2021 Previews: SEC West

2. Texas A&M Aggies (11-1, 7-1)

Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks: Av
Running Backs: Ex
Wide Receivers: Vg
Offensive Line: Av
–
Defensive Line: Ex
Linebackers: Fr
Defensive Backs: Vg
Special Teams: Av

The Aggies have felt they were ready to knock on Alabama’s door for a while now already. In 2021, that dream may come true. Texas A&M has more holes that Alabama, but Jimbo Fisher is nothing if not an elite recruiter, and the Aggies have enough overall talent and depth to clearly separate themselves from the rest of the SEC West pack.

Offense: What could go right
There is depth at both receiver and running back, and Texas A&M may have the best tight end duo in the country, or at least the conference. Between Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane at tailback and Ainias Smith at receiver, whoever the new quarterback is will have plenty of options to keep defenses honest. While Smith is on the small side at receiver, A&M has a lot of length to go with him. Freshman Muhsin Muhammad III also has taken a big step forward during fall camp, and opposing secondaries are going to have a chore facing off against so many weapons.

Offense: What could go wrong
Fisher has been reluctant to name a starting quarterback yet. He appears to favor dual-threat scrambler Haynes King, even though Zach Calzada is the superior thrower by quite a bit. The love for King’s mobility, though, might end up being necessary if the offensive line continues to look average. Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson and all-American Kenyon Green will keep the tackle slots solid, but the interior of the line is still in flux, and the new quarterback is going to have to deal with pressure in his face.

Defense: What could go right
The defensive line and secondary are both full of upperclassmen with a lot of talent and experience on the job, and to the line, A&M added Shemar Turner, a true freshman who looks like he’ll be able to play a key role right out of the gate. The defensive backfield is solid on the edges. Observers rave about the Aggies’ ability to create a pass rush up front, and teams without elite offensive lines are going to have more than they can handle.

Defense: What could go wrong
The two linebacker spots are both mysteries, with the best of the bunch a freshman, Edgerrin Cooper. A&M will have to hide this group by scheme until it comes together, a tough ask in this conference. There aren’t so many concerns in the defensive backfield, but the safety group may have overachieved in 2020 and it remains to be seen whether that turns out to be a mirage, or the truth. As for special teams, the kicking spots themselves aren’t going to scare anyone.

One-sentence summary: The Aggies are almost to where they want to be.
Whether their year comes in 2021 remains to be seen, but this is a program on the upswing and has by far the best foundation of any team not named Alabama. The schedule breaks the right way in 2021, making a title run possible if they can get past Alabama on Oct. 9.

Continue Reading the 2021 SEC West Previews: LSU Tigers

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