Tag: Texas A&M Aggie Football

According to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, Texas is much more prepared for the SEC than Oklahoma

According to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, Texas is much more prepared for its jump to the SEC in 2024 than Oklahoma.

Texas A&M’s inaugural SEC season in 2012 was one for the records books, led by star freshman quarterback Johnny Manziels‘ Heisman-winning 11-2 revival of pure unadulterated excitement in College Station, Texas, while also being a complete abnormality when comparing other programs’ entrance into the toughest conference in the country.

Since entering the SEC, The Aggies have gone a collective 90-48 behind both former Head Coach Kevin Sumlin and current Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, coming off the program’s worst record in 14 seasons (5-7, 2-6 SEC), setting up what is a crucial 2023 campaign to get things back on track behind a talented roster, and experienced coaching staff.

However, the legendary Lone Star Showdown vs. the Texas Longhorns has been on a frustrating pause since the 2011 season after the Aggies departed from the Big 12, but after the exciting announcement during the SEC Spring Meetings in early June, culminating in the 2024 SEC schedule reveal just a couple of weeks later, Texas vs. Texas A&M on the gridiron is officially back, and here to stay (tentatively).

Looking ahead, Texas A&M’s nearly 13-year SEC mainstay seemingly put them far ahead of Texas and other future newcomer Oklahoma. Still, as we know, the progress of a program is heavily based on recruiting success, and according to TexAgs’ Billy Liucci, who appeared on the Paul Finebaum show on Monday, believes that current Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has his program is much better postion to compete in the conference right off the bat compared to the Sooners:

“Texas is doing a hell of a lot better than OU is in terms of preparing to come into this league” Liucci stated “Sooner fans are in for a rude awakening are in for the rudest awakening because they’ve been going, except last year, 10-2, 11-1, making the playoffs. They’ve been doing that because they’ve been doing it against the Big 12.”

As usual, Liucci has a great point, especially when emphasizing Oklahoma’s horrific defensive showings in the last four or so seasons which were covered mainly by record-setting offenses during Lincoln Riley’s reign, including their 12-2 2018 season with the No.1-ranked offense, and the 109th-ranked defense.

In the SEC, defense, especially winning in the trenches, has been Georgia’s bread and butter during their Championship run. When comparing Texas’ impressive performance against Alabama last season, including their rematch in 2023, Sarkisian’s player development and recruiting prowess places him a step above Oklahoma until further notice.

The 2023 SEC season marks the final time for the East and West divisions, providing teams the opportunity for matchup parity while traveling to a multitude of venues while keeping their most essential rivalries, specifically the Lone Star Showdown, which could end up yielding significant implications for both teams in 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 Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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2024 5-star DL Aydin Breland will visit Texas A&M this weekend

It has been confirmed that 2024 5-star DL Aydin Breland will visit College Station this weekend

Several visits have been revealed regarding Texas A&M’s annual recruiting pool party/barbeque during the last weekend of July continues to roll out this week as a swath of 2024 prospects will descend on College Station this weekend, including 2024 five-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland, who is the top-ranked player in California.

On Monday, it was announced that 2024 five-star athlete/wide receiver Terry Bussey will officially join the likes of fellow 2024 five-stars in Edge Colin Simmons, WR Ryan Wingo, and DL David Stone, add Aydin Breland to the mix who has been on A&M’s radar since last year, and after placing the Maroon and White in his Top-10 program list last May after taking his first unofficial visit last October.

According to 247Sports, Breland is currently positioned as the 6th-ranked player in the 2024 cycle, the 2nd-ranked defensive lineman, and the No-1 ranked player in California. Standing at 6-5 and 290 pounds, Breland recorded 24 tackles, 10.4 tackles for loss, and four sacks during his 2022 junior season at Mater Dei, just scratching the surface of his enormous potential in the future.

Breland’s length, speed, and tremendous power, combined with his length and postion versatility, has every program in the country vying for his attention. Still, this weekend, It’s Texas A&M’s turn (shared with Miami).

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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Everything Aggies Head Coach Jimbo Fisher said during his interview with CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd

Sporting his usual upbeat candor, Texas A&M Head coach Jimbo Fisher previewed the Aggies 2023 season with CBS Sports’s Dennis Dodd.

Texas A&M’s 2023 football season, one of the more anticipated campaigns after enduring one of the worst seasons in program history in 2022 (5-7, 2-6 SEC), is now only 40 days away. After SEC Media Days wrapped up last Friday, Head coach Jimbo Fisher made the interview rounds to give us a sneak preview of what lies ahead.

Entering Fisher’s sixth season with the program, 2022 has come and gone, but until vastly different results on the field come to fruition, preseason talking points are as useless as a glass hammer.

Last week, Fisher’s time at the podium during SEC Media Days witnessed a man on a mission focused on rebuilding A&M’s national image, and even though he continued to avoid directly stating if new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino this season, those of us covering the team and a bulk of the fanbase know that Petrino was hired to revamp the offense, and yes, call plays.

In one of his final interviews last week, Fisher sat down with CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd in the most in-depth back and forth this offseason, focusing on the state of the program from now on, Bobby Petrino’s positive effect on the team, and recruiting, and of course, discussing the progress of sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, who will be battling with senior Max Johnson for the starting postion as soon as Fall camp starts on Aug. 2.

Here is everything Jimbo Fisher had to say during his interview with Dennis Dodd.

Coach Jerry Johnson selected as a 2023 Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship participant

Texas A&M strength and conditioning coach picked to participate in Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Texans

The Houston Texans recently announced the participants that have been chosen to be a part of the 2023 Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the team. Texas A&M strength and conditioning coach Jerry Johnson will join the Texans serving in the same position this year.

The program is geared towards getting more minority coaches exposed to NFL clubs to grow the number of minority coaches in the NFL. The Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship has been around for over 30 years and has had several Aggies participate. The two most recent being Texas A&M Sports Performance Coach Bryant Harper Jr, who worked with the Green Bay Packers, then Former Texas A&M QB and current Houston Texans QB Coach Jerrod Johnson, was with a few teams between 2017-2019.

The Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship has the following mission statement:

Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL clubs participate each year. Specific aspects of the program — including hiring, compensation and coaching duties — are administered on a club-by-club basis”

Congrats to Coach Johnson on being selected to participate; we hope this experience leads to opportunities for him the in the future!

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.

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Texas A&M officially adds former Richmond OL Derek Ferraro as a preferred walk-on

Texas A&M has added former Richmond OL Derek Ferraro as a preferred walk-on, further adding more depth in the trenches.

One of the main areas of concern that can potentially plague Texas A&M’s rebound potential this season is the offensive line, a consistent weak link during last season’s 5-7 (2-6 SEC) 2022 debacle.

However, with added depth this offseason in like of 2023 commit, four-star OT Chase Bisontis, and former Boston College OL Finn Dirstine, the Aggies have also officially added former Rice and Richmond OT Derek Ferraro. As a member of the 2018 recruiting class, Ferraro was a three-star prospect and the 44th-ranked player in New York.

Ferraro, who spent four seasons at Rice, transferred to Richmond last season while appearing in nine games. Standing at 6-6 and 303 pounds, Ferraro announced his intentions to transfer to Texas A&M in early April. He is as experienced as they come and immediately provides depth at both tackle spots.

From left to right, all five starters on the O-line from the 2022 season, but as good as that sounds on paper, changes were made deep into the season due to injury and poor play, including then-freshman guard Kam Dewberry essentially cementing himself as the starting left guard in 2023. The strength of the line remains on the right side, as center Bryce Foster, right guard Layden Robinson, and right tackle Reuben Fatheree II look to stay healthy for the duration of the 12-game slate.

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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SEC Network CFB analyst Takeo Spikes has complete faith in a Texas A&M rebound in 2023

SEC Network CFB analyst Takeo Spikes is all in on Texas A&M rebounding in 2023, starting and ending with QB Conner Weigman.

Inevitably, Texas A&M’s 2023 football season is already filled with doubt after what we all witnessed in 2022, culminating in a 5-7 (2-6 SEC) misery train that had all of us who cover the program wondering how Jimbo Fisher and Co. would respond after what has been a successful offseason thus far. Still, as we all know, results on the field are all that matter from now on.

After the usual hoe hum of SEC Media Days last week, former start Auburn linebacker and current SEC Network CFB analyst Takeo Spikes is a firm believer in Texas A&M’s chances at not only rebounds from their five-win season but making some serious noise in what could be a somewhat down year in the SEC West.

I’m still a believer,” Spikes stated while appearing on SEC Now Monday. “I believe in Conner Weigman. I really do believe in him. You look at what he did over the last four games: eight touchdowns, no interceptions, did not turn the football over.”

Entering Jimbo Fisher’s sixth season with the program, the quarterback postion has been a continual question mark, especially in recruiting, as former Aggie signal caller Haynes King’s once bright future took a turn for the worst as injuries and poor play led to his offseason transfer to Georgia Tech, leading to the ascendance of former five-star prospect Conner Weigman’s coming out party in the latter half of last season.

Appearing in five games, Weigman threw for 896 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception for a 132.3 passer rating, taking over for an injured Max Johnson while going 2-2 as a starter.

After ending the season with a rousing 38-24 win over the then No.5-ranked LSU Tigers, Fisher’s confidence in Weigman and Johnson will make its way to fall camp next month. Still, as things stand, Conner Weigman’s high ceiling and end-of-season momentum bode well for his chances to open the 2023 campaign as the starter and hopefully provide an instant offensive spark behind new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s play-calling debut.

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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