The coming season is going to be a big one for Kevin Sumlin and the Texas A&M Aggies. With spring practice set to begin on March 2, there is plenty of work to be done in the 15 practice sessions allowed by the NCAA. From a young quarterback to a brand new defensive coordinator, there’s no shortage of areas of interest for the Aggies.

This season is going to be vital for Sumlin coming off an 8-5 letdown season. After a season in which the Aggies were outgunned at many positions, Sumlin will need a bounce-back season to keep critics at bay.

What should Texas A&M’s biggest priorities be in spring practice? Let’s take a look.

  • Make sure Kyle Allen is comfortable — With only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster this spring, Texas A&M has all the time in the world to get its rising sophomore as comfortable with the offense and with his receivers as possible. Allen is firmly entrenched as the starter, and this is his first spring and summer in that role. Allen had a great connection with Josh Reynolds in the fall, but he needs to extend that to the rest of the Aggies’ deep and talented receiving corps. With how often Texas A&M airs it out, Allen developing chemistry and timing with Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and the rest of his pass catchers will be crucial.
  • Develop the young safeties — Texas A&M has gone heavy at safety in its last two recruiting classes. That’s a big plus for new DC John Chavis, who helped turn LSU into “Defensive Back U” in his six years there. Armani Watts, Nick Harvey and Donovan Wilson came aboard last year, and JUCO transfer Justin Evans will be on campus this spring. With Howard Matthews and Floyd Raven both gone, there’s a big need for the young guys to get ready for big reps. Watts played the most of the three 2014 signees last year, and he, along with the rest of the safety crew, will have to learn to get more physical.
  • Get the left tackle situation settled — Cedric Ogbuehi is about to be the third straight Aggies left tackle selected in the NFL draft, another likely first round pick after Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews. The Aggies have a few options at the position for 2015. Germain Ifedi, last year’s starting right tackle, is among the favorites heading into the spring. While he has the experience needed to protect Allen’s back, some think he could be more suited for right tackle. Junior college transfer Avery Gennessy and Koda Martin, a redshirt freshman, are among the other candidates; both have excellent size and are a bit nimbler than Ifedi.
  • Improve the defensive line’s performance against the run — Specifically, the defensive ends need to bring up their ability to stuff the run. Myles Garrett showed he has explosive talent as a pass rusher, but he folded too often when teams ran right at him in 2014. Behind Garrett, Daeshon Hall, Qualen Cunningham and Jarrett Johnson provide an array of skills. Johnson was the best of that quartet against the run last year, but all four will need to play stouter against the run in 2015. Adding Daylon Mack in the middle next to Alonzo Williams should help the ends from facing as many double teams this season.