2013 Fall Camp Discussion

The number next to incomers is their 247 recruit rating.

QUARTERBACKS

Who's gone: Jameil Showers (transferred to UTEP)
Who's back: #2 Johnny Manziel (6-1, 200, SO), #16 Matt Joeckel (6-4, 234, JR), #6 Matt Davis (6-2, 206, RS-FR)
Who's new: #7 Kenny Hill 90 (6-1, 215, FR)

Manziel enters the fall as the unquestioned QB this year leaving really little intrigue. But with Showers transferring, the backup job is up for grabs. Joeckel is the only other QB to have taken a snap but his slow delivery fit Sherman's WCO timing routes more than the short, quick reads in Sumlin's offense. Matt Davis meanwhile has struggled with consistency and accuracy and so neither particularly shined or separated himself in spring ball. This opens up the door for highly touted Kenny Hill from Southlake Carroll to step into the backup role immediately. Early returns on Hill from voluntary summer workouts have been quite positive.

RUNNING BACKS

Who's gone: Christine Michael (NFL)
Who's back: #1 Ben Malena (5-8, 195, SR), #3 Trey Williams (5-8, 185, SO)
Who's new: #5 Brandon Williams (OU transfer, 6-0, 192, SO), #21 Tra Carson (Ore transfer, 6-0, 227, SO), #20 James White 90 (6-0, 210, FR)

The A&M backfield talent is pretty unprecedented despite former 5-star talent Christine Michael's departure. Ben Malena proved to be the complete back that best fit Sumlin's offense last season as, despite his smallish stature he proved to run with power and be a superlative blocker. Trey Williams showed flashes and has a terrific burst that OC McKinney made full use of in the Cotton Bowl. But it's the two transfers that may be the most exciting as they both bring aspects the Aggie offense lacked in 2012. OU transfer Brandon Williams seems to just glide and eat up yards. Slim, as his teammates call him, is also an excellent receiver who we'll probably see spread out wide quite a bit. Oregon transfer Tra Carson could be the answer to the short yardage issues A&M had most of last season. Carson is just a tough guy to bring down and was named scout team MVP last season for his role in mimicking players like Eddie Lacy in practice. James White seemed sort of forgotten in this talented recruiting class but the 4-star from Pearland is a great fit for this team. He's almost a bigger version of Ben Malena who just puts on the hard hat and plays everywhere. While he won't likely see much time as a RB right off the bat, it's possible he'll play for his ability on special teams.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Who's gone: Ryan Swope (NFL), Uzoma Nwachukwu (eligibility expired), Kenric McNeal (eligibility expired), Thomas Johnson (left school)
Who's back: #13 Mike Evans (6-5, 225, SO), #84 Malcome Kennedy (6-0, 200, JR), #11 Derel Walker (6-2, 185, SR), #10 LeKendrick Williams (5-8, 170, JR), #23 Sabian Holmes (5-11, 175, SO), #18 Edward Pope (6-4, 170, RS-FR)
Who's new: #9 Ricky Seals-Jones 98 (6-5, 225, FR), #4 Ja'Quay Williams 95 (6-3, 210, FR), #25 LaQuvionte Gonzalez 94 (5-10, 165, FR), #83 Sebastian Larue 94 (5-11, 180, FR), #80 Kyrion Parker 91 (6-2, 190, FR), #19 Jeremy Tabuyo 87 (5-11, 180, FR),

With long time starters Swope and Nwachukwu leaving, A&M's lack of depth at the position becomes apparent. It's magnified by promising freshman Thomas Johnson's disappearance and withdrawal from school as it means that 3 of the 4 leading receivers from 2012 are gone. Obviously leading WR Evans returns and now fully healthy, there is reason to expect even more production from him. And Malcolm Kennedy, a role player until Johnson left, emerged down the stretch. Given the opportunity this spring, Ed Pope, who redshirted in 2012 and was jointly scout team MVP, showed that despite not being as thick as maybe you'd like, has a knack for getting open. His development allowed the coaches to test Evans in the slot at times in the spring which adds a different dimension. Other returners like Darel Walker and LeKendrick Williams (beep-beep) also seemed to make large strides this spring. But without a doubt, A&M will be dependent on the incoming class to contribute and fast. The heralded class includes talent in all shapes and sizes from the giants RSJ, Jaquay Williams, and Kyrion Parker to the diminutive but electric Quiv Gonzalez. While the talent is certainly there WR Coach Beatty can be pretty demanding. Jaquay Williams was an early enrollee but struggled at times in the spring with all he was asked to do. Meanwhile many thought RSJ might struggle in the transition to WR (he played QB in high school) but early 7v7 returns suggest he is dominating this summer. Most will probably play but, like Pope last year, despite the need, if a guy isn't ready, he may well redshirt.

TIGHT ENDS

Who's gone: Michael Lamothe (eligibility expired)
Who's back: #81 Nehemiah Hicks (6-4, 250, SR)
Who's new: #87 Cameron Clear 89 (6-6, 270, JR)

The tight end spot is a bit of a hybrid in Sumlin's offense. It moves around a lot from the backfield, to inline, to out wide. It was not a particularly prolific position in 2012 as Hicks and Lamothe combined to catch only 9 passes. But that may well change with the addition of Clear, a massive human being that proved in the spring to be not only an elite blocker, but also a decent target in the pass game. After witnessing the mismatches that La Tech's tempo combined with their Big Bone formation can create, you can expect to see both Clear and Hicks on the field some to try to replicate this against certain opponents. So while the position is still not likely to be a focal point in this offense, expect to see more creative use of it and more touches for them in 2013.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who's gone: Luke Joeckel (NFL), Patrick Lewis (eligibility expired), Nathan Gutekunst (retired)
Who's back: #75 Jake Matthews (6-5, 305, SR), #70 Cedric Ogbuehi (6-5, 300, JR), #51 Jarvis Harrison (6-4, 320, JR), #56 Mike Matthews (6-3, 280, SO), #74 Germain Ifedi (6-5, 320, RS-FR), #79 Joseph Cheek (6-7, 300, SO), $68 Ben Compton (6-4, 307, JR), #77 Shep Klinke (6-7, 305, SR), #78 Garrett Gramling (6-6, 309, JR), #71 Kimo Tipoti (6-3, 320, RS-FR)
Who's new: #73 Jeremiah Stuckey 81 (6-4, 285, SO), #69 Ishmael Wilson 92 (6-4, 280, FR), #76 Joas Aguilar 87 (6-4, 270, FR)

There is no doubt that any line would feel the loss of an Outland Trophy winner like Luke Joeckel and a 4-year starter like Pat Lewis. But this year's Aggie line will again be long on experience despite only one senior. That one is pre-season All-American Jake Matthews who will slide from RT, where he started for the last 3 years, to LT to take over Joeckel's spot. Ced Ogbuehi, meanwhile finally gets his chance to shine moving into his natural tackle spot after spending the last two years at RG. The third multi-year starter returning is LG Jarvis Harrison. Those three are not only all multi-year starters but are projected first day NFL draft picks. Completing the line will be Jake's little brother Mike Matthews at center and manchild Germain Ifedi who seemed to beat out the upperclassmen with relative ease this spring as he made the switch inside to guard. The primary backups are even experienced as C/OG Ben Compton, OG/OT Shep Klinke, and OT Joseph Cheek have all played extensively. The coaches had some concern long term at tackle and brought in JUCO transfer Stuckey but with Matthews return and Cheek playing really well this spring, expect him, as well as both incoming freshmen, to redshirt this year.

some things I've had passed on:

- Matt Davis has made massive strides. Think the backup spot won't be decided til the final week
- Every single person starts off talking RSJ every time. Just is a natural catching the ball
- The offensive line "will be better than last year". And Ogbuehi is likely going to play himself into the 1st round this fall
- Isaiah Golden is probably going to start. He's long term a nose but he's been just unblockable once they put the pads on and they have to find a spot for him now
- Daeshan Hall may well play himself into the rotation. He's still rail thin though
- The backups at LB are still a mess. It's early still but no one has yet emerged
- Of the freshman DBs, Vic Davis has been the most impressive so far. And he's playing corner