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Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
Fisher provides D-line clarity; Adeleye one to watch
Jimbo Fisher provided some insight into the defensive line situation Thursday, when he mentioned Shemar Turner with the defensive tackles and freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy with the defensive ends.
That’s a mild surprise on both counts, but not a shock. Turner played the majority of his snaps at defensive tackle last year, and Dindy is perfectly capable of filling the role of a big defensive end – even though he’s out for spring practice.
But the player to watch up front this spring will be Tunmise Adeleye. Fisher singled him out for an extremely impressive performance in the offseason program and we’ve heard much the same. Adeleye is massive at nearly 300 pounds, but he has the speed to handle an end position. We would not be at all surprised if he comes out with the first team for the first practice and stays there.
Who leads for the other DE spot?
If Adeleye does grab one of the end positions and Turner’s staying inside, then the other end spot is wide open. If anyone has an edge up right now, it’s Fadil Diggs, who performed well as a reserve last year (9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack). But Fisher made it clear that everyone’s in the mix, including Elijah Jeudy, Jahzion Harris, Braedon Mowry and Anthony Lucas.
King back in more ways that one
The quarterback competition begins again in earnest next week, but redshirt sophomore Haynes King has impressed during offseason conditioning over the past month. King is not only fully healthy and running at full speed again, but he’s become a team leader in the weight room and on the field. He had command of the huddle last year before he got hurt, but he’s expanded his leadership role. Max Johnson has come in and acclimated himself quickly and has also shown the desired leadership qualities. Both earned maroon jerseys this spring, which meant they were approaching their work at a “championship” level.
O-line set for now
Even though Bryce Foster won’t be taking part in spring ball because of track, a couple of moves seem to have sorted out who’s going to play where (at least at this point). Aki Ogunbiyi moved outside to tackle after he returned from injury last year, and he’s staying there for the time being. He’ll get some snaps at guard, but Blake Trainor is now the likely starting left guard. That makes sense, considering Trainor played well at guard last year when given the chance. At this point, it looks like Trainor and Ogunbiyi have switched roles. Matthew Wykoff should take the majority of snaps at center this spring in Foster’s absence.
Just in case you need a refresher: Deuce Fatheree and Trey Zuhn at the two tackle spots (sides TBD), Trainor at left guard, Foster at center (this fall, not in the spring) and Layden Robinson at right guard.
Antonio Johnson not set at one position
Earlier this offseason, I suggested that Antonio Johnson has the ability to be A&M’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and fill a lot of roles in the secondary – and, as a result, keeping him just at safety would be a waste. Apparently the coaching staff agrees, because Johnson is going to move around this year. He’ll play nickel, he’ll play safety, he may even play the role of the third safety in the dime defense. It’ll depend on the opponent and the needs of the defense.
Gilbert emerging
One reason the coaches feel comfortable letting AJ move around is the emergence of Jardin Gilbert. Gilbert took over as the third safety last year when Keldrick Carper and Brian Williams were hurt, and he played well enough to force Erick Young to the bench and, eventually, the transfer portal. Gilbert has been very impressive in the offseason program and his speed has raised eyebrows. He looks like he’s set to be (at worst) the third safety and should see considerable playing time if his improvement continues.
One 5-star out, one 5-star in?
With the seemingly certain departure of Demond Demas (legal and academic issues), the Aggies need another starting receiver. Caleb Chapman is hurt again, making the competition even more wide open.
Could Evan Stewart win it?
Stewart drew raves from Fisher in his Thursday press conference, and you know he’s not one to shower positive reviews on true freshmen unless they’re knocking it out of the box. He said Stewart and nickel Bryce Anderson are two freshmen that have looked extremely good so far and have caught onto the things the program thinks are important.
In the case of Stewart: he’s figuring out the playbook and he’s blocking.
Fisher went out of his way to say Devin Price and Kenyon Jackson are two other players he wants to get a better look at, but we’ve seen what Stewart can do pretty recently. And it was impressive.
Opportunity for an old hand and fresh faces
With Jaylon Jones and Brian George out for the spring, there’s a big opening at cornerback. And that’s just what the doctor ordered for Myles Jones, who is trying to get his starting job back after suffering a foot injury last year that wiped out almost his entire season. If Jones plays as well as he did in 2020, it’ll be tough to justify taking him off the field.
Three other players are going to get long looks too: Josh Moten, who looked really good until tearing his ACL in an open practice last spring, and freshmen Denver Harris and Bobby Taylor. It would have been tough to get everyone a look if all hands were available, but this is a chance to get Jones, Moten, Harris and Taylor on the field quickly to see if they’re going to be able to contribute this year.
A Friday Visitor (Courtney)
Denison, TX, 2024 safety Kenyan Kelly
March 26th Kelly will be visiting Oklahoma. Kelly already holds offers from the Sooners, Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Marshall.
Last season Kelly had 92 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 fumbles recovered and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown.
Notes from the NFL Combine (Courtney)
Isaiah Spiller
Kenyon Green
Jaylen Wydermyer
Leon O'Neal and the safeties have yet to work out, but he said he's already met "several times" with the San Francisco 49ers.
Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
Fisher provides D-line clarity; Adeleye one to watch
Jimbo Fisher provided some insight into the defensive line situation Thursday, when he mentioned Shemar Turner with the defensive tackles and freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy with the defensive ends.
That’s a mild surprise on both counts, but not a shock. Turner played the majority of his snaps at defensive tackle last year, and Dindy is perfectly capable of filling the role of a big defensive end – even though he’s out for spring practice.
But the player to watch up front this spring will be Tunmise Adeleye. Fisher singled him out for an extremely impressive performance in the offseason program and we’ve heard much the same. Adeleye is massive at nearly 300 pounds, but he has the speed to handle an end position. We would not be at all surprised if he comes out with the first team for the first practice and stays there.
Who leads for the other DE spot?
If Adeleye does grab one of the end positions and Turner’s staying inside, then the other end spot is wide open. If anyone has an edge up right now, it’s Fadil Diggs, who performed well as a reserve last year (9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack). But Fisher made it clear that everyone’s in the mix, including Elijah Jeudy, Jahzion Harris, Braedon Mowry and Anthony Lucas.
King back in more ways that one
The quarterback competition begins again in earnest next week, but redshirt sophomore Haynes King has impressed during offseason conditioning over the past month. King is not only fully healthy and running at full speed again, but he’s become a team leader in the weight room and on the field. He had command of the huddle last year before he got hurt, but he’s expanded his leadership role. Max Johnson has come in and acclimated himself quickly and has also shown the desired leadership qualities. Both earned maroon jerseys this spring, which meant they were approaching their work at a “championship” level.
O-line set for now
Even though Bryce Foster won’t be taking part in spring ball because of track, a couple of moves seem to have sorted out who’s going to play where (at least at this point). Aki Ogunbiyi moved outside to tackle after he returned from injury last year, and he’s staying there for the time being. He’ll get some snaps at guard, but Blake Trainor is now the likely starting left guard. That makes sense, considering Trainor played well at guard last year when given the chance. At this point, it looks like Trainor and Ogunbiyi have switched roles. Matthew Wykoff should take the majority of snaps at center this spring in Foster’s absence.
Just in case you need a refresher: Deuce Fatheree and Trey Zuhn at the two tackle spots (sides TBD), Trainor at left guard, Foster at center (this fall, not in the spring) and Layden Robinson at right guard.
Antonio Johnson not set at one position
Earlier this offseason, I suggested that Antonio Johnson has the ability to be A&M’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and fill a lot of roles in the secondary – and, as a result, keeping him just at safety would be a waste. Apparently the coaching staff agrees, because Johnson is going to move around this year. He’ll play nickel, he’ll play safety, he may even play the role of the third safety in the dime defense. It’ll depend on the opponent and the needs of the defense.
Gilbert emerging
One reason the coaches feel comfortable letting AJ move around is the emergence of Jardin Gilbert. Gilbert took over as the third safety last year when Keldrick Carper and Brian Williams were hurt, and he played well enough to force Erick Young to the bench and, eventually, the transfer portal. Gilbert has been very impressive in the offseason program and his speed has raised eyebrows. He looks like he’s set to be (at worst) the third safety and should see considerable playing time if his improvement continues.
One 5-star out, one 5-star in?
With the seemingly certain departure of Demond Demas (legal and academic issues), the Aggies need another starting receiver. Caleb Chapman is hurt again, making the competition even more wide open.
Could Evan Stewart win it?
Stewart drew raves from Fisher in his Thursday press conference, and you know he’s not one to shower positive reviews on true freshmen unless they’re knocking it out of the box. He said Stewart and nickel Bryce Anderson are two freshmen that have looked extremely good so far and have caught onto the things the program thinks are important.
In the case of Stewart: he’s figuring out the playbook and he’s blocking.
Fisher went out of his way to say Devin Price and Kenyon Jackson are two other players he wants to get a better look at, but we’ve seen what Stewart can do pretty recently. And it was impressive.
Opportunity for an old hand and fresh faces
With Jaylon Jones and Brian George out for the spring, there’s a big opening at cornerback. And that’s just what the doctor ordered for Myles Jones, who is trying to get his starting job back after suffering a foot injury last year that wiped out almost his entire season. If Jones plays as well as he did in 2020, it’ll be tough to justify taking him off the field.
Three other players are going to get long looks too: Josh Moten, who looked really good until tearing his ACL in an open practice last spring, and freshmen Denver Harris and Bobby Taylor. It would have been tough to get everyone a look if all hands were available, but this is a chance to get Jones, Moten, Harris and Taylor on the field quickly to see if they’re going to be able to contribute this year.
A Friday Visitor (Courtney)
Denison, TX, 2024 safety Kenyan Kelly
March 26th Kelly will be visiting Oklahoma. Kelly already holds offers from the Sooners, Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Marshall.
Last season Kelly had 92 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 fumbles recovered and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown.
Notes from the NFL Combine (Courtney)
Isaiah Spiller
- Height 6-foot
- Weight 217-pounds
- Arms 31 3/4”
- 8 5/8”
Kenyon Green
- Height 6-foot-4
- Weight 328-pounds
- Arms 31 1/8”
- Hands 10 3/8”
Jaylen Wydermyer
- Height 6-foot-4
- Weight 255-pounds
- Arms 33 1/8”
- Hands 9 3/4”
Leon O'Neal and the safeties have yet to work out, but he said he's already met "several times" with the San Francisco 49ers.
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