Tag: Will Lee Jr.

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 HC Mike Elko’s cornerback haul from the transfer portal might define the Aggies 2024 season

After landing five cornerbacks through the transfer portal, Texas A&M 2023 weakness may have become a strength heading into 2024.

The totality of Texas A&M’s 2024 Transfer Portal additions has been nothing short of spectacular, as new head coach Mike Elko has addressed nearly every position group after quickly examining the strengths and weaknesses the roster presented during the Aggies’ loss to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl last month.

Defensively, several losses to the portal led by former five-star DL Walter Nolen (transferred to Ole Miss) and EDGE Fadil Diggs (transferred to Syracuse) led Elko and his staff to make one of the splashier moves the offseason after acquiring star pass rusher and Bryan, Texas native Nic Scourton, who, in just his second seasons at Purdue led the Big Ten in sacks (10) last season.

However, the five cornerback additions, including Will Lee Jr. (Kansas State), Dezz Ricks (Alabama), Jaydon Hill (Florida), BJ Mayes (UAB), and Donovan Saunders (Cal Poly) will likely have a more significant impact on next seasons results more than the defensive line, as last year’s lack of size, depth and experience gave way to multiple opposing receivers accounting for 100-plus yard outings, including 213 yards for Ole Miss WR Tre Watson.

On paper, Will Lee Jr. (6’3″), who started every game last season for Kansas State, recorded a 76.2 PFF coverage grade and looks like a “plug and play” option. At the same time, UAB transfer BJ Mayes (6’1″) also brings the height, length, and man coverage ability that was dreadfully lacking in the secondary in all of A&M’s 6 losses in 2023.

Former Alabama cornerback Dezz Ricks (6’1″) brings the most potential at the spot, as the No.2-ranked cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class has a chance to immediately earn a starting/rotational spot on the outside due to talent alone, getting a chance to suit up as soon as spring football begins.

Depth-wise, Donovan Saunders (6’3″) brings a year of starting experience on the boundary, while Jaydon Hill will likely see time in the slot as he did last season with the Gators. Lastly, returning cornerbacks Jaylon Thomas, Bravion Rogers and Sam McCall may have struggled when thrown into the fire last season. However, the talent is still there, and new CB coach Ishmael Aristide possesses the coaching chops to help aid their transition into year two.

With a bevy of potential offensive juggernauts in SEC next season, including the Texas Longhorns, it’s no surprise that Elko had made these moves in droves.

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Former Kansas State CB Will Lee III will reportedly visit Texas A&M this weekend

It has been reported that former Kansas State cornerback Will Lee Jr. will visit Texas A&M on Friday.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko knows that to compete in today’s college football landscape, utilizing the transfer portal is an absolute must, as the Aggies have already lost 11 players to the portal, including multiple starters on defense.

After the news that starting cornerback Tyreek Chappell, who has been with the program for three seasons, had entered his name, a sudden need at the position became imminent, and former Kansas State CB Will Lee Jr. is the No. 1 name that should be on Elko’s list of possible replacements.

Lee, who spent last season with the Wildcats after transferring in from Iowa Western (JUCO), recorded 42 tackles, 32 solo tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions on the year, including nine tackles in KState’s loss to Texas late this season. Standing at 6’3″, Lee has the size and speed to start for the Aggies immediately next season, as the cornerback room is very young and lean.

The feeling is apparently mutual, as AggiesToday reported that Lee is set to visit Elko and his staff in College Station on Friday, Dec. 8, while Oregon, Louisville, and Washington are still in the mix.

New Texas A&M cornerback coach Ishmael Aristide spent a couple of seasons under Elko during his time as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator, bringing a successful development track record at the position, including Duke All-American CB Chandler Rivers, who is also a possible candidate to follow Elko and Aristade to Texas A&M.

For what it’s worth, new Aggies OC Collin Klein, who holds deep ties to Kansas State during his playing and coaching days, could also significantly influence Lee’s visit.

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.