Not a lot this week, but something to hold you over until Santa arrives:
A&M was in a bad way thanks to injuries, opt-outs and COVID
No matter what you read from some people (and yes, that's pointed at one individual), the Aggies weren't ducking anyone. They were down to 38 scholarship players when the decision was made to step out of the Gator Bowl. Could they have really played? Yes, but the CDC and NCAA made it virtually impossible, because no exception is made for asymptomatic players. Which is stupid, and the NBA and NFL are now changing their protocols to do so. But, as it stands now, you pop a positive and you're out for 10 days.
Ok, so A&M entered the bowl season with 82 scholarship players. Antonio Doyle had left and Keldrick Carper and Brian Williams were forced to retire due to injuries. Then Zach Calzada bailed (81), and DeMarvin Leal, Isaiah Spiller, Jalen Wydermyer, Kenyon Green, Leon O'Neal and Jayden Peevy decided they'd sit out and prepare for the draft (80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75).
Myles Jones and Brian George were already lost for the year on defense (74, 73). Luke Matthews, Ainias Smith and Caleb Chapman were out on offense (72, 71, 70). Odds are Haynes King wasn't going to play either (69).
Two players had COVID symptoms and tested positive (67, 66). Then they tested players to make sure they didn't go home and spread COVID to their families and at least 20 scholarship players were positive (46). It's not at all unrealistic to think there were more positives, more injuries and more transfers we don't know about (or I just forgot. It's Christmas Eve).
That's way, way below the 53-man NCAA requirement. They had a total of 13 players on defense. But they did have four kickers healthy, all the more evidence kickers need to get out more.
One area that could provide the edge in the QB competition
Decisiveness in the pocket. One of the reasons King won the job over Calzada was he got the ball out of his hands faster. We saw, repeatedly, Calzada's indecisiveness and it proved costly in several losses. Whether you were pleased with what you saw from King or not, he either got rid of the ball or had the ability to move.
One complaint I've heard from LSU people is that Max Johnson held onto the football too long. Part of that may be sour grapes because 1) he left and 2) their offensive line was a turnstile, but it's something to consider. With two new starters next year up front, it's reasonable to think the Aggies will need a quarterback who can make his reads quickly and get rid of the ball.
What will A&M need in 2023 recruiting?
This could change as we see who moves on, but using the pipeline I put out Monday, let's take a look, and we'll consider a "need" to be an area where there's a senior or junior (or even redshirt sophomore) inhabiting the 2022 depth chart. Keep in mind, this isn't EVERYONE.
QB (1 junior, 1 redshirt sophomore): 1 needed. And they got him, in Eli Holstein.
RB: (2 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): It seems like Devon Achane is the only threat to be gone to the NFL after next season, but transfers are very possible. Right now, they don't need any, but are clearly after Reuben Owens.
TE (1 redshirt senior, one redshirt sophomore): HAHAHAHAHA They just took three. They're good unless someone absolutely awesome is interested.
OL (1 redshirt senior, 3 redshirt juniors, 3 redshirt sophomores): Luke Matthews will be gone in 2023 regardless. Layden Robinson is the only threat to leave early. But they still need serious tackle depth, so I could see them taking 3 and maybe more. They already have Colton Thomasson, so they're already on the move here.
WR (3 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): They took three excellent ones in this class and they will likely need three more.
DE (3 redshirt sophomores): This is a position where A&M is going to be looking for elite players because they're loaded with talent and youth. They already have Anthony James and could have Johnny Bowens out of Converse Judson before too long.
DT (4 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): The only threat of an early departure here is McKinnley Jackson. So, like the ends, this is an area where they're looking for elite players.
LB (2 seniors, 1 junior): Even if A&M gets Harold Perkins (ahem), they're going to need to build up here. This could be another 3 (maybe 4) player haul.
S/Nickel (2 seniors, 1 junior): The junior is Antonio Johnson, a legit NFL risk. They'd better look for numbers here too. Three would be a start.
CB (1 super senior, 1 junior): They did really well with Denver Harris, Smoke Bouie and Bobby Taylor, but they could use a couple more as they have to flip over the position group.
A&M was in a bad way thanks to injuries, opt-outs and COVID
No matter what you read from some people (and yes, that's pointed at one individual), the Aggies weren't ducking anyone. They were down to 38 scholarship players when the decision was made to step out of the Gator Bowl. Could they have really played? Yes, but the CDC and NCAA made it virtually impossible, because no exception is made for asymptomatic players. Which is stupid, and the NBA and NFL are now changing their protocols to do so. But, as it stands now, you pop a positive and you're out for 10 days.
Ok, so A&M entered the bowl season with 82 scholarship players. Antonio Doyle had left and Keldrick Carper and Brian Williams were forced to retire due to injuries. Then Zach Calzada bailed (81), and DeMarvin Leal, Isaiah Spiller, Jalen Wydermyer, Kenyon Green, Leon O'Neal and Jayden Peevy decided they'd sit out and prepare for the draft (80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75).
Myles Jones and Brian George were already lost for the year on defense (74, 73). Luke Matthews, Ainias Smith and Caleb Chapman were out on offense (72, 71, 70). Odds are Haynes King wasn't going to play either (69).
Two players had COVID symptoms and tested positive (67, 66). Then they tested players to make sure they didn't go home and spread COVID to their families and at least 20 scholarship players were positive (46). It's not at all unrealistic to think there were more positives, more injuries and more transfers we don't know about (or I just forgot. It's Christmas Eve).
That's way, way below the 53-man NCAA requirement. They had a total of 13 players on defense. But they did have four kickers healthy, all the more evidence kickers need to get out more.
One area that could provide the edge in the QB competition
Decisiveness in the pocket. One of the reasons King won the job over Calzada was he got the ball out of his hands faster. We saw, repeatedly, Calzada's indecisiveness and it proved costly in several losses. Whether you were pleased with what you saw from King or not, he either got rid of the ball or had the ability to move.
One complaint I've heard from LSU people is that Max Johnson held onto the football too long. Part of that may be sour grapes because 1) he left and 2) their offensive line was a turnstile, but it's something to consider. With two new starters next year up front, it's reasonable to think the Aggies will need a quarterback who can make his reads quickly and get rid of the ball.
What will A&M need in 2023 recruiting?
This could change as we see who moves on, but using the pipeline I put out Monday, let's take a look, and we'll consider a "need" to be an area where there's a senior or junior (or even redshirt sophomore) inhabiting the 2022 depth chart. Keep in mind, this isn't EVERYONE.
QB (1 junior, 1 redshirt sophomore): 1 needed. And they got him, in Eli Holstein.
RB: (2 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): It seems like Devon Achane is the only threat to be gone to the NFL after next season, but transfers are very possible. Right now, they don't need any, but are clearly after Reuben Owens.
TE (1 redshirt senior, one redshirt sophomore): HAHAHAHAHA They just took three. They're good unless someone absolutely awesome is interested.
OL (1 redshirt senior, 3 redshirt juniors, 3 redshirt sophomores): Luke Matthews will be gone in 2023 regardless. Layden Robinson is the only threat to leave early. But they still need serious tackle depth, so I could see them taking 3 and maybe more. They already have Colton Thomasson, so they're already on the move here.
WR (3 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): They took three excellent ones in this class and they will likely need three more.
DE (3 redshirt sophomores): This is a position where A&M is going to be looking for elite players because they're loaded with talent and youth. They already have Anthony James and could have Johnny Bowens out of Converse Judson before too long.
DT (4 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores): The only threat of an early departure here is McKinnley Jackson. So, like the ends, this is an area where they're looking for elite players.
LB (2 seniors, 1 junior): Even if A&M gets Harold Perkins (ahem), they're going to need to build up here. This could be another 3 (maybe 4) player haul.
S/Nickel (2 seniors, 1 junior): The junior is Antonio Johnson, a legit NFL risk. They'd better look for numbers here too. Three would be a start.
CB (1 super senior, 1 junior): They did really well with Denver Harris, Smoke Bouie and Bobby Taylor, but they could use a couple more as they have to flip over the position group.
