re: 2018 Texas A&M Football Spring Camp - Year of Jimbo

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From what we understand, the defense has been ahead of the offense so far this spring and that carried over to the scrimmage that the two units had last week. There’s been two primary reasons for that. -First, the change in scheme has been less radical for the defense (although probably not as a simple as defensive tackle Kingsley Keke made it out to be in interviews last week).

In the spread, A&M used spacing and options to determine where the ball went and decisions were simpler. In the West Coast, there’s a displacement/power and timing element to the offense, both of which require more out of the players. The terminology is also lengthier and more detailed. Second, the defense has more experienced depth with regard to replacing people lost from 2017. -


For the most part, quarterbacks Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond have gone back and forth this spring. One will have the upper hand one day and then the other will be the better player the next. That’s evidenced by the fact that head coach Jimbo Fisher trotted out both players for interviews last week. A new offense that places greater emphasis on timing, moving quickly, and requiring more coordination from an athletic standpoint in the drops and footwork has made.

Mond more competitive. He’s a better athlete and more fluid. In addition, when things go south…missed blocks, the wrong route…Mond is better able to go off script. He’s also improved his delivery (how high he holds the ball, rotating through his hips).

Starkel still has better arm talent, is more likely to hit someone down the field with touch, and is more likely to snap a throw off into a tight window. He had a couple of interceptions in the scrimmage but otherwise probably had the better performance. Starkel had issues with turnovers in the pre season as well but overcame those problems once he returned from his injury.

Mond had a couple of nice plays. -Trayveon Williams had a long run in the scrimmage but like the rest of the backs he’s learning the nuances of a new running game with inside and outside zone, the footwork involved in bending a play back to the inside or trending it outside, and following a lead blocker.

Kendall Bussey did relatively well in the scrimmage as he is coordinated and has been good at maintaining his balance after contact. Of all of the position groups, the off season workouts probably helped the running backs more than any other. They’re noticeably more defined and stronger. -

The receivers are trying to avoid being the backup to Jhamon Ausbon on one side because he’s the one outside guy who’s definitely going to start. He’s bigger, more physical, and more experienced (in terms of playing time) than the other wideouts and he’s an excellent blocker, physical with strong hands to steer people.

Although A&M will rotate people at the position, people don’t want to have to compete with Ausbon. Clyde Chriss had a deep reception on Saturday and probably had more time opposite Ausbon with the first unit than anyone else (although Hezekiah Jones had multiple receptions in the scrimmage and Camron Buckley has been as good as anyone else this spring or better).

Everyone is trying to take advantage of the absence of Kendrick Rogers due to injury. The biggest challenge for the wideouts has been transitioning from an offense in which timing was less of an issue and spacing was an important component in getting open to an attack in which they run more precise routes, coordinate the timing of those routes with the quarterback’s drop, and then stick the route on time to provide separation. It’s going to take time for this transition to take place.

-The tight ends are making the same transition that the receivers are in terms of reading coverages and running routes. They haven’t been asked to do things to this level of precision before such as maintain the plane of an option route virtually all of the way to the sidelines so that they’re maintaining a consistent depth for the quarterback.

The group is making plays but the precision is not where anyone wants it to be and again it’s going to take time for them to be on the same page as the quarterbacks. A&M thinks it has something with junior college transfer Jace Sternberger while Keynel McZeal is a fluid player catching the ball. -

The offensive line is a work in progress. They’re missing Connor Lanfear, who’s out due to injury. As with the remainder of the offense, they’re learning a different way of doing things from the ground up. Last season, the group was at its best on running plays involving movement such as counters; this spring, they’re being asked to displace people more often and hold blocks longer in pass protection.

As a result, it’s resulted in an inconsistent level of productivity so far. The best player among the first unit has been center Erik McCoy, who has adapted well to the more physical brand of offense and continues to be able to play with great pad level and hands. -

The defensive line has got a couple of very good pieces in defensive tackle Kingsley Keke and end Landis Durham. Durham continues to impress people with his hands, footwork, effort, and versatility (dropping into coverage or playing on the line). Keke is commanding a double team most of the time working at both spots on the interior. Justin Madubuike has come on to earn most of the time with the first unit opposite Keke with his get off and Micheal Clemons has the spot opposite Durham with his overall athleticism.

The second unit had a very nice scrimmage as well. Both groups are benefitting from the scheme in which there are a lot of stunts that keep individual linemen on the move and offensive linemen involved and get the safeties involved in run support. -An experienced defensive line with depth means that the linebacking corps has gotten better protection and is able to make plays.

So far, Santino Marchiol has stayed healthy and on the field; as a result, he is using his increased size and ability to square up to really ring people up. Mike backer Tyrel Dodson remains the best of the group as his footwork and ability to read blocks means that he makes more plays than anyone else.

-The secondary benefitted from inexperienced quarterbacks and wideouts last fall and spring in terms of skill players who didn’t always make the right reads or run the right routes as well as issues on the offensive line. Throw in the fact that the secondary is a much more experienced group this spring than the guys they’re covering and they continue to have the upper hand. Clifford Chattman has moved into the corner spot opposite Charles Oliver (with the absence of Debione Renfro due to injury) and his length bothers receivers who are still adapting to a new way of doing things.

Safeties Derrick Tucker and Donovan Wilson have been physical and adapted well to the defense. Deshawn Capers-Smith has emerged as the nickel in passing situations and has the short area quickness to cover and hit.

-Finally, the kickers have been very good, as good as any unit on the team. Daniel LaCamera misses maybe one long kick a practice and Braden Mann consistently delivers long punts and kickoffs.

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