Jimbo Fisher shares 2021 plans for Elijah Blades and Derrick Tucker
By Keith Farner
Published:
A couple of prominent Texas A&M players decided to opt out of the upcoming season. However, their long-term plans appear to be a return to the program in 2021.
That’s the message from coach Jimbo Fisher, who told reporters that he expects both DBs Elijah Blades and Derrick Tucker to be back in 2021.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised (by the decision),” Fisher said, per Gigem247. “You wish they were there but you understand the things that are going on and that’s between us…Elijah was just coming off a shoulder surgery. He had practiced most of the practices, almost the whole time. We’d give him a little break. He was coming back. He would have been full-speed here shortly. But, there’s other issues and things going on.”
Blades has dealt with injuries as an Aggie and this extended time off will give him a chance to have added recovery from a shoulder injury suffered last fall. Blades started six games last season, his first in College Station after he transferred from junior college, and ultimately missed the final three games of the season because of injury.
Blades registered 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks and defended three passes for the Aggies as he played in seven games. One highlight was against Clemson when he made four tackles, including a sack for a 16-yard loss.
Tucker only played in 4 games last season but appeared in 21 games his first two seasons in College Station, with a total of 82 tackles, 6 passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception that went for a touchdown.
“It doesn’t help depth but, at the same time, some of our younger guys are really playing good and we feel comfortable with what we have,” Fisher said. “There’s open competition,” he added. “We’re getting ready for the first scrimmage this weekend and those guys have all done well and continue to do well.”
H/T Travis L. Brown.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
