Texas A&M fab freshmen Garrett and Noil shine in first fall practice
The Texas A&M coaching staff has high expectations for freshman defensive lineman Myles Garrett this season and during Friday’s opening fall practice, he stood out as a player who should make an immediate impact up front.
The five-star pass-rushing nightmare from Arlington who posted an 8.5-sack game last season glided through individual drills with relative ease, hulking out of his maroon and white practice gear.
Imagine how he’ll look in pads.
“He’s talented and you see a couple things out there (where) he can burst and turn some speed into power,” Kevin Sumlin said of Garrett. “I reserve my judgment until the middle of next week when we put full pads on. We’ve had a number of guys who have looked good in their underwear and then as soon as we’ve put pads on them, they’ve disappeared for a year.
“I don’t expect that to happen with (Myles).”
Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder made it clear prior to Friday’s workout that he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on Garrett, but reiterated his belief that the 6-foot-5, 255-pound specimen is already one of the Aggies’ best players on his side of the football.
During pre-camp presser, A&M DC Mark Snyder said he thinks Myles Garrett is already a top 3 player on D. Just has to see it on the field.
— Gabe Bock (@GabeBock) August 1, 2014
We knew the nation’s top-ranked receiver wouldn’t sit upon his arrival in College Station, but all-purpose lightning bolt Speedy Noil, is turning heads at an alarming rate.
The highly-touted youngster had his way against the Aggies’ secondary during the spring with precision route-running and a flair for acrobatic catches, an element Texas A&M figured it would sorely miss following Mike Evans’ departure.
Already projected as first-team wideout, Noil will be one of the Texas A&M’s featured weapons in the slot by game week for South Carolina. After working with the special teams unit this spring and catching a few punts during Friday’s practice, Noil’s speed and elusiveness will be utilized in the open field with a head of steam and wall of blockers as well.
Paired with Ricky Seals-Jones, who we project as the Aggies’ most productive pass-catcher this fall, an unproven Gamecock secondary will surely be tested on Aug. 28 when a matchup of nationally-ranked cross-division foes battle on the SEC Network.