Trying to figure out how in the world the Aggies came to finish the season at 8-4 for a third consecutive season is enough to give even the most ardent fan a migraine. What promised to be a breakthrough season after Texas A&M was able to push past the 5-0 barrier ended up being nothing more than fool’s gold. At 6-0, the Aggies lost four of their final six games and slumped back down into a familiar place.
However, there were bright spots despite the disappointing ending.
MVP Offense
Despite perhaps showing his true colors, dressed in Oklahoma colors as he stood on the Sooners’ sideline sporting a Fu Manchu on Saturday during Bedlam, QB Trevor Knight was the brightest star on the Texas A&M offense this season.
Yes, Christian Kirk had an amazing season of his own, but Knight gets the nod here based on his 7-1 record as a starter prior to suffering a shoulder injury coinciding with the Aggies’ slide down the stretch.
When healthy, the graduate transfer from OU was excellent. He threw for 2,122 yards and 16 touchdowns (just six interceptions) and rushed for another 594 yards (second on the team) with a team-high 10 rushing touchdowns.
MVP Defense
There were several quality candidates for this one. Myles Garrett, despite an injury-plagued season, still led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15.0). Linebacker Shaan Washington significantly improved that corps and led the team in tackles (93).
But the defensive MVP was senior DB Justin Evans. The versatile talent led the Aggies in solo tackles (52) and was second in total tackles (85). He also led the team with four interceptions. In addition, Evans broke up six passes and also blocked a punt. He was a spark plug on defense in every game.
Rookie of Year
Freshman Trayveon Williams burst onto the scene in 2016. Texas A&M entered the season with a huge question mark at running back, but Williams carried out OC Noel Mazzone’s new offensive scheme with precision.
Williams rushed for 1,024 yards (eight touchdowns) and became the first true freshman in program history to do so. He joins an exclusive club with redshirt freshmen Johnny Manziel (1,410), Greg Hill (1,216) and Courtney Lewis (1,024) as the only freshmen in program history to rush for 1,000 yards.
Assistant of Year
Not many areas improved over last season, and of course some declined. One of the biggest improvements was in the running game. That’s why RB coach Clarence McKinney gets the nod here. In his fifth season coaching the running backs at Texas A&M, McKinney coached up a true freshman (Williams) to a 1,000-yard season and also mentored transfer Keith Ford to a 583-yard, five-touchdown season.
Texas A&M running backs piled up nearly 2,000 yards this season, the most since the 2011 season. Granted it includes the rushing totals of QB Knight, but the Aggies finished sixth in the SEC in rushing offense, averaging 217.50 yards per game. That’s the best production since 2012 when the Aggies led the SEC with 242.08 yards per game.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
