SEC Preview: Will Petrino’s arrival propel Texas A&M?
2022 and 2023 were meant to be banner years for Texas A&M. Buoyed by a NIL fund worth hundreds of millions, the Aggies recruited its best class in decades.
Then, they fell apart. Half of the that group transferred. A&M lost to Appalachian State and played a lot of football, but should have beaten Alabama and DID beat LSU.
Jimbo Fisher exercised some excellent restraint, realizing that things weren’t working with him at the offensive reigns, so he brought in everyone’s favorite motorcyle-driving crazy person, Bobby Petrino.
WHO’S IN?
The Aggies bring in QB Jaylen Henderson from Fresno State. He’ll be the back-up-of-the-back-up (Max Johnson is still around). He had a season-ending thumb injury in October which kept him out of the Mountain West school’s plans in 2022.
They also bring in DB Josh DeBerry, a three-time all-ACC player from Boston College as a grad transfer, as well as LB JD Davis from Jackson State, who was a star. OL Finn Dirstine comes in from Boston College, too. Texas A&M also brought in former FSU rotational CB Sam McCall.
WHO’S GONE?
However Texas A&M fans might spin it, the transfer portal was pretty terrible for the Aggies. 28 players hit the portal. Seven of those came from the Greatest Recruiting Class of All Time, including five star recruits CB Denver Harris and Chris Marshall. Harris had previously been arrested for weed (alongside 4-star offensive linesman PJ Williams) with Marshall. Comically, Marshall then transferred to Ole Miss…..where he was summarily booted for a ‘violation of team rules’ a few months later. Harris – who had 14 tackles and 3 pass break-ups in a weird year with the Aggies – went to LSU, although it’s not known if he’ll even remain there, either.
THE OFFENSE
Bobby Petrino’s offense should be a lot more fun than last season’s one, if Conner Weigman can stay fit and they recover from the loss of Devon Achane, who was incredible last year and is now making money with the Miami Dolphins in the NFL.
If Weigman’s on form, we could see a gadzillion receiving yards out of Evan Stewart. The kid’s so good he could have gone pro after last year. They also bring back Moose Muhammad III and Ainias Smith. That’s the Aggies top 3 WRs from last year.
Sadly, they lose TE Donovan Green for the season earlier this week with a torn ACL.
Five-star frosh Reuben Owens was considered the second-best RB in the nation (and 31st player overall), and you can expect fireworks. Amari Daniels to do a lot of running too, but it won’t be Achane numbers.
THE DEFENSE
Last year’s defense was very good, ranking 25th in the country. They return two of their top 3 tacklers (Demani Richardson and Chris Russell). Stud junior DB Tyreek Chappell – who had 8 pass defended last year – will lead a defense that topped the SEC in pass yards allowed. Fadil Diggs will be expected to up production as a pass rusher for a defense that was a joke against the rush, giving 10 yards more than the second-worst team. Freshman DL DJ Hicks – rated as the 11th-best player in the country is expected to have an immediate impact (ESPN already loves him).
THE SCHEDULE
New Mexico – W
at Miami- W
ULM- W
Auburn- W
Arkansas (in Arlington)- W
Alabama- L
at Tennessee- L
South Carolina- W
at Ole Miss – L
Mississippi State – W
Abilene Christian – W
at LSU – L
PREDICTION: 8-4. It’s quite a bounce-back from the awfulness of last year. This year could be a lot better than this, considering we are expecting the Alabama, Tennessee, and Ole Miss games to come down to the wire. With all three of those games, it will be shoot-out Central.