Fall camp began this week in College Station, and with it a number of players will grab the focus. Play along the offensive line is certainly an area of great interest, and new faces at cornerback will draw much attention as camp continues.
Here are a few of the players who will garner particular interest as August camp unfolds in preparation for the Sept. 3 opener with UCLA.
Trevor Knight, QB – Of all the players on the Texas A&M roster, perhaps no other has created more buzz than this graduate transfer from Oklahoma. From the moment he stepped on campus, Knight has taken ownership of the offense and of the Aggies’ locker room. And that’s exactly what you want from your quarterback. Soon after, he was named the starting signal-caller following an impressive performance over spring workouts. All eyes will be locked in on Texas A&M’s new leader, and why not? The Aggies haven’t had a quarterback under center with a victory under his belt over Alabama since the days of Johnny Manziel. It’s a veteran presence that will keep us fascinated leading up to the season opener.
Donovan Wilson, DB – The talented junior could play a big factor in Texas A&M’s ability to stop the run. It’s a problem the Aggies have been dealing with now for the last three seasons. But in his second season as defensive coordinator, John Chavis will surely use everything in his arsenal to improve on that. He has already begun to make a difference. The Aggies were last in the SEC in 2013 and 2014 against the run. In Chavis’ first season at College Station, he lifted the team out of the cellar in that department. And even though it was only one spot up from the bottom, it was progress. And that’s where Wilson comes in. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is expected to be all over the field in 2016. Whether it’s from a safety spot to defend the pass or up in the box to help stop the run, Wilson will play a very key role in the Aggies’ defense.
Speedy Noil, WR – In and out of the doghouse since arriving in College Station, the intrigue may not be limited to the football field. If Noil can stay out of trouble, he can be another piece to the puzzle in helping Texas A&M get back to the top of the conference in offensive production. The Aggies have fallen to fifth and sixth place, respectively, in the SEC over the last two years in total offense after leading the conference the previous two seasons. While head coach Kevin Sumlin has indicated that Noil has made strides in getting his act together, Noil remains suspended for a violation of team rules and will miss the season opener with UCLA. Still, the talented pass-catcher can become an integral part of an offense that on paper looks to be the Aggies’ best in years.
Daylon Mack, DT – Speaking of defense against the run, Mack could provide the biggest improvement along the defensive line if he lives up to the hype. The five-star recruit was highly regarded and saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman. And although he performed well, relatively speaking, for a player stepping up from the high school ranks, he didn’t and probably couldn’t have lived up to the expectations. Mack did record 32 tackles, including 9.5 for loss as well as forcing a fumble. But trimmed down by more than 20 pounds, Mack could potentially use his quickness off the ball for an even better advantage. That, in turn, could play a huge factor in Texas A&M’s overall defense against the run in 2016.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
