Texas A&M football: What impact will the 2022 recruiting class have on this season
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Expectations are a funny thing. When Jimbo Fisher arrived on the scene, following closely behind his personal Brink’s truck to College Station, it was naturally assumed that Texas A&M had gone all in on dethroning the GOAT from Tuscaloosa.
Interestingly enough, Clemson, LSU and Georgia beat the Aggies to the punch, all winning national championships since Fisher took over at Texas A&M. In fact, Alabama has captured only 1 national title since 2018. Nevertheless, the task remained the same for Fisher and the Aggies to compete on that level.
However, those expectations slowly began to wane as SEC brethren Georgia and LSU accomplished what the Aggies set out to do upon reeling in Fisher. Sure, some might call the LSU title a fluke, and they would certainly have reason to. The coach that led the Tigers to the promised land has already been fired. But you can’t overlook what Kirby Smart has built at Georgia. That program is what Texas A&M was supposed to look like at this point in Fisher’s tenure. But A&M doesn’t. Not yet, anyway.
Then, out of nowhere, the 2022 recruiting class happened — or, as Nick Saban insists, was “bought” — and high expectations were suddenly renewed to their original level. And why not? That astounding group is considered the highest-rated recruiting class ever (take that, GOAT). A total of 8 5-star recruits highlights the class. For reference, Alabama and Georgia combined for 10 5-stars. Fisher rounded out the historic class by bringing in another 21 4-stars to Aggieland.
How soon that group makes an impact on remains to be seen. But we should start to see it beginning on Saturday. As many as 10 freshmen from that class could play significant roles this season. One is already working with the starting unit.
Wide receiver Evan Stewart is poised to help take the pressure off senior standout Ainias Smith and open up the passing game for newly announced starting quarterback Haynes King. Stewart is expected to start on Saturday along with wideouts Smith and Chase Lane.
Speedy and athletic, Stewart can go get the home-run ball as well as turn a short pass into a big play. It’s just what the Aggies need to keep defenses honest and free up Smith to do his thing as well.
We may also see Stewart in a kick return role. The former track star from Frisco could share those duties with junior standout and fellow speedster Devon Achane.
It’s likely we’ll see another receiver from that class get significant playing time, at least early. Chris Marshall (6-3, 205) can really go up and get it More of a possession guy, Marshall was also a coveted basketball recruit. He only started playing football in his junior year of high school. So as he develops his route running, watch for Marshall to blossom over the next few years.
Also watch for a couple of 4-star recruits, left guard Kam Dewberry and tight end Jake Johnson (brother of backup QB Max Johnson), to get their feet wet early as the Aggies open the 2022 season with non-conference home games against Sam Houston, Appalachian State and Miami.
Defensively, the 2022 class should be well represented this season. Led by nose tackle Walter Nolen, the highest-rated recruit in Texas A&M history, according to 247sports.com, we might see as many as 6 from the class step in right away and have the opportunity to make immediate impacts. Nolen (6-4, 320) will be a force in the middle of the Aggies’ defensive line for many years. The Tennessee native can plug up the middle but is versatile enough to shed blocks and disrupt behind the line of scrimmage as well.
Along the defensive line, DE Anthony Lucas and edge Shemar Stewart are high on the depth chart, as are DBs Denver Harris and 4-star recruits Smoke Bouie and Bryce Anderson.
The biggest question with the aforementioned group appears to be in Fisher’s hands. Who will play out the season, and who will be redshirted after getting a taste of college football at the highest level?
Either way, it’s a corps that raises expectations back to where they were when Fisher was handed the keys to the program.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
