Texas A&M’s 2024 season kicks off on Saturday afternoon. New head coach Mike Elko will face a familiar opponent: 7th-ranked Notre Dame will head to College Station for the first time in 20-plus years, as both programs last faced each other during the 2001 season.
During his last two seasons as Duke’s head coach, Elko faced the Fighting Irish last season, falling 21-14 in a memorable contest that featured a bulk of the current 2024 Notre Dame defense that takes the field this weekend.
Even more intriguing, Elko will face his former Duke starting quarterback after Riley Leonard transferred to South Bend early in the offseason.
After a successful fall practice slate, Texas A&M’s 2024 roster is all but set. The Week 1 depth chart has been released to the public, and there are several surprises on offense, especially across the offensive line.
Texas A&M football’s tentative two-deep depth chart ahead of Saturday night’s showdown with No. 7 Notre Dame 👍 #GigEm pic.twitter.com/LHlTwVCw1V
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) August 26, 2024
Overall, the left side of the line with Trey Zuhn starting at left tackle and sophomore Chase Bistontis starting at left guard was expected, paired with the center battle between Kolinu’nu Faaiu and Mark Nabou, which is still ongoing this week, per the “<OR>” symbol.
However, many of us expected former Kansas guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams to take over at right tackle, but instead, he will stay at right guard to take advantage of his size and strength. According to the depth chart, junior tackle Dametreous Crownover has likely earned the start right tackle job, but senior tackle Reuben Fatheree II could still end up starting in Week 1.
Defensively, defensive tackles DJ Hicks and Albert Regis are battling for the second tackle spot, while the second linebacker job is still up for grabs, with former Pitt LB Solomon DeSheilds currently in the lead.
At cornerback, former Florida CB Jaydon Hill will miss the first half of Saturday’s game due to a targeting penalty dating back to last season, placing senior Tyreek Chappell as the starter at nickel. On the outside, Will Lee III is the only corner who has secured a starting job.
One last interesting note: starting running back Le’Veon Moss is currently listed as the first team kick returner, while freshman Terry Bussey will likely start out as the team’s primary punt returner. With sophomore RB Rueben Owens out for the season, placing as a kick returner isn’t the best idea.
No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT. and will air on ABC.
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