The clock is ticking, and there are just a few precious days remaining until the 2022 college football season kicks off. The Aggies open on Sept. 3, when they host Sam Houston at high noon on Kyle Field.

It’s yet another anticipated season under head coach Jimbo Fisher, who returns 5 players on offense and 4 on defense. Devon Achane returns to lead the offense after piling up 910 rushing yards and a team-high 9 touchdowns last season as part of the 1-2 punch with Isaiah Spiller (1,011 yards), who took his talents to the NFL. Ainias Smith also returns after hauling in a team-best 47 passes last season.

Defensively, DB Antonio Johnson returns after leading the Aggies with 53 solo tackles a year ago. Safety Demani Richardson also returns after recording 65 total tackles, ranking 3rd on the team.

Here’s a closer look at each position group and how it grades out heading into the 2022 season.

QB: C+

This position has the potential to be among the best in the conference, but it also possesses the possibility of landing near the bottom, like it did last year. Surely, the Aggies will finish higher than 11th in the SEC in passing, as it did in 2021. How much higher … well, that’s the million-dollar question.

LSU transfer Max Johnson threw for 2,814 yards and 27 TDs for the Tigers last season while tossing just 6 interceptions. Those are numbers Fisher would like to see repeated. But it may not be Johnson who puts up those numbers. Instead, it could be Haynes King, the Aggies’ 2021 season-opening starter, who lights it up.

King threw for 292 yards in his only full game before being lost for the remainder of the schedule with an injury. How he comes back will be interesting to see, as will the question of Johnson’s ability to equal or even better the numbers he put up in Baton Rouge.

Whether it’s Johnson or King under center the first Saturday in September, the Aggies seem assured of improved quarterback play.

RB: B

Spiller and Achane were a solid set of running backs last season, sharing the spotlight while combining for nearly 2,000 rushing yards. Expect the same this year, only with Achane taking the brunt of the carries and Amari Daniels and LJ Johnson Jr. sharing backup duties.

That’s quite a solid stable of running backs that the Aggies look to lean on while their quarterback settles in.

WR: C+

Here’s another position with higher-ceiling potential. We know what Smith can do, and Chase Lane could turn out to be a solid possession receiver. But Evan Stewart is a true freshman. Sure, his upside is through the roof. But until he proves his 5-star status at this level, we’ll temper our enthusiasm a bit.

There’s some pretty solid depth with Moose Muhammad III and Jalen Preston. True freshman Chris Marshall could become a factor as well. But again, until he proves it on the field, it’s just potential at this point.

OL: B+

The right side of the interior is set with Layden Robinson and Reuben Fatheree II. Center Bryce Foster returns. The question marks are on the left side, with Australian transfer Jordan Spasojevic-Moko and redshirt freshman Trey Zuhn III. Those 2 have to produce in order to round out what should be a solid offensive line with senior Max Wright at tight end along with a plethora of young talent.

The key will be to stay healthy, because depth is a huge question mark — not for a lack of talent, but for a lack of experience at the college level. The 2nd-team offensive line is made up of 3 redshirt freshmen, 2 true freshmen and a redshirt sophomore.

DL: B-

McKinnley Jackson returns to anchor a young but extremely talented DL. He and backup nose tackle Isaiah Raikes are the only upperclassmen on the defensive front. But this just might be the area in which the nation’s top recruiting class begins to shine. True freshmen Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart and Anthony Lucas figure to see plenty of action in the trenches this season.

They’ll spell redshirt freshman Tunmise Adeleye and sophomores Shemar Turner and Fadil Diggs along the front.

LB: B-

The minus is for depth. As far as starters go, redshirt sophomore Edgerrin Cooper is poised to have a breakout season after recording 58 tackles in his freshman year. Senior Andre White Jr. had only 1 fewer tackle in 2021 and should provide leadership.

There’s a noticeable dropoff after that, with true freshmen Ish Harris and Martrell Harris Jr. pushing upperclassmen Chris Russell Jr. (senior) and Tarian Lee Jr. (redshirt junior) for playing time.

DB: A-

How can you go wrong when you have standout veterans Johnson and Richardson in the secondary? Throw in a healthy Myles Jones and Tyreek Chappell at the corners, and you’ve got a pretty darned good group. Safety Jardin Gilbert will have his opportunity to shine as well this season.

There’s a ton of young talent behind that group, including 3 true freshmen looking to make their mark immediately.