Texas A&M has a case to be made for boasting the most talented wide receiver unit in all of college football, and the Aggie faithful aren’t the only ones backing up that claim.
In Pro Football Focus‘ ranking of the top-10 receiving corps in college football heading into the 2023 season, Texas A&M clocked in at No. 9 overall. The only SEC foes to register a better ranking were Georgia (No. 4) and LSU (No. 8). The Maroon and White sit one spot ahead of Alabama (No. 10).
According to PFF College Football Analyst Max Chadwick, the reasoning behind the Aggies’ No. 9 ranking lies in the volume of returning talent with immense upside:
“Evan Stewart immediately showed why he was a top-10 overall recruit, leading the Aggies with 643 receiving yards as a true freshman. The sky’s the limit for him in Year 2.
Moose Muhammad III was right behind him and tied for seventh among SEC receivers last year with 20 catches of 15-plus yards. Ainias Smith had his season cut short due to a broken fibula but led the Aggies in receiving during both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Texas A&M also returns Donovan Green, who was seventh among SEC tight ends with 233 receiving yards as just a true freshman in 2022.”
PFF rightly giving the Aggies receiving corps their flowers is a sight for sore eyes after some recent disrespect on social media. And in reality, their No. 9 ranking feels appropriate given the context. A&M ranked 95th in the country in passing last year (204.2 ypg), but truth be told a stagnant and unimaginative offense handicapped the talent level on the field.
That stands to change in 2023 with Bobby Petrino stepping in as the new offensive coordinator. Throughout Petrino’s coaching career, his offenses have averaged at least 400 yards in 16-of-20 seasons and 30 points per game in 15 seasons. His teams have eclipsed the 500-yard and 40-point thresholds five and three times, respectively.
The creativity of Petrino’s offensive scheme, which allows for multiple players to do damage from various spots on the field, will only maximize what Stewart, Smith, and Muhammad have to offer. Sophomore tight end Donovan Green is an added x-factor, as Graduate Max Wright teased how Petrino has a knack for disguising TEs through different formations.
It’s encouraging to see the likes of PFF understand the immense upside the Aggies receiving corps has heading into the fall. Yet with a talented trio in Stewart, Smith, and Muhammad leading the way, it’s not a stretch to say this unit could make a case for being top five, at least, once the 2023 season gets underway.
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