Name: Maroon and White Spring Game
Time: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Location: Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)
For the first time since 2013, the Maroon and White Spring Game will be played at Kyle Field. Construction on the $450 million renovation over the past two years prevented the game from being played at the facility.
Here’s a look at five things that the Aggies need to accomplish at the end of Kevin Sumlin’s fifth year of spring practice:
1. FIND SOME CONSENSUS ON THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION
After the debacle at the end of last season, which saw five-star recruits Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray transfer out, the last thing Texas A&M needs in fall practice is another quarterback controversy. The Aggies entered the spring with what appeared to be a clear favorite in Oklahoma graduate transfer Trevor Knight, but the competition continues.
Jake Hubenak started the Aggies’ last game, a 27-21 loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl. It was Hubenak’s first start at Texas A&M. And while he threw for 307 yards with two touchdowns in his debut, Knight has the experience, as the former starter for the Sooners, to lead the Aggies in 2016.
2. DEVELOP A RUNNING BACK TO BALANCE THE NEW OFFENSE
Rising junior James White will be the most experienced running back returning from last season. White rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown on 55 carries a year ago. That’s not much experience for new OC Noel Mazzone.
After that it’s rising sophomore Kwame Etwi (20 carries, 151 yards) and a group of newcomers, including Oklahoma transfer Keith Ford and touted recruit Trayveon Williams. Etwi reportedly is having a good spring.
Kwame Etwi https://t.co/wKejMbikDt
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) April 2, 2016
Mazzone will need to be creative in putting his inexperienced running backs in position to be successful. They are a key part of his up-tempo offense.
3. BEGIN TO MOLD AN OFFENSIVE LINE
Only tackle Avery Gennesy returns to the Aggies’ line with any consistent playing experience. The 6-5, 310-pound JUCO transfer started every game last season and will be called upon to be the anchor in an offensive line that will have many new faces for 2016, including OL coach Jim Turner.
That’s not to say that there’s no experience along the line, just not any consistency as a unit. Keaton Sutherland (6-5, 301) started seven games last season and played in 12. Getting the group to work as one while learning Mazzone’s system is paramount to having success.
4. NEXT MAN UP: REPLACE MLB AND CORNERS
A.J. Hilliard has retired from football due to injuries. Thought to be the Aggies’ starting middle linebacker this season, Hilliard recorded 58 tackles in nine games last season. That creates a huge question in the middle of the defense. In addition, both cornerbacks have departed, leaving a big hole in the secondary as well.
Junior Josh Walker is next in line, on the depth chart anyway, at middle linebacker. Over two seasons, the 6-1, 233-pounder has accumulated 45 tackles in 21 games. It could also be time for senior Alex Sezer and junior Nick Harvey to play a more prominent role. Harvey recorded 29 tackles a year ago and broke up four passes while Sezer has 22 tackles over parts of three seasons.
5. CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ON DEFENSE UNDER CHAVIS
John Chavis improved the Aggies defense in 2015, his first at College Station. Texas A&M went from last in the SEC in total defense in 2014, allowing 450.8 yards per game, to eighth, allowing 380 yards per outing.
They also trimmed their scoring defense from 28.1 in 2015 to 22.0 in 2015.
That’s a big improvement and with veteran stars Daeshon Hall and Myles Garrett (12.5 sacks) serving as bookends along the defensive line, Chavis could put together another big season.
Perhaps even comparable to those of 2010-13 at LSU when his Tigers’ defenses ranked among the top three in the SEC each of those years.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
