Throughout Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher’s tenure with the program, the offensive line, outside of the 2020 season featuring a veteran-led group with NFL potential, has been consistently underwhelming. Through the halfway point of the 2023 campaign, the current starting five have taken a notable step in the wrong direction. Here was the Aggies starting five in the trenches against the Tide:
- Left tackle: RS sophomore Trey Zuhn
- Left guard: Sophomore Mark Nabou
- Center: RS sophomore Bryce Foster
- Left guard: Senior Layden Robinson
- Right tackle: Freshman Chase Bisontis
On Saturday afternoon, Texas A&M fell to the visiting Alabama Crimson Tide 26-20 in a game where the Aggies led 17-10 at the half. Led by backup quarterback Max Johnson, the offensive line held up through two quarters, utilizing a “bend but don’t break’ like-game plan, keeping Johnson clean for the most part in pass protection during the Aggies’ three scoring drives.
However, as Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele adjusted his elite defense in the second half, Johnson became well acquainted with the grass for the rest of the afternoon, pressured on 52.9% of his 34 dropbacks for the 7th most in Week 6. Sustaining five sacks (12 allowed this season), the Aggies’ struggling O-line failed to hold their blocks long enough to provide Johnson even the average amount of time to work through his progressions.
Texas A&M received a 33.7 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus against Alabama yesterday.
It’s the second lowest grade the Aggies have received this season for any phase, behind the 32.1 grade they received for tackling against Miami.
— 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕤 𝕃. 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 (@Travis_L_Brown) October 8, 2023
According to PFF, starting center Bryce Foster received a 31.2 grade in pass protection, second lowest in the starting five, to RT Chase Bisontis’s 17.4 grade, one of the weakest in the country. Even worse, right guard Layden Robinson (40.6) and left tackle Trey Zuhn (55.4) took a steep decline from their performance against Arkansas last in Week 5. While Bisontis’s struggles in his first season are alarming, he remains the only option before right tackle Reuben Fatheree is deemed to return. However, sophomore Dametrious Crownover has shown some ability.
Mark Nabou Jr. finished with the highest starting grade in pass protection at left guard with a 72.6 mark, his highest PFF rating in pass pro this season, reigniting the debate regarding changes in the interior, specifically switching Nabou back to center for the rest of the season.
Since earning the starting center spot as a freshman in 2021, Bryce Foster has dealt with a rash of lower body injuries that have hindered his development, leading to his worst performance of the year. While Nabou isn’t perfect, his lone start at center against UL Monroe yielded a 63.6 pass pro-grade, similar to his guard production but substantially better than Foster’s performance.
This doesn’t completely erase Foster’s future as a starter, as his noted size and versatility provide an opening at guard. Still, if Nabou were to make the switch, sophomore guard Kam Dewberry likely deserves a shot to pick up where he left off in 2022. Look, this all falls at the feet of Aggies offensive line coach Steve Adazzio, whose coaching seat has progressively heated up after yesterday’s results, so if any progress is to be made with six games remaining, it’s time to shake things up.
Texas A&M will travel to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Neyland Stadium (TV: CBS).
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