2015 Fall Camp Discussion

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who's gone: Cedric Ogbuehi (NFL), Jarvis Harrison (NFL), Ben Compton (eligibility expired), Garrett Gramling (eligibility expired), Kimo Tipoti (retired), Zach Ledwik (retired)
Who's back: #56 Mike Matthews (6-2, 290, SR), #79 Joseph Cheek (6-7, 311, SR), #74 Germain Ifedi (6-5, 325, JR), #73 Jeremiah Stuckey 81 (6-4, 300, JR), #63 Ryan Lindblade (6-7, 308, JR), #72 Jermaine Eluemunor (6-4, 315, JR), #65 Avery Gennesy (6-5, 300, JR), #77 J.J. Gustafson (6-5, 295, SO), #75 Koda Martin (6-6, 302, RS-FR), #50 Tank Davis (6-4, 310, RS-FR)
Who's new: #78 Keaton Sutherland 96 (6-5, 301, FR), #72 Trevor Elbert 91 (6-6, 320, FR), #70 Connor Lanfear 90 (6-6, 305, FR), #64 Erik McCoy 86 (6-4, 315, FR)

Since 2012, the Texas A&M oline run blocking slowly but surely got worse each year. It's hard to pinpoint the exact problem as individually the players showed well, but as a unit, they failed miserably, especially in cases when the offense ran the ball in obvious running situations. By mid-year 2014 it was simply atrocious and it led to the dismissal of OL Coach BJ Anderson. Enter the Dragon. Dave Christensen has an extremely long career as both an Oline coach and OC with even a stop as a Head Coach for Wyoming. Due to internal AD issues, he became available from Utah this off-season and Sumlin snapped him up. On paper, it's hard to envision a better match as Christensen has an extensive history coaching an extremely physical style out of similar offenses at Missouri, Wyoming, and Utah. His fiery personality will also likely make him a fan favorite.

The early buzz is the first thing addressed was attention to detail. A lot of technique has been sloppy from footwork to hand placement. Those little things can definitely be important. But the bigger changes are in scheme, where Christensen will implement more power concepts to mix in with the zone scheme from previous years. In other words, instead of blocking a guy in their area, OL are being asked to pull, trap and lead almost for the first time since Sherman's stint. Such schematics are less dependent on "numbers in the box" and are more about creating their own hole in the defense. It also requires being much more physical, something the A&M oline has gotten away from.

This change has led to a slight reshuffling of where the current players stand on the depth chart and RS-FR Koda Martin and true FR Keaton Sutherland were two of the standouts in spring ball. Combined with 3 returning starters and 2 top tier JUCO OL that redshirted last year, the talent isn't really a question and success will come down to how they will work together and adjust to the new scheme. Four of the 5 spots are probably solidified heading into fall camp with LT Gennesy, C Matthews, RG Cheek and RT Ifedi leaving only the LG spot up for grabs. JR Jeremiah Stuckey filled in for Matthews in the spring at center and was so impressive he began getting reps at LG. He'll battle JR "London" Eluemunor and the two freshman for that role in the fall. The original thought was to play Erik McCoy to get him some experience at center but Martin and Stuckey's versatility, both took turns at center in the spring, should allow for all the incoming freshman to redshirt if they do not win a starting job.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Who's gone: Tyrell Taylor (eligibility expired), Tyrone Taylor (retired)
Who's back: #10 Daeshon Hall (6-6, 260, JR), #15 Myles Garrett (6-5, 260, SO), #9 Qualen Cunningham (6-3, 240, SO), #40 Jarrett Johnson (6-3, 255, SO), #97 Darrell Jackson (6-5, 235, SO)
Who's new: #99 James Lockhart 92 (6-3, 250, FR)

There is an awful lot of excitement around the A&M DE situation. Everyone is talking about Myles Garrett but Daeshon Hall had a monster close to 2014 including being the best DE on the field in the bowl game. And both Qualen Cunningham and Jarrett Johnson showed elite flashes as freshmen. Word around the campfire is Hall carried over his late season play into spring ball and the DE spot was the most impressive defensive unit despite Garrett sitting out stretches. The unit was so good in fact that Julien Obioha, a 3-year returning starter, was asked to gain weight and make the transition to DT. Obioha will likely still see some DE looks in short yardage sets, but with the 2-deep all looking like future stars as well as the impressive, if not still very raw, Darrell Jackson waiting in the wings, he's just much more needed at DT. Incoming freshman James Lockhart is a bit in the Obioha mold that lacks ideal DE length but makes up for it with pure effort. While there is certainly a ton of talent that could enable Lockhart to redshirt, with only 5 other DEs officially, it wouldn't be surprising if he plays this year.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Who's gone: Ivan Robinson (eligibility expired), Jay Arnold (retired)
Who's back: #95 Julien Obioha (6-4, 270, SR), #83 Alonzo Williams (6-4, 305, SR), #98 Hardreck Walker (6-2, 300, JR), #55 Justin Manning (6-1, 300, SO), #92 Zaycoven Henderson (6-1, 290, SO), #13 Reggie Chevis (6-1, 280, SO), #90 DeShawn Washington (6-3, 285, RS-FR)
Who's new: #5 Daylon Mack 98 (6-1, 340, FR), Kingsley Keke 90 (6-3, 319, FR)

While the DE spot has been hailed, the DTs have been beaten up by many who feel they haven't lived up to their billing. It may not be a terribly fair assessment as DT is usually the slowest on the development curve and younger players are often eaten up. Most arrive from HS without proper technique or develop bodies because they have gotten by on pure size and athleticism to that point. So it's fairly routine for all schools that DTs emerge late in their college careers. For the first time since the 2012 season, A&M will be starting 2 DTs that have been in the program more than 2 years. Few would consider Zo Williams or Hardreck Walker elite, but they have developed into steady players that some of the more talented guys behind them are going to have to pass, whereas in years past, guys were simply thrust into the roles. Obioha and Henderson provided adequate experienced depth while the sometimes forgotten about DeShawn Washington claimed a 2nd team spot in the spring coming off a redshirt year. Justin Manning missed spring practice but provided his issues are behind him, could be a dark horse here. As far as incoming freshman, after Kyler Murray no one gets talked about more than Mack. Mack has the talent to force his way into the rotation almost immediately but with some steady bodies ahead of him, he's going to have to earn it. Keke has elite potential but he's probably looking at a redshirt as he played mostly 3-4 DE in HS and his body needs some time with Black Death.

When did the majority of arrests happen last year? Are we out of the woods on that front once fall practice starts?


Also, write up only has me more worried about LB's and cb's. That's the only thing I took from all of that. As is my nature.

I keep forgetting we got Keith Ford. Could be huge next year


Also you're the man

Awesome stuff. Thank you for all you bring to the board

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is there any chance that Armani Watts or Donovan Wilson might be tried at CB?

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I don't want to say none because shite happens, but no. Neither has press CB skills. I think if you wanted to sit primarily in a soft zone, Armani would be a good fit at corner but we're not doing that any more

thanks. Now I'm disappointed I dropped the Behind the Green Door reference

I'm just hoping these new hires will get us in the right direction on offense and defense.

It's clear what we were doing was not going to work long term in the SEC sans having a once a generation QB like Manziel.

Thanks for write-up, was looking forward to the 2015 thread on fall camp.

He will change a few things schematically, mainly the stance of OL, and be a big part of the offensive game plan meetings. Spav will be game day play caller though.