Expectations for Texas A&M were as high as they could be heading into the 2021 season. Coming off a 9-1 COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, the Aggies were among those teams in serious conversation for the College Football Playoff.

But things went south in a hurry. Starting quarterback Haynes King was injured in the 2nd game, and it went downhill after that, with further injuries and underachievement becoming the headline for an 8-4 finish.

How much of that carries over to the 2022 team remains to be seen. Here are 5 of the biggest areas of concern and some possible solutions.

1. Quarterback

Zach Calzada did what he could do, stepping in for the injured King. He engineered one of  A&M’s biggest wins in recent history, beating Alabama, but overall he could not lift the Aggies to the level they were expected to reach. So he packed his bags and headed east for Auburn to battle another transfer for that starting spot.

Meanwhile, the Aggies look to be improved at the position with a healthy King and a 5-star freshman Conner Weigman, who is being touted as the next big thing in Aggieland. If neither is ready to take the reins, head coach Jimbo Fisher could fall back on veteran LSU transfer Max Johnson, who didn’t beat Alabama — as Calzada accomplished — but did throw the late 4th-quarter touchdown pass that beat A&M.

Johnson has the game experience, and he offers Texas A&M a safety net at the most critical position entering the 2022 season.

2. D-line

This was a team strength in 2021, but the Aggies lose a lot coming into spring camp. You don’t just plug in spots that are left by the likes of DeMarvin Leal, Micheal Clemons, Jayden Peevy and Tyree Johnson.

The cupboard isn’t bare, but experience is the big concern. With the transfer portal now at the fingertips of needy programs, that would seem to be the place to peruse for answers. But Fisher has already loaded up on talent. It’s just a matter of getting them valuable playing time.

Fisher is bringing in 7 d-linemen with the nation’s top recruiting class, including Walter Nolen, rated as the No. 1 all-time recruit at Texas A&M, according to 247sports.com.

He could work into a prominent role immediately or save a year of eligibility, with All-SEC Freshman Shemar Turner gaining more playing along with juniors Adarious Jones, Isaiah Raikes and McKinnley Jackson. Sophomore Fadil Diggs figures to be in the mix as well.

3. Tight end

It’s a position key to Fisher’s offense. So who will step forward to fill the shoes left by Jalen Wydermyer, the Aggies’ leading receiver in yards (515) last season and receptions (46) the year before? That’s a lot of production to have to replace.

Once again, Fisher addressed the issue with 3 4-star tight ends in the 2022 recruiting class, but the job appears to belong to Baylor Cupp. If he’s healthy and can remain so, the 6-foot-7, 245-pounder should step into that role.

4. Wide receiver

The quarterback position was up and down last season, but the receiving corps didn’t do a whole lot to make it more consistent. That will have to change if the Aggies hope to improve on an 8-win season. Getting another year from Ainias Smith was huge in that regard. He led the team in 2020 with 564 receiving yards, and he was 2nd last year with 509. Those numbers will have to improve as well for the Aggies to succeed.

But Smith won’t be able to do it all. He’ll need help from a whole host of receivers who have the talent but will need to turn that potential into production. That means Caleb Chapman, Demond Demas, Moose Muhammad III, Yulkeith Brown, Jalen Preston and perhaps even 5-star recruit Evan Stewart will have to turn up their games and help out.

5. Running back depth

Devon Achane is the man in the backfield, but who will spell him with meaningful carries in 2022? That’s a big question that must be answered before the Aggies tee it up for real on Sept. 3.

Amari Daniels and LJ Johnson Jr. combined for 41 carries and 195 yards rushing last season. Can 1 or both take some of the load off Achane with meaningful snaps? That seems to be the direction that position is going heading into spring camp.

It will be interesting to see which of the 2 , or perhaps another RB, rises to the occasion in the Aggies’ backfield.