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QB decision nears...right?
For some reason, it didn't surprise me when Jimbo didn't announce his quarterback at the Wednesday press conference. It just seems like he's taking this at his own pace with no deadlines that he deems arbitrary. Now, having said that, there's a strong belief inside and outside of the program that Haynes King will be the guy. Jimbo himself hasn't let on to much, so it's not an absolute certainty that King gets the call -- but it'd be a shock if he didn't. An official statement on the decision could come down as soon as this weekend.
Post-camp projected two-deep (starters first, of course)
QB: Haynes King, Max Johnson
RB: Devon Achane, Amari Daniels
FB: Earnest Crownover
TE: Max Wright, Blake Smith (this does not mean Donovan Green and Jake Johnson won't play)
WR: Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad
WR: Ainias Smith, Yulkeith Brown
WR: Chase Lane, Chris Marshall
LT: Trey Zuhn, Dametrious Crownover
LG: Aki Ogunbiyi, Jordan Moko
C: Bryce Foster OR Matthew Wykoff
RG: Layden Robinson, Moko
RT: Deuce Fatheree, PJ Williams
Realistically, if there were to be an injury to Zuhn or Fatheree, Ogunbiyi would likely kick outside and Moko would come in at guard.
DE: Fadil Diggs, Shemar Stewart
DT: Isaiah Raikes, Shemar Turner
DT: McKinnley Jackson, Albert Regis OR Walter Nolen
DE: Tunmise Adeleye, Anthony Lucas
LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Tarian Lee
LB: Andre White, Chris Russell
Nickel: Antonio Johnson, Deuce Harmon
CB: Brian George, Tyreek Chappell
S: Demani Richardson, Jacoby Mathews
S: Jardin Gilbert, Mathews
CB: Jaylon Jones, Denver Harris
A few things here: Bryce Anderson has been out of practice for several weeks, which makes it impossible for me to project him playing. Jarred Kerr also hasn't been out there of late, so that puts Mathews at both safety spots. Chappell has also missed a good bit of time, but if he doesn't start, he'll be out there a whole lot. Experience seems to have won out at linebacker, which is an absolute positive because I wouldn't want to rush Martrell Harris, Ish Harris or Enai White out there before they're physically or mentally ready. Their time will definitely come.
Another thing to note is that, of this much-hyped class, only seven players are in the two deep and one is slated to start. I think a lot of national people will be shocked by this, and have underestimated the level of existing talent on the team. But what could make things very interesting, and exciting, is what happens as the season progresses and those true freshmen start to get used to major college football and play up to their potential.
What will the freshmen do this year?
Now that summer's over, let's look at how things are shaping up in terms of play/redshirt for this very good class.
QB Conner Weigman: Will play, but the coaching staff will likely try to keep him at four games to preserve his redshirt.
RB Le'Veon Moss: Likely a similar situation, but it's not impossible that he overtakes LJ Johnson for the third back spot.
TE Jake Johnson: Will play.
TE Donovan Green: Will play.
TE Theo Ohrstrom: Will likely redshirt.
OL Kam Dewberry: Will redshirt if possible.
OL Hunter Erb: Will redshirt.
OL Mark Nabou: Will redshirt.
OL PJ Williams: Is in the two-deep, but will be protected as much as humanly possible. So look for sporadic PT.
WR Evan Stewart: Will start.
WR Chris Marshall: Will play.
WR Noah Thomas: Will play.
DE Shemar Stewart: Will play.
DE Anthony Lucas: Will play.
DE LT Overton: I think they'd like to redshirt him, but that may not be possible. Injuries and pure talent could prevent it.
DT Walter Nolen: Will play.
DT Gabe Dindy: Will likely redshirt.
DE Malick Sylla: Will likely redshirt.
LB Martrell Harris: 50/50 on play/redshirt. Physically, he's more prepared than Ish Harris, who is still a bit slim (and is still learning linebacker)
LB Ish Harris: Likely redshirts.
LB Enai White: I could see him being used as a situational pass rusher, but I think they'd like to develop him further and redshirt him.
S Jacoby Mathews: Will play.
S Bryce Anderson: If healthy, will play.
S Jarred Kerr: Likely redshirt.
CB Denver Harris: Will play.
CB Smoke Bouie: Will play.
CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew: Will redshirt.
CB Bobby Taylor: Still recovering from an injury, which makes him a likely redshirt.
PK Ethan Mockzulski: Has not dressed out, much less kicked a ball, all summer. Redshirt.
A&M fully on board with a 9-game SEC schedule
This came out a little bit last week, but A&M and AD Ross Bjork have informed the SEC that they are on board with a 9-game conference schedule starting when the Big 12 defectors come over. But A&M has made it very clear they have want two things to happen as a result of this: annual games with LSU and Texas. The third opponent can be whoever, but LSU and Texas are not negotiable. So, that probably means Jimbo was right when he said what he wasn't expected to say, and the Aggies will get Mississippi State.
Anyway, the push for the 3-6 plan is really strong among most SEC programs and a consensus shouldn't be very hard to get. Schedule plans may not be announced for a while, but barring a huge change of heart (or mind) from multiple member schools, that's what it's going to be in 2024 or 2025 or whenever they show up.
Marshall making a rapid rise
It was only a couple of weeks ago when Chris Marshall was looking like he might not play for a while, as he dealt with nagging injuries and was pretty deep on the depth chart. Things have changed quickly. We're told Marshall was one of the standouts on offense in last Saturday's scrimmage, and he was bumped up in the rotation during practice last week. For those of you who don't know what that means, it goes like this. Projected starters work with the starters -- starting QB throws to starting receiver, in this case. Marshall was second in several receiver drills, meaning he was acting as a backup at that point.
If you look at A&M's starting receivers, they're not quite the Smurfs -- the Redskins receivers, minus Art Monk, were shorter than these guys -- but they're close. Evan Stewart is 5'11", Ainias is 5'10" and Chase Lane is generously listed at 6 feet. They're going to need some size on the outside, and that definitely points towards Marshall and Noah Thomas getting playing time. So don't be surprised if 10 is one of the receivers off the bench.
Cleveland's corner
When you pay for the sponsorship, you get a perk or two. So Mr. Cleveland asked me a question today: "Are we going to see more effective route combinations that actually scheme players open, or more of the same "gotta fit this ball in a 2 ft window" type stuff?"
The answer is that depends on two things: the comfort level Jimbo has with the quarterbacks and whether the receivers can get separation. When King played against Kent State last year, the Aggies used some routes they didn't use the rest of the season. They remained in the playbook for Colorado, but Zach Calzada clearly wasn't comfortable with them, so things got simplified significantly. Whether Haynes or Max wins the job, odds are those routes will be back in the playbook.
As for separation, I think that's why you semi-Smurfs starting. Stewart and Smith, especially, have exceptional cutting ability. Stewart's are next-level stuff; think Christian Kirk. They have the ability to get open. Marshall and Thomas are both extremely fast, if even they can't cut quite like the smaller guys. Jake Johnson and Donovan Green should bring more speed to the tight end position when they come in.
So, long answer to short question: there will likely be fewer tight throws to be made because the wideouts are more capable of getting open and the quarterbacks can get the ball to them.
Phone: 281-971-3362
Email: paul@westhoustonsf.com
QB decision nears...right?
For some reason, it didn't surprise me when Jimbo didn't announce his quarterback at the Wednesday press conference. It just seems like he's taking this at his own pace with no deadlines that he deems arbitrary. Now, having said that, there's a strong belief inside and outside of the program that Haynes King will be the guy. Jimbo himself hasn't let on to much, so it's not an absolute certainty that King gets the call -- but it'd be a shock if he didn't. An official statement on the decision could come down as soon as this weekend.
Post-camp projected two-deep (starters first, of course)
QB: Haynes King, Max Johnson
RB: Devon Achane, Amari Daniels
FB: Earnest Crownover
TE: Max Wright, Blake Smith (this does not mean Donovan Green and Jake Johnson won't play)
WR: Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad
WR: Ainias Smith, Yulkeith Brown
WR: Chase Lane, Chris Marshall
LT: Trey Zuhn, Dametrious Crownover
LG: Aki Ogunbiyi, Jordan Moko
C: Bryce Foster OR Matthew Wykoff
RG: Layden Robinson, Moko
RT: Deuce Fatheree, PJ Williams
Realistically, if there were to be an injury to Zuhn or Fatheree, Ogunbiyi would likely kick outside and Moko would come in at guard.
DE: Fadil Diggs, Shemar Stewart
DT: Isaiah Raikes, Shemar Turner
DT: McKinnley Jackson, Albert Regis OR Walter Nolen
DE: Tunmise Adeleye, Anthony Lucas
LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Tarian Lee
LB: Andre White, Chris Russell
Nickel: Antonio Johnson, Deuce Harmon
CB: Brian George, Tyreek Chappell
S: Demani Richardson, Jacoby Mathews
S: Jardin Gilbert, Mathews
CB: Jaylon Jones, Denver Harris
A few things here: Bryce Anderson has been out of practice for several weeks, which makes it impossible for me to project him playing. Jarred Kerr also hasn't been out there of late, so that puts Mathews at both safety spots. Chappell has also missed a good bit of time, but if he doesn't start, he'll be out there a whole lot. Experience seems to have won out at linebacker, which is an absolute positive because I wouldn't want to rush Martrell Harris, Ish Harris or Enai White out there before they're physically or mentally ready. Their time will definitely come.
Another thing to note is that, of this much-hyped class, only seven players are in the two deep and one is slated to start. I think a lot of national people will be shocked by this, and have underestimated the level of existing talent on the team. But what could make things very interesting, and exciting, is what happens as the season progresses and those true freshmen start to get used to major college football and play up to their potential.
What will the freshmen do this year?
Now that summer's over, let's look at how things are shaping up in terms of play/redshirt for this very good class.
QB Conner Weigman: Will play, but the coaching staff will likely try to keep him at four games to preserve his redshirt.
RB Le'Veon Moss: Likely a similar situation, but it's not impossible that he overtakes LJ Johnson for the third back spot.
TE Jake Johnson: Will play.
TE Donovan Green: Will play.
TE Theo Ohrstrom: Will likely redshirt.
OL Kam Dewberry: Will redshirt if possible.
OL Hunter Erb: Will redshirt.
OL Mark Nabou: Will redshirt.
OL PJ Williams: Is in the two-deep, but will be protected as much as humanly possible. So look for sporadic PT.
WR Evan Stewart: Will start.
WR Chris Marshall: Will play.
WR Noah Thomas: Will play.
DE Shemar Stewart: Will play.
DE Anthony Lucas: Will play.
DE LT Overton: I think they'd like to redshirt him, but that may not be possible. Injuries and pure talent could prevent it.
DT Walter Nolen: Will play.
DT Gabe Dindy: Will likely redshirt.
DE Malick Sylla: Will likely redshirt.
LB Martrell Harris: 50/50 on play/redshirt. Physically, he's more prepared than Ish Harris, who is still a bit slim (and is still learning linebacker)
LB Ish Harris: Likely redshirts.
LB Enai White: I could see him being used as a situational pass rusher, but I think they'd like to develop him further and redshirt him.
S Jacoby Mathews: Will play.
S Bryce Anderson: If healthy, will play.
S Jarred Kerr: Likely redshirt.
CB Denver Harris: Will play.
CB Smoke Bouie: Will play.
CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew: Will redshirt.
CB Bobby Taylor: Still recovering from an injury, which makes him a likely redshirt.
PK Ethan Mockzulski: Has not dressed out, much less kicked a ball, all summer. Redshirt.
A&M fully on board with a 9-game SEC schedule
This came out a little bit last week, but A&M and AD Ross Bjork have informed the SEC that they are on board with a 9-game conference schedule starting when the Big 12 defectors come over. But A&M has made it very clear they have want two things to happen as a result of this: annual games with LSU and Texas. The third opponent can be whoever, but LSU and Texas are not negotiable. So, that probably means Jimbo was right when he said what he wasn't expected to say, and the Aggies will get Mississippi State.
Anyway, the push for the 3-6 plan is really strong among most SEC programs and a consensus shouldn't be very hard to get. Schedule plans may not be announced for a while, but barring a huge change of heart (or mind) from multiple member schools, that's what it's going to be in 2024 or 2025 or whenever they show up.
Marshall making a rapid rise
It was only a couple of weeks ago when Chris Marshall was looking like he might not play for a while, as he dealt with nagging injuries and was pretty deep on the depth chart. Things have changed quickly. We're told Marshall was one of the standouts on offense in last Saturday's scrimmage, and he was bumped up in the rotation during practice last week. For those of you who don't know what that means, it goes like this. Projected starters work with the starters -- starting QB throws to starting receiver, in this case. Marshall was second in several receiver drills, meaning he was acting as a backup at that point.
If you look at A&M's starting receivers, they're not quite the Smurfs -- the Redskins receivers, minus Art Monk, were shorter than these guys -- but they're close. Evan Stewart is 5'11", Ainias is 5'10" and Chase Lane is generously listed at 6 feet. They're going to need some size on the outside, and that definitely points towards Marshall and Noah Thomas getting playing time. So don't be surprised if 10 is one of the receivers off the bench.
Cleveland's corner
When you pay for the sponsorship, you get a perk or two. So Mr. Cleveland asked me a question today: "Are we going to see more effective route combinations that actually scheme players open, or more of the same "gotta fit this ball in a 2 ft window" type stuff?"
The answer is that depends on two things: the comfort level Jimbo has with the quarterbacks and whether the receivers can get separation. When King played against Kent State last year, the Aggies used some routes they didn't use the rest of the season. They remained in the playbook for Colorado, but Zach Calzada clearly wasn't comfortable with them, so things got simplified significantly. Whether Haynes or Max wins the job, odds are those routes will be back in the playbook.
As for separation, I think that's why you semi-Smurfs starting. Stewart and Smith, especially, have exceptional cutting ability. Stewart's are next-level stuff; think Christian Kirk. They have the ability to get open. Marshall and Thomas are both extremely fast, if even they can't cut quite like the smaller guys. Jake Johnson and Donovan Green should bring more speed to the tight end position when they come in.
So, long answer to short question: there will likely be fewer tight throws to be made because the wideouts are more capable of getting open and the quarterbacks can get the ball to them.
