Every summer, legendary sports writer Phil Steele names his college football preseason All-American team, representing the entire college football landscape and giving a number of high-profile players the recognition they deserve as they continue to work towards their goals for the upcoming season.
For Texas A&M, the expectations have never been higher, and as many observers see the defense as the strength of the team, Steele believes otherwise, selecting three Aggies on the offensive side of the ball, and three names that every Texas A&M fan will likely agree deserves the most representation:
- Devon Achane (Fourth Team All-Purpose Back): During the 2020 season, tallied 43 rushes for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 5 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. He shared snaps with former Aggies running back, Isaiah Spiller, recording 130 rushes for 910 yards and 9 touchdowns, and 24 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown while returning a kick return for a touchdown against Alabama on October 9th
- Ainias Smith (Third Team Wide Reciever): Broke out as a receiver during the 2020 season, accumulating 43 receptions for 564 yards and 6 touchdowns, also running the ball 49 times for 293 yards for 4 touchdowns. He was the starting slot receiver during the 2021 season, recording 47 receptions for 509 yards and 6 touchdowns, and notching 8 rushing attempts for 26 yards on the year. He was also the primary punt returner, returning 23 punts for 259 yards and a touchdown.
- 3. Layden Robinson (Second Team Offensive guard): During the 2020 season, Robinson appeared in 10 games, playing 32 snaps at the right guard position, starting at right guard the next season in a permanent fashion. Robinson had his best season to date in 2021, starting 10 of 12 games (sustained an injury that resulted in two missed games) at the right guard spot, and was recognized by the coaching staff at the end of the season with the Offensive Toughness Award and Offensive Aggie Award for strength & conditioning at the annual Aggie football team banquet at the end of the season. Robinson is one of the top offensive line prospects going into the 2022 season.
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