Our daily fall camp preview series continues with the Texas A&M Aggies, a team hoping to throw a wrench in college football’s toughest division down the stretch after being picked to finish near the bottom of the West according to league media.
Personnel
Blessed with the SEC’s deepest collection of wideouts, a veteran line and two premiere quarterbacks, you aren’t going to find any holes offensively for the Aggies, a squad that’s led the league in passing three consecutive seasons. But that’s not what worries Kevin Sumlin and his football team this fall. The primary reason the Aggies aren’t considered a league contender revolves around their well-documented struggles on defense, a unit that’s been renovated this offseason by former LSU DC John Chavis. The Chief’s building around cornerstone pass rusher Myles Garrett, but much of his supporting cast is yet to be determined (in terms of production).
Primary position battles
Running back — Tra Carson vs. James White: There isn’t a question that Carson’s the starter, but many in the Texas A&M camp feel this will be White’s breakout season. The pair gives the Aggies the first formidable duo they’ve had in the backfield since joining the SEC in 2012 and generates a friendly rivalry between two competitors who each want the lion’s share of the carries. White averaged 7.0 yards per carry last fall as a redshirt freshman at times, showed flashes of potential game-breaking ability. Carson packs 240 pounds and White 220, bulldozers in short yardage and goal line situations. OC Jake Spavital will feed the hot hand and this competition will be one of the SEC’s most exciting to watch in August.
Safety — Justin Evans vs. Donovan Wilson: Wilson enters fall camp behind Evans and Armani Watts at the free and strong safety spots, respectively, but is too instinctive to keep off the field this fall. Chavis will find a spot for him, even if he’s only included in certain packages. In limited action as a freshman, Wilson recorded 19 tackles including a team-best nine in the Liberty Bowl following Matthews’ ejection. Texas A&M fans got a taste of the future at the back end with Wilson in charge. Evans was the more consistent player this spring, but the competition’s fierce at free. His strength comes while the ball’s in the air while Wilson primarily punches the clock in run support.
End goal
Understanding Chavis’ scheme and simplifying a return to better tackling and overall execution defensively is priority No. 1 for the Aggies in August. If this football team wants to contend for a Western Division championship (and they have the talent to do so), establishing depth in the trenches and a dependable rotation at linebacker is essential. Reducing the number of big plays and breakdowns in coverage is vital to this team’s success. Texas A&M’s new defense is still in its test phase and Chavis will use 15 practices to determine a two-deep he deems reliable. For players fighting for spots, competition breeds success.
