a scoring average of 22.8 points per game. Spoiler alert: that’s not going to cut it when facing SEC juggernauts such as Alabama and LSU.

With new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino in the fold, it opens the door for some much-needed ingenuity in the playbook to help maximize the star potential on that side of the ball. Sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman could be in for a dark-horse Heisman campaign with no shortage of targets in the likes of Evan Stewart, Ainias Smith, and Moose Muhammad III leading a talented receiving unit.

But truth be told, those names won’t be the only ones to benefit from a revitalized offensive scheme. Once the Aggies take the field, we could see more than a handful of breakout candidates make a name for themselves in 2023.

Here are five players on Texas A&M’s roster you don’t want to make the mistake of sleeping on heading into the fall season.

Amari Daniels, LeVeon Moss and Reuben Owens shine during the Maroon and White game

In the Aggies Maroon and White game on Saturday, a three-man running back rotation may be in the works ahead of the 2023 season

Team White may have fended off Team Maroon in a 33-19 win during Texas A&M‘s 2023 spring game, but let’s not get lost in the quarterback narrative without giving the running back group its flowers.

Junior running back Amari Daniels led the way with 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries, while sophomore LeVeon Moss (4 carries, 26 yards) and freshman five-star Reuben Owens (9 carries, 48 yards) made his exciting debut to the public. Even converted fullback Earnest Crownover scored one of two rushing touchdowns on the day on 8 carries for 28 yards, so all in all, it was a successful outing in the backfield.

The method in which head coach Jimbo Fisher will deploy this group is highly intriguing, noting that Daniels, Moss, and Owens all possess skill sets that warrant snaps next season. Past productivity is clearly lacking from a statistical standpoint, mainly due to the program’s dependence on Devon Achane during his three-year career.

While Reuben Owens has received a majority of the offseason praise due to his notable athleticism and ability in the passing game, it was his vision and ability to read blocks at an advanced level that currently puts him as the front running to challenge for the RB 1 spot.

Amari Daniels’s “all-purpose back” label was put on full display in the latter half of the 2022 season after Achane dealt with a slew of injuries, rushing for 189 yards in three straight games, ending the season with a 5.6-yard-per-rush average.

LeVeon Moss ended his freshman season with 27 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown, displaying a tough running style paired with quick burst and acceleration, and is prone to gain a ton of yards after contact, fitting the SEC mold at the running back position.

All three deserve snaps next season, and although the running back by committee approach scares off certain sects of the fanbase, in order to truly open up the field in Bobby Petrino’s offensive approach, utilizing every available athlete in specific in-game situations is the key to wearing down defenses at a consistent rate.

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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ESPN lists the “Top Storyline” heading into spring football for Texas A&M

Ahead of Texas A&M’s April 15th Maroon and White spring game, ESPN lists the “Top Storyline” ahead of the game, and the 2023 season

The 2023 college football season will be here before you know it, but ahead of all the summer chaos and news dumps that will surely prepare you for what should be a highly entertaining campaign, Spring Football is already underway for nearly every FBS program in the country to preview what we may see from a lineup perspective ahead the regular season.

For Texas A&M, their April 15 Maroon and White spring game will not only introduce a host of new talent from the underrated 2023 recruiting class but also provide much-needed tape to in evaluating key areas on offense and defense while identifying weak spots, especially concerning the linebacker depth chart.

This week, ESPN writers Chris Low and Harry Lyles Jr. released their own comprehensive SEC spring football preview, most notably listing Texas A&M’s biggest storyline, and incoming players to watch from both the transfer portal and recruiting. For their “Top storyline”, no surprise as both agreed that now sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman’s first year as the full-time starter, combined with Wide receiver Ainias Smith’s return and Bobby Petrino’s hiring as offensive coordinator led the discussion:

Nobody in College Station wants to go through what the Aggies did a year ago. They finished 5-7, lost at home to Appalachian State, lost six straight games at one point and had a handful of their most coveted signees from the No. 1-ranked 2022 signing class get in trouble off the field and ultimately leave the program. So finding some solidarity and regaining their focus will be paramount for the Aggies this spring. Talented quarterback Conner Weigman is back, and Texas A&M got a pleasant surprise when receiver Ainias Smith decided to return to school. What will the offense look like in 2023 after a dreadful year last season? After calling his own plays in the past, Jimbo Fisher didn’t sit pat this offseason. He brought in former Arkansas and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino, one of the best playcallers in the business, and is turning those duties over to him.

When discussing who will end up being the most impactful “newcomer” this season, Low and Lyles Jr. took the transfer portal and recruiting route with their choices:

Texas A&M added what should be immediate help at cornerback in the portal with the addition of North Carolina’s Tony Grimes, a former five-star recruit who played the past three seasons for the Tar Heels. And on offense, freshman running back Rueben Owens has the versatility and speed to fit perfectly into Petrino’s offense. Owens signed with Texas A&M after originally committing to Louisville.

After cornerback Myles Jones transferred to Duke and cornerback Jaylon Jones departed for the NFL, the addition of an experienced vet like Tony Grimes is as “plug and play” as you can get that this stage, and while the Aggies running back room could end up being a three-headed monster made up of Amari Daniels, LeVeon Moss, and 2023 5-Star recruit Reuben Owens, the freshman could end up being one of the more dynamic playmakers in his first season compared to his counterparts.

While the possibilities are endless for what Bobby Petrino could bring to this offense compared to D.J. Durkin’s make-or-break season heading the defense, Head coach Jimbo Fisher has a lot on his plate, yet a ton of tools in his belt to get the job done 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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Friday Night Notes: Prime Time in Colorado, 5-star recruits for Florida and Texas A&M, plus more

The latest recruiting notes looks at the Prime Time’s effect at Colorado, the Aggies attempt to rebound and the Florida Gators 5-star haul.

USA TODAY High School Sports‘ Friday Night Notes is a weekly high school recruiting recap that looks at the latest news from around the country—from the Class of 2023 to ’24 and beyond.

Few athletes have been as disruptive as Deion Sanders in his career.  For 14 years, Sanders played DB at the highest level, snatching 54 interceptions, making eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams, winning two Super Bowls, and eventually earning a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders was also good enough at baseball to hit 39 home runs and steal 186 bases in the majors. At his peak, he led MLB in triples in 1992 with the Braves.

Sanders has also found success in his endeavors after his playing days. After a few years of analysis work at NFL Network and coaching high school football he took over at HBCU Jackson State, where he went 27-5.

Next up, Sanders will attempt to lead a floundering Power-5 program to relevance. On Sunday, Sanders officially took over as the new head coach at Colorado, turning a derelict recruiting team into a heavyweight contender overnight.

The results are yet to be determined. However, it’s clear Coach Prime is already a fan favorite.

Make no mistake; Sanders has inherited a mess of a program at Colorado. The team hasn’t won more than five games in a season since 2016, bottoming out with a 1-11 record in 2022. The Buffaloes are also behind the herd in the recruiting game. Their 2023 class currently ranks No. 72 in the nation and they have no recruits on board at all for 2024.

Some of those holes will be filled by players Sanders is bringing over with him from Jackson State. The first to do so is offensive tackle Jordan Hall. Hall is a huge (6-foot-8, 330 pounds) three-star lineman who is ranked No. 48 in the state of Ohio. Prime’s son Shedeur Sanders will be among those following suit and he’ll be starting at quarterback.

Time will tell if Jackson can turn this team around, but he’ll have his pick of the upcoming high-end prospects.

On3 has reported that over 200 recruits have reached out since he was hired. Five-star 2025 wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. became Sanders’ first new recruit and some flips may also be coming soon.

For starters, they have made an offer to five-star Iowa commit, OT Kadyn Proctor. Colorado is also favored to land four-star RB Dylan Edwards, who just decommitted from Notre Dame.

Every running back Auburn has offered in the 2023 cycle

These 11 running backs hold offers from Auburn.

The Auburn Tigers added one running back in the 2022 cycle with Damari Alston of Atlanta, Georgia. Bryan Harsin and running backs coach Cadillac Williams narrowly missed out on a second back, TreVonte’ Citizen opted to head to the Miami Hurricanes instead.

Going into 2023 there are plenty of talented running backs that Auburn can target. The top back in the state, Jeremiah Cobb recently picked up an official offer from the Tigers. He is among a group of 11 running backs to receive on in the 2023 cycle.

Over the next nine months, the staff will be hitting the trails hard to secure a top-class as Auburn looks to reload their roster to make a run at the top of the SEC West.

As we did with quarterbacks, here is the list of all 11 running backs that hold offers.

Every running back that Oklahoma has offered in the 2023 recruiting class

Who are the running backs that the Oklahoma Sooners have offered a scholarship to in the 2023 recruiting class?

The Oklahoma Sooners have had a lot of success over the years recruiting and developing the running back position. Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine were instrumental to Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run.

Adrian Peterson is a college football legend and one of the best running backs of the last 20 years. Another Sooners great DeMarco Murray led the league in rushing in 2014 and has returned as one of the best recruiters and running backs coaches in college football.

DeMarco Murray has been an x-factor on the recruiting trail, keeping big-time running back prospects Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk in the fold while others in the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes decommitted. He’s the reason why Oklahoma is in the fold for several of 247Sports top 10 running backs in the 2023 class like Richard Young, the No. 1 running back in the recruiting cycle.

Below are the running backs that the Oklahoma Sooners have offered in the 2023 cycle according to 247Sports.