Texas A&M got good news Tuesday when redshirt sophomore right tackle Germain Ifedi announced he’ll return for his junior season.
Ifedi, 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, started 24 of 26 games the last two seasons for the Aggies. He’s likely to have an NFL future ahead of him, although he struggled at times in 2014 (Arkansas DE Trey Flowers had his way with Ifedi, for example).
“My dream is to play in the NFL, but another year here at Texas A&M will put me closer to finishing my degree in construction science and will help me continue to improve,” Ifedi said in a team release.
As initially reported yesterday via @TexAgs, A&M OT @GermainX1 received a second-round NFL Draft grade before opting to return as a junior
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) January 6, 2015
@billyliucci: At this time in 2016, expect to see @GermainX1 extend A&M's streak of o-linemen selected in NFL's first round to four years
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) January 6, 2015
He may compete for the left tackle spot vacated by Cedric Ogbuehi, who actually moved to right tackle late in the season. Ogbuehi is a potential first-round draft pick. But A&M redshirted junior college transfer Avery Gennesy in 2014, and the 6-foot-5, 305-pound four-star recruit is the more likely left tackle next season.
The Aggies also must replace left guard Jarvis Harris, a four-year starter, but another NFL prospect returns at center in Mike Matthews.
Ifedi missed two games in November due to an MCL injury, but should be healthy for spring ball.
“GI is a key component to our offensive line and we look forward to him being a leader on our team next year,” coach Kevin Sumlin said. “He has the skills to play at the next level but we are very pleased he will return for the 2015 season.”
Junior running back/kick returner Trey Williams is the only A&M underclassman to declare for the NFL draft thus far.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
