Tag: Tyreek Chappell

Texas A&M’s Week 4 depth chart has been released ahead of facing Bowling Green

Texas A&M’s Week 4 depth chart reveals little change ahead of Saturday’s home test vs. Bowling Green

Texas A&M’s critical SEC road win against the Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon was the program’s first conference road win since the 2021 season and head coach Mike Elko’s first SEC victory.

Heading into next Saturday’s home test vs. Bowling Green on Saturday night, the Aggies are heavy favorites, but don’t forget that this MAC team nearly pulled off an epic upset over a top-ten-ranked Penn State team in Beaver Stadium to open the 2024 season.

On Monday, Elko, along with running back EJ Smith, defensive tackle Albert Regis, and former Bowling Green defensive lineman Cashius Howell, spoke to the media two days after the win. Howell’s experience with the program should give the Aggies an upper hand on Saturday.

“I know how Power 5 schools go into these lower conference-level games. Every year I was at BG, we had an upset over a higher conference school. … They’re going to come in here ready to go to work and get after us.”

“I’ve been telling all my teammates and coaches that for a long time.”

Before the press conference, Texas A&M’s Week 4 depth chart was released to the public just a week after it was announced that starting nickel corner Tyreek Chappell would miss the season due to injury. This vaulted former Flordia corner Jaydon Hill into the starting lineup.

More standard than surprise, quarterback Conner Weigman, who missed the Florida game due to a shoulder injury, is still listed as the starter but is currently day-to-day going into this week’s practice. If Weigman is not 100%, it’s more likely than not that redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed will make his second consecutive start this weekend.

https://twitter.com/texags/status/1835699333968035923?s=61&t=DwC_Ptrg_8G_wpAQClJgDA

Texas A&M will host Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 21. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and SEC Network+.

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Texas A&M’s initial injury report ahead of facing Bowling Green

Here is Texas A&M’s initial injury report ahead of taking on Bowling Green this weekend

Texas A&M’s 33-20 win over the Florida Gators was one to remember, even though it was against an average defense and a two-quarterback system that caused more confusion than success for the home team.

Due to his nagging shoulder injury, redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed made his first career start with starting quarterback Conner Weigman on the sidelines. With an elite running game, Reed’s duel-threat ability opened up OC Collin Klein’s playbook, while the Aggie running game accounted for 310 yards on the ground.

Dominating from start to finish, injuries still occurred as starting center Koli Faaiu left the game with an undisclosed injury. Still, during Monday’s press conference, head coach Mike Elko stated that he is going into the week day-to-day.

Other injuries include reserve safety Trey Jones, who missed the game but should be available to return to practice this week. However, Elko confirmed last week that senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell is out for the year after sustaining an injury in last week’s practice, as former Florida corner Jaydon Hill will likely replace his snaps at nickel.

However, Conner Weigman’s AC joint injury will continue to dominate the headlines this week. Elko stated on Monday that he is also day-to-day and could head into Saturday’s game vs. Bowling Green as a game-time decision for the second consecutive week.

We’re going to re-image it to make sure there’s nothing there that we’re missing and make sure we have the right plan in place.”

“We’ll sit down with our medical team this evening and come up with the right plan and course of action for this week.”

While Marcel Reed’s A+ performance against Florida should lead to another crack at the starting job, it might be inevitable to give Weigman as much time as possible to get back to full health before any true quarterback conversation takes place.

Texas A&M will host Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 21. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and SEC Network+.

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Updated injury report following Texas A&M’s 33-20 win over Florida

Here is Texas A&M’s injury report following Saturday’s win over Florida

Texas A&M (2-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated the Florida Gators (1-2, 0-1 SEC) 33-20 on Saturday afternoon, as redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed was lights out in his first career start, accounting for three touchdowns. At the same time, the running game produced 300-plus yards on the ground.

Before kickoff, it was announced that starting quarterback Conner Weigman would miss the game due to a shoulder injury sustained during the season-opening loss against Notre Dame. This injury led to Reed’s first career start.

However, starting nickel cornerback, Tyreek Chappell also missed the game, leading head coach Mike Elko to reveal that the senior is out for the season, while Weigman is day-to-day going into the week.

“Obviously, (Tyreek) Chappell is out for the year, non-contact lower leg, and Trey Jones is an upper body thing. I expect him back soon. ”

“With Conner (Weigman), it’s an AC in the shoulder. It happened in the Notre Dame game… This week, he had a full practice on Wednesday but had a setback on Thursday.”

Safety Trey Jones is expected to return to the lineup sooner rather than later. Starting center Koli Faaiu also sustained an in-game injury on Saturday, but according to Elko, it doesn’t look like a long-term issue.

“Koli (Faaiu) did suffer an injury in-game.”

“We don’t think it’s long term.”

However, despite an unnecessary penality on Saturday, backup center TJ Shanahan played very well in his absence, proving the immense depth along the offensive line.

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Friday’s injury update shows little change ahead of Texas A&M vs. Florida

Conner Weigman remains questionable to play vs. Florida on Saturday afternoon

Texas A&M’s (1-1) week 3 SEC road matchup against Florida looms large, as the Aggies arrived in Gainsville on Friday afternoon to prepare for tomorrow’s critical showdown.

The Aggies enter the game with a 10-game conference road losing streak. New head coach Mike Elko understands that winning on the road in the SEC is very tough, as he was part of the Aggie staff during their last win against Missouri during the 2021 season.

While A&M is a slight four-point favorite, a lot of that hinges on the health of starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who has been listed as questionable to play on Saturday since Wednesday’s injury report was released, as the redshirt sophomore has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. As of Friday, Weigman remains questionable.

The news that starting Nickel corner Tyreek Chappell will be out for a rumored extended period could be more impactful as Florida’s offense under both quarterbacks Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway could take advantage of the loss. However, Mertz has been announced as the team’s starter.

If Weigman can’t play, sophomore duel-threat quarterback Marcel Reed is expected to make his first start this season after playing the entire second half in the win against McNeese State. A final injury report will be released 90 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff.

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’s newest injury report includes a suprising addition

Texas A&M’s newest injury report features several new names, including QB Conner Weigman

Texas A&M’s week 3 matchup takes the Aggies on the road against the Florida Gators in the swamp, which looks like the team’s biggest challenge since their opening-season loss to Notre Dame.

This week, the storyline has been the health of both programs, as the first official mandated player availability features over a dozen Florida players who will either miss the game or are questionable to play, including star wide receiver Eugene Wilson.

For the Aggies, outside of OL Mark Nabou and running back Ruben Owens, who is out for the season, linebacker Scooby Williams was the only starter listed as questionable after missing last weekend’s win over McNeese State. However, things have changed after the most recent practice.

In the newest report, starting quarterback Conner Weigman has been added to the list as questionable, while starting cornerback Tyreek Chappell and safety Trey Jones are listed as out. Chappell’s injury is rumored to be long term according to a source.

Per the designated rules, here is what every term ranging from out, doubtful, questionable, and probable means:

  • Out: 0% chance to play
  • Doubtful: 25% chance to play
  • Questionable: 50% chance to play
  • Probable: 75% chance to play

I’d expect Weigman to suit up unless he is dealing with something more significant, but the losses of Chappell and Jones put a hole in the Aggie secondary ahead of the game. If Weigman cannot go, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed will make his first start of the season.

https://twitter.com/texags/status/1834391671984783427?s=61&t=LmGBGBPkKR4lwNbGUOTPjQ

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’s secondary is slowly but surely coming together

Texas A&M’s cornerback/safety rotation continues to play with confidence

Former head coach Jimbo Fisher can partially blame the shaky secondary he put on the field during his final season with the program, as more than half of Texas A&M’s losses last season were due to 100-plus yard performances from receivers taking full advantage of the lack of speed and length on the boundary.

New head coach Mike Elko immediately diagnosed the problem after watching the film, especially in last season’s loss to Alabama, as former wide receiver Jermaine Burton wrecked the Aggie secondary for 9 catches, 197 yards, and two touchdowns.

Knowing that the transfer portal was the only answer combined with young cornerbacks and safeties on the roster, Elko landed seven corner and safety transfers, led by former Kansas State CB Will Lee III, who has been one of the program’s top performers over the last two games.

After Saturday’s 52-10 win over McNeese State, Lee spoke to the media after recording his first interception with the program. He noted how the secondary is playing more aggressively while gaining confidence with tougher matchups ahead.

“We are more aggressive and communicative. We ended up being more focused on locked on everything we are supposed to do. I feel like that showed in our play today.”

One of the biggest moves this offseason was Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman opting to move junior defensive back Bryce Anderson back to safety full-time. With the addition of safeties Trey Jones and Marcus Ratcliffe, the Aggies are one of the more athletic defensive backfields in the conference and should only get better as the season rolls on.

After two games, Texas A&M’s pass defense is ranked 33rd nationally, with two interceptions and 257 passing yards allowed thus far.

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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‘I think it will be a real strength’ Texas A&M’s cornerback room is taking shape

Texas A&M’s cornerback room is loaded, led by former Alabama CB Dezz Ricks who has looked the part during fall camp

As Texas A&M’s fall practice period enters its final stages before the Aggies prepare for the 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame, head coach Mike Elko, alongside offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, spoke to the local media after the program’s 14th fall practice on Saturday.

Ahead of the team’s final fall scrimmage on Sunday, Bateman, who has received praise for his coaching tactics from multiple players, discussed the immense progress made by A&M’s cornerback room, which features five new veterans from the transfer portal, including former Alabama CB Dezz Ricks.

Ricks, a 5-star prospect out of the prestigious IMG Academy in the 2023 recruiting class, left Tuscaloosa after one season, knowing that joining two of the best defensive minds in Collge Station was the right move for his playing career. According to Bateman, Ricks has consistently stood out this month, as his elite traits have shown up throughout the fall period.

“Dezz (Ricks), we have been really impressed with… Every practice he continued to impress, and he is really talented.”

“That corner room is really competitive, and I think it will be a real strength.”

Reading the term “strength” being associated with Texas A&M’s cornerback rotation is certainly a positive change of pace compared to last season’s ugly results. Senior corner Tyreek Chappell also noted that with the added depth, speed, and length at the outside corner and nickel, this unit has plenty of juice to be formidable and match up against any offense.

“A shutdown, lockdown secondary… I believe we can be the best defense in the league this year.”

No. 20-ranked Texas A&M will host No. 7-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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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.

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With Tyreek Chappell’s return, how deep is the Aggies’ cornerback room?

With the official return of cornerback Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M’s CB room is now a predominant strength compared to last season.

Texas A&M and head football coach Mike Elko received more good news regarding next season’s roster, as incoming senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell, who entered the transfer portal in December, removed his name and will officially return for the 2024 campaign.

This offseason, Elko, who watched the Aggies’ dismal defensive performance against Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, was well aware of last season’s consistent struggles in the secondary due to the lack of depth, talent, and overall size at the cornerback position.

Needing to rebuild the cornerback room, Elko dominated in the open market, adding five veteran CBs from the portal, including Will Lee Jr., Dezz Ricks, Donovan Saunders, Jaydon Hill, and BJ Mayes.

While Chappell isn’t the biggest corner, he was by far the most competent defender on the boundary over the last two seasons. For those unaware, Elko helped recruit him to College Station back in 2021 during his time as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, right before he departed for Duke.

Including returning second-year cornerbacks Bravion Rogers and Jayvon Thomas, two players who are bound to improve after their “baptism by fire” 2023 season, Texas A&M’s cornerback room now looks like a predominant strength heading into spring football next month.

Making some predictions, here’s what the secondary depth chart might look like in 2024 after Tyreek Chappell’s return.

Texas A&M defensive back withdraws from the portal

Here is some good news for the Aggies defense.

The Texas A&M Aggies and head coach Mike Elko received some positive news on Friday as defensive back Tyreek Chappell withdrew from the transfer portal.

Chappell officially entered the portal on Dec. 6, following the completion of the regular season. He has accumulated 105 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 24 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery during his three seasons in College Station.

His return gives the defense some experience on the backend for next season. Chappell appeared in 33 games over the past three years per Sports Reference.

Chappell should once again be in the rotation for a starting defensive back role under Mike Elko, who is familiar with the third-year player. Elko ran the defense under Jimbo Fisher during Chappell’s freshman season in 2021. Following the season, Elko left for the head coach vacancy at Duke.

The defensive back room will have plenty of talent as the Aggies look to be among the top contenders in the new-look SEC that welcomes former conference mates, Oklahoma and Texas in the upcoming season.