Tag: Shemar Turner

Multiple Aggies selected in in first round of CBS Sports’ ‘way-too-early’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Noah Thomas, Shemar Turner projected as 2025 first-round picks in CBS Sports’ “way-too-early” 2025 mock draft

The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded, and for Texas A&M, four players were selected, led by star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper with the 45th overall pick in the second round, now headed to the Green Bay Packers after three seasons in College Station.

Joining Cooper, defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (Cincinnati Bengals), offensive lineman Layden Robinson (New England Patriots), and wide receiver Ainias Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) were all selected in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds, respectfully.

With the Jimbo Fisher era officially in the rearview mirror, new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is equipped with a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball heading into his inaugural 2024 season. Starting quarterback Conner Weigman is leading the way after sustaining a season-ending injury after just four games last season.

According to CBS Sports’ latest early 2025 NFL mock draft, junior wide receiver Noah Thomas and junior defensive lineman Shemar Turner have received projections to be selected in the middle and end of the first round next April, and based on traits alone, this shouldn’t be a surprise.

With the 15th-overall pick to the Chicago Bears, a franchise that recently selected WR Rome Odunze with the 9th overall within this year’s draft is still in need of a consistent red zone target, as Thomas’s 6-6 200-pound frame and large catch radius make him an instant threat on the boundary. During his 2023 sophomore season, Thomas recorded 29 receptions, 359 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

With the 29th-overall pick to the Detroit Lions, head coach Dan Campbell is an Aggie through and through and will be keeping an eye on Turner’s final season at Texas A&M as the versatile defensive lineman is coming off his best collegiate season yet after recording six sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and two force fumbles 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.

Here are the players who have not dressed out for the Maroon & White spring game

Here are they players you won’t see during the Aggies’ Maroon & White spring game on Saturday afternoon

Texas A&M’s spring season will come to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the annual Maroon & White spring game will wrap up what has been a successful precursor to head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural 2024 season.

However, while this game provides a glimpse of what’s to come during fall camp and the strides the roster has made in just two months under the new regime, several notable players will not appear this afternoon.

Just half an hour before both teams took the field, it was released that over 20 players, including several presumed 2024 starters, will not appear in the spring game due to injury or basic precaution, and thanks to GigEm247’s Carter Karels, here is the complete list of the players who will sit out on Saturday.

Out of that list, former five-star cornerback Dezz Ricks and returning tight end Donovan Green’s absence is notable. Still, if they need added rest and recovery ahead of arduous months ahead, this is more than warranted.

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.

3 Aggies listed in CBS Sports’ ‘Top 100 Players’ of 2024 rankings

Three Texas A&M defenders, including two from the transfer portal, have made CBS Sports’ “Top 100 players of 2024” rankings.

Texas A&M’s Maroon & White spring game is just two days away. Head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season will get a sneak peek on Saturday afternoon, but as of now, prepare for potential inclement weather.

In terms of the roster, a bevy of new faces on both offense and defense will make their Aggie debut after a mostly successful spring period. Throughout the spring practice period, Elko has praised the play of several transfer portal additions on defense, including former Purdue Edge Nic Scourton.

This week, CBS Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer released his Top 100 players list ahead of the 2024 season, as three Aggie defenders, including Scourton, made the rankings. Here are all three players:

  • No. 31: Cashius Howell (Edge)
  • No. 44: Nic Scourton (Edge)
  • No. 60: Shemar Turner (Defensive line)

Cashius Howell has the length and speed to get the backfield consistently, recording 9.5 sacks for Bowling Green last season. In comparison, Nic Scourton’s postion versatility and brute strength produced a Big Ten-leading 10 sacks for Purdue in 2023.

Shemar Turner is in a league of his own, returning for a final season in Aggieland, bringing the strength and size to play inside if needed. Already a noted run-stopper, Turner’s strong hands and athleticism make him one of the more feared pass rushers in 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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

New Texas A&M DE Josh Celiscar is ready to make an impact in 2024

Here’s what new Texas A&M transfer DE Josh Celiscar brings to the table

The transfer portal will officially reopen on April 16 of the next week, so prepare for the chaos that will ensue. This week, however, Texas A&M’s 2024 defensive line got stronger with the addition of longtime UCF defensive end Josh Celiscar, who spent his last four seasons in Florida.

Bringing notable confidence to a depth chart where he’ll have to earn his spot in the rotation, Celiscar recently spoke to GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels, and let’s say that this young man isn’t afraid of a bit of competition come fall.

“I do not care who they think is better than me. I am going to prove to them that I am better and I can showcase a lot of things that they need on the defense.”

At 6-4 and 265 pounds, Celiscar is 20-plus pounds lighter than Shemar Turner (290 pounds) and Shemar Stewart (285 pounds), but he provides added versatility to work around the line and find his best spot to thrive in his final collegiate season.

As Celiscar noted in the interview, he knows what he’s capable of after producing right out the gate during his freshman season at UCF, amassing 156 career tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, eight sacks and three pass deflections with over 50 appearances.

Already creating a close bond with Texas A&M defensive line coach Tony Jerod-Eddie and Sean Spencer, Celiscar reportedly feels right at home.

Set to carry 90 scholarship players into the fall, this is by far the deepest roster the Aggies have had in quite some time, and adding a veteran talent in Josh Celiscar is the right move at the right time.

Note: Celiscar is set to arrive in June, joining former Vanderbilt safety De’Rickey Wright.

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.

Texas A&M DT Shemar Turner officially announces his return for the 2024 season

Through the Aggies official NIL representative Texas Aggies United, senior DE Shemar Turner will officially return for the 2024 season.

On Monday, it was reported by multiple outlets that star Texas A&M defensive end/defensive tackle Shemar Turner was slated to return for a final season in College Station after a career-high 2023 junior campaign.

As we say in the journalism game, nothing is official until it’s truly official. Still, on Wednesday night, Turner followed the rest of his fellow Aggie teammates’ announcements while partnering with A&M’s official NIL representative, Texas Aggies United, stating Gig ‘Em Ags” in a post on X.

After recording 33 tackles, 6 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles last season, Turner earned a second-team selection and finished fifth in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss.

Shemar Turner’s return to the Aggies’ defensive line is not just important due to his quality play but to make every transfer player’s transition that much smoother, having a veteran who has been through every up and down with some familiarity of Mike Elko’s defensive scheme is an absolute steal for a program looking to shock it many detractors.

Other Aggies to declare for the upcoming draft in April include Layden Robinson, Ainias Smith, Earnest Crownover III, Max Wright and Christopher Russell Jr.

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.

With Shemar Turner’s return, here’s how Texas A&M’s defensive line should look in 2024

With the news that DT Shemar Turner will return to Texas A&M for his senior season, the Aggies’ defensive line is in very good hands.

On Tuesday night, Texas A&M’s 2024 football team received the news that star defensive tackle Shemar Turner will return for a final season in College Station, delaying his entry into the NFL Draft. With Turner’s existing return, the Aggies defensive line is borderline elite and deeper than ever.

While A&M, in head coach Jimbo Fisher’s final season, struggled on both sides of the ball, the defensive line finished the season 7th in sacks (42) and 5th in tackles for loss (99), primarily anchored by the consistent player of Shemar Turner was second on the team with six sacks behind linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (8), who will enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Needing several upgrades after the departures of DT Walter Nolen (transferred to Ole Miss) and EDGE Fadil Diggs (transferred to Syracuse), new head coach Mike Elko quickly utilized the transfer portal, adding veteran defensive line talent including EDGE Cashius Howell (Bowling Green) DT Rodas Johnson (Wisconsin), and most notably, former Purdue EDGE Nic Scourton, a Bryan, Texas native, who lead the Big Ten in sacks (10) during the 2023 season.

With all the new additions paired with the returning talent, here is how the defensive line depth chart currently looks ahead of Elko’s inaugural 2024 season.

Report: Texas A&M DL Shemar Turner forgoes 2024 NFL Draft, returning for senior year at Kyle Field

Per Carter Karels of GigEm247, DL Shemar Turner is returning to College Station to play his senior season at Kyle Field for coach Mike Elko.

Texas A&M star defensive lineman Shemar Turner is reportedly returning to Bryan-College Station to play his senior season at Kyle Field for new head coach Mike Elko and crew.

According to a report from Carter Karels, the Aggies beat writer for 247Sports, Turner will be back at Texas A&M for the 2024 season rather than declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. He was highly expected to declare by today’s deadline alongside junior All-American linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who made his decision on Dec. 12.

Other Aggies to declare for the upcoming draft in April include Layden Robinson, Ainias Smith, Earnest Crownover III, Max Wright and Christopher Russell Jr.

Turner was chosen by coaches for the Freshman All-SEC team in 2021. This season, he earned a second-team selection by racking up 33 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss of yards, 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Among his SEC peers, Turner ranked fifth in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss.

Here is Turner’s official announcement from X:

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

4 Texas A&M football players chosen for All-SEC teams, highlighted by 2 first team selections

The All-SEC teams were revealed Tuesday afternoon and four Aggies were recognized for their play during the 2023 season.

The All-Southeastern Conference teams were revealed Tuesday afternoon and four Texas A&M Aggies were recognized for their play during the 2023 season.

Graduate student wide receiver Ainias Smith and junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper were chosen for the All-SEC first team. Graduate right tackle Layden Robinson and junior defensive lineman Shemar Turner were selected for the conference’s second team.

 

Smith was a first-team selection in two separate categories: all-purpose and as a return specialist. He has hauled in at least one catch in 39 consecutive games. The versatile playmaker racked up 1,204 all-purpose yards this season with 53 receptions for 795 yards and two touchdowns.

He added 285 punt return yards and 103 kick return yards, including a career-high 131 punt return yards against Arkansas on Sept. 30. During the 34-22 win against the Razorbacks at “Jerry’s World,” he returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.

In 2021, Cooper was chosen for the SEC All-Freshman team. Two years later, he started at linebacker in every game for the Aggies to earn an All-SEC first-team selection. With 17 tackles for loss in 2023, Cooper ranked fifth among Power Five players. He recorded team highs of 84 total tackles and eight sacks to rank sixth and fourth in the SEC, respectively.

Robinson, who is no stranger to accolades, was picked for the conference’s second team. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound graduate student was also chosen for the SEC Community Service Team in 2023. In 2021, Robinson was picked for the Pro Football Focus All-SEC first team and the Associate Press All-SEC second team. He started in 31 consecutive games, including the first 11 contests in 2023, til he missed the regular season finale at LSU.

Turner was chosen by coaches for the Freshman All-SEC team in 2021.  This season, he earned a second-team selection by racking up 33 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss of yards, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. Among his SEC peers, Turner ranked fifth in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss.

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 Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State

Will the Aggies’ secure bowl eligibility? Here are five players to watch out for ahead of Texas A&M’s home bout with Mississippi State.

Texas A&M’s (5-4, 3-3 SEC) 2023 football season has been underwhelming, to say the least, as sixth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher has once again landed on the evergrowing “hot seat” list as his future at the helm is still somewhat unknown with three games remaining.

After falling to Ole Miss 38-35 last Saturday, Texas A&M has dropped five straight to the Rebels and the Aggies’ upcoming opponent, Mississippi State (4-5, 1-5 SEC). Yes, this is very ugly on its face, but a chance to beat the Bulldogs for the first time in two seasons will at least place a much-needed bandage in the form of bowl eligibility.

This will be the Aggies’ first primetime kick-off of the season, and at this point, it may not mean that much to those watching from home, but for Aggie fans attending the game, expect a raucous crowd with plenty of implications still on the line. While the Bulldogs have dealt with plenty of adversity, quarterback Will Rogers is still listed as day-to-day but is 2-1 against A&M, including three touchdowns in their 2022 meeting.

This week, we have provided several storylines to help provide the full scoop on what to expect on Saturday night.

Focusing on the players that need to make plays this weekend, here are the five players to watch ahead of Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State.

Texas A&M DE Shemar Turner issues an apology after his late game ejection in the loss to Ole Miss

After his late game ejection in Texas A&M’s 38-35 loss to Ole Miss, Aggies DE Shemar Turner issued an apology early Sunday.

Amid Texas A&M’s heartbreaking 38-35 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon, junior defensive end Shemar Turner was ejected late in the game after punching Rebels offensive tackle Micah Pettus in the groin late in the fourth quarter, as both teams had been chirping back and forth for most of the matchup.

In one of the more egregious penalties you will likely see all season, Turner immediately knew that he was in the wrong, but in the heat of the game, these things tend to happen, just not in the same vain. Credit to Pettus for having some humor about the incident, stating that he was wearing a cup. However, with how disappointing Texas A&M’s 2023 season has been, Turner’s outstanding and consistent play garners him a mulligan.

Early Sunday morning, Turner issued an apology on Twitter:

I want to apologize for embarrassing myself, my family, and my team! My actions were unacceptable and stupid. I have to understand what teams are gonna try to do to get me out my game I let my emotions get the best of me won’t happen again period… #GigEm

This is what you want to hear from a player who has been the heart and soul of Texas A&M’s defensive line throughout the year, already accumulating 27 tackles and five sacks, which is second on the team behind star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ESPN2.

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.