Texas A&M isn’t easing into what could be viewed as a crucial fourth season for head coach Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies open up Sept. 5 against No. 15 Arizona State in Houston and while there are some standout players returning, there are also plenty of question marks.

Here are five things we’ve learned about the Aggies since the start of preseason camp:

1. Fixing the defense is a top priority.
Texas A&M lured defensive coordinator John Chavis away from LSU to improve a defense that was ranked near the bottom in the nation in several categories and the Aggies weren’t done making moves. Brandon Williams, a former five-star running back transfer from Oklahoma, switched to cornerback, while senior Julien Obioha moved to defensive tackle after making more than 30 career starts at end. On the recruiting trail, the Aggies needed help right away so they brought in safety Justin Evans from junior college and will give plenty of reps to true freshman Daylon Mack on the defensive line. Sumlin is clearly allowing Chavis to do everything he wants to get as many talented defensive players on the field as possible. So far in practice the schemes look more aggressive than last year.

2. Christian Kirk is the real deal.
Freshman wide receiver was able to wrap up his high school responsibilities early and get to College Station for spring practice. So far in preseason camp it looks like that’s paying off. He’s expected to start among what was already a solid group of returning wide receivers and practice reports indicate he’s taking over some of the kick return duties from Speedy Noil. The team has been very excited about the Arizona product ever since he chose A&M, and even though he hasn’t played a game yet, the hype appears to be justified.

3. There’s a clear starting quarterback, but don’t be surprised if there’s more drama.
This isn’t meant as a knock on Kyle Allen, who took over as the starter midway through last season after the hot start by Kenny Hill. Allen did a solid job once he took over. Behind by more than a full year, Kyler Murray never had much of a chance to unseat him prior to the season. But early indications suggest it could be tough to keep the touted freshman off the field. Both players are former five-star recruits. It will be interesting to see how Sumlin handles both players. The moment there’s a hint of struggle from Allen, at least some fans will cry for Murray.

4. The Aggies will play in a palace.
Kyle Field has always been one of college football’s biggest and best venues, but the recent facelift has made the facility unreal. The Aggies spent $485 million renovating the beloved stadium and there’s a three-day grand opening celebration planned before the Sept. 12 home opener against Ball State. Included are brand new suites, a fancy limestone façade on the outside, in-stadium WiFi and an increase in capacity to 102,500, making it the largest stadium in the SEC.

5. A&M has moved past the Johnny Football era.
Last season the aura of Johnny Manziel still hung over the program. Fans and media wanted to compare Hill to his predecessor, even giving him a similar nickname (“Kenny Trill”). Nearly everything the team did was compared in some way to the outstanding two-year run with Manziel taking snaps and running the offense. It’s clear now that Allen is his own man at quarterback and less of a dual threat, which helps negate comparisons. Other star players have also grabbed attention for themselves. Defensive end Myles Garrett is going to generate hype and awards in his own right, while players such as Kirk, Mack and Armani Watts have opportunities to do the same before they are done.