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Jimbo 2020: Strangers with Candi


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17 hours ago, Kinky Catholic said:

I am trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I am supposedly "defending" a top 150 LB from a region where we thought we could cherry-pick kids the last two cycles. With the state of our LB room, he'd be a screaming take. I read LSU Boards and brought that info word for word over here. LSU was entertaining Doyle and BJ Ojulari as options for LB, and BJ committed first. It isn't rocket science. Bama hasn't made a push for him because they are more confident in other recruits right now but their mods are confident they can pick up steam with Doyle if they do decide to push. Right now, aggy and his hometown schools are the ones pushing hardest. Jesus fucking Christ have I spelled it out enough yet? God forbid anyone brings actual recruiting info to this clusterfuck of a board.

We can have an argument that Orlando doesn't pursue enough LBs, but seriously we can't have one that assumes we've even half-assedly tried to chase Doyle. 

Because we haven't. 

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Cover Story: The Aggies' position-by-position big picture

By Billy Liucci

November 3, 2019


After a lackluster first half, the Aggies woke up and took care of business against the UTSA Roadrunners in what amounted to a 'self-improvement Saturday' before the regular season's home stretch. The Ags face stiff SEC opposition the rest of the way, with South Carolina coming to Kyle Field before road trips to No. 6 Georgia and No. 1 LSU.

Before that brutal finishing kick, A&M will enjoy the second of two bye weeks, which means now is the perfect time to take a bit of a big-picture look at where Jimbo Fisher's building project currently sits.

On the same weekend that second-year coaches like Willie 'The Upgrade' Taggart (who was fired on Sunday barely 20 games into his tenure as Fisher's replacement), Chad 'Club Flub' Morris and former A&M boss Kevin Sumlin all suffered devastating defeats and other second-year men like Jeremy Pruitt, Chip Kelly and Joe Moorhead are essentially treading water, Fisher improved to 15-7 and may just have the Aggies playing their best ball of the season in November for the second straight fall. Whether or not that's enough to shake up the SEC title or College Football Playoff race remains to be seen, but it shouldn't be long before Fisher has Texas A&M as a regular contender for both.

We saw it last weekend, and we saw it again on Saturday: the Ags' young talent is exceptional, with several true freshmen already playing key roles. A&M starts just a single senior — an unusually low number (probably the least in college football), which means the Ags will return virtually everyone in 2020. Combine that with what is looking very much like back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes for Fisher and his staff, and things are quickly falling into place in College Station. The Ags can obviously help speed up the process with a couple of wins down the stretch and a noteworthy bowl win, but since it's the bye week, let's shelve the recap of UTSA (slow start, strong finish, yada yada yada), and take a position-by-position look at the here and now, and also the short-term future — we're talking 2020 and the three or four years following — of one of college football's emerging powers. Why? Because whether those in the national media are paying attention or not, things are still trending towards Fisher building a monster in Aggieland.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Zach Calzada and a couple of elite QBs not yet on campus will compete to take the reins of the A&M offense in 2021.

Quarterback: I mentioned this at a speaking engagement last week and meant it. I believe there is a very good chance that the next Aggie starting quarterback will win a national championship. There is a lot to unpack in that statement, so let me walk you guys through it. First, I believe Kellen Mond and the Ags will have that 'breakthrough' season the program has been needing since 2012 and that things have been building towards since Jimbo Fisher's arrival. We're talking a New Year's Six bowl game and, at the very least, entering mid-November as a legitimate playoff and SEC title contender. Mond could very well enter 2020 as the Pre-Season First Team All-SEC signal-caller with plenty of talent returning (and entering) around him, so let's tee it up against Bama, LSU and Auburn and see which team is the last one standing. After that, trying to predict Fisher's next starter is anyone's guess. The best quarterback developer in the game will choose between Zach Calzada (who will be entering his third year on campus), Haynes King‍  (he'll have a two full off-seasons and falls under his belt by then) and gifted true freshman Eli Stowers‍ (whose stock is soaring into that 'five star' stratosphere as a junior at Denton Guyer). Again, it's anyone's guess as to who will win out. Still, the talent assembled around said quarterback and the fact that we're likely talking about a future three-year starter (or more) means whoever it is will be handed the keys to a Ferrari and should have tremendous defensive support, as well.

Running Back: An interesting position that should be very good but could be great. Over the past three weeks, we've seen true freshman Isaiah Spiller go from a talented but mistake-prone youngster who lost a fumble in three straight SEC games to an emerging star who has run for 385 yards and five touchdowns on 58 carries in wins over Ole Miss, Mississippi State and UTSA. Spiller has been hogging the headlines with his stellar play, but a particularly interesting development over the past couple of weeks has been the quiet emergence of sophomore Cordarrian Richardson as a reliable and pretty damn talented No. 2. Richardson is tough to tackle and, though it's taken some time, seems to have begun to figure out the playbook. Of course, whether Jay Graham's room looks good or great moving forward is going to depend a lot on how the Aggies can close things out between now and February. The Ags have Georgia RB Deondre Jackson committed but need a lot more. They are right there in the thick of things with four talented backs, each rated four stars or higher, and every one of whom is being recruited nationally. Land two out of North Shore five-star Zach Evans‍, do-everything EJ Smith‍ from Dallas Jesuit, Fort Bend Marshall game-breaker Devon Achane‍ and dynamic California playmaker Daniyel Ngata‍ and, suddenly, the young talent in the A&M backfield measures up with what the Ags are stacking at WR, TE and QB. Looking ahead to 2021, I think there are two in-state runners on the early Aggie radar who have 'All-SEC stuff' in Cy-Fair's LJ Johnson Jr‍ and Lakeview Centennial's Camar Wheaton‍.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Jalen Wydermyer has made a huge impact at tight end in 2019, and A&M should be deep in TE talent moving forward.

Tight End: I think we can keep this one pretty short and sweet. Over the past few weeks, we've seen Jalen Wydermyer take a star turn. The 260-pound true freshman has produced four touchdowns in the Ags' last four games and has emerged as a legitimate big-play threat in the A&M passing game. Just nine games into his college career, Wydermyer has already produced 19 catches for 287 yards and a team-leading six scores. By this spring, Jalen will be joined by five-star signee Baylor Cupp, an equally imposing and talented tight end who was lost for the season during fall camp. Wydermyer and Cupp, plus sophomore blocker Glenn Beal and 2020 signee Blake Smith‍, will give Joe Jon Finley a championship-caliber room and a 1-2 punch at that top that could soon emerge as the best in the SEC, if not in all of college football.

Wide Receiver: Jhamon Ausbon, Quartney Davis, Kendrick Rogers and Cam Buckley can all return in 2020, and I'd be willing to bet two or three of the four will be back as Mond's primary targets next fall. Behind the veterans is a group loaded with talent today but only getting better. Exactly what you want to see if you're a head coach hoping to stack SEC-caliber depth. Ainias Smith is the guy currently generating the most buzz, along with five-star commit Demond Demas‍. Dameyune Craig also has several young prospects who are all capable of starting in the SEC already on campus, and he'll be adding Demas, NFL legacy Muhsin Muhammad III‍ and Devin Price‍ to the mix next fall. He won't be here until 2021, but North Shore game-breaker Shadrach Banks‍ may give the Ags a five-star playmaker and the best WR prospect in Texas in back-to-back classes. This is an excellent group that has the potential to become elite sometime next fall.

Offensive Line: The biggest question mark when talking about the Aggie offense, both in terms of where the unit will be next fall and also looking ahead to the short-term future at the position. Kenyon Green is battling while trying to figure things out at guard, but he's likely to be the Ags' best option at tackle as a sophomore next fall. If that happens, which senior tackle with two years of experience as an SEC starter moves inside? Do seniors Ryan McCollum and Jared Hocker earn starting nods, or will a youngster like Luke Matthews or even a grad transfer signee shake things up on the inside? Too many 'next year' questions to even attempt to answer in November of 2019, but one thing is certain. Fisher, Josh Henson and the A&M staff have to add as many studs in the trenches as possible between now and next fall, and do it all over again in 2021. Then and only then will the Aggies be positioned for conference title contention on a regular basis with Jimbo at the helm. The Ags have won a couple of important battles of late by prying Akinola Ogunbiyi‍ away from Georgia and pulling Chris Morris‍ out of Memphis. Those two, plus Josh Bankhead‍ and Smart Chibuzo‍, give the Ags four big, physical maulers up front. The Ags will attempt to add one more out of East Texas — either 330-pounder Ty'Kiest Crawford or Garrett Hayes‍ — and are the odds-on favorites to add a big-time piece at tackle if former Texas Longhorn Javonne Shepherd does what many believe he will and find his way into the Maroon & White. Adding the likes of Shep, Aki and Morris to the equation would be a huge step in the right direction, but I believe that adding a grad transfer is a must. And then comes the 2021 class, a loaded Lone Star crop that, if the Ags can land three of the big names available plus an out of state standout or two, will push the Maroon Goons over the top and back into a dominant run in the SEC trenches. If not, all of the skill position talent on campus won't be enough to win a title.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Despite limited impact in 2019, many still believe Bobby Brown will evolve into a game-changer.

Defensive Line: If Justin Madubuike (who isn't being projected as a first-rounder just yet) surprises and decides to return for his senior season, the Ags will feature an All-American at the top and be incredibly deep on the inside next fall. Bobby Brown hasn't been as impactful as expected this fall. Still, he's been solid and is getting better. Program insiders believe he'll be a game-changing presence as a junior (remember, this is his first full season on the inside). Beyond those two and 2020 senior Jayden Peevy, the youth on the roster includes true freshmen Derick Hunter and Adarious Jones, plus the potential of emerging star DeMarvin Leal eventually growing into more of a DT. Newcomers next fall? New Jersey wrecking ball Isaiah Raikes‍ (insiders believe he's the most underrated member of the Ags' current class), Tennessee product Dallas Walker‍ and Blinn standout/2019 signee Josh Ellison‍. Raikes and Ellison are particularly disruptive, and Walker is an exceptional athlete at over 300 pounds. If Elijah Robinson can add one of two Deep South four-stars — McKinnley Jackson‍ or Omari Thomas‍ — then his cupboard will be pretty loaded next fall and beyond.

Things are a little more cloudy at end, but it's not like Terry Price doesn't have a nice collection of talent and experienced options to work with over the next couple of years. The current list includes DeMarvin Leal (he had six tackles and 2 TFLs on Saturday and is really coming on), Tyree Johnson, Tyree Wilson, Jeremiah Martin and Max Wright. That entire group is either freshmen or sophomores, so the immediate future is in solid shape. Solid but not yet 'SEC West spectacular,' which is where the Ags are trying to take things at the position with the classes of '20 and '21. What the Ags need more than anything on defense might be more explosion off the edge and on the perimeter. Mike Elko has a chance to add a lot of that between now and next fall, but it won't be easy. Miami pass-rusher extraordinaire Donell Harris‍ will choose between A&M (the momentum is currently trending the Ags' way) and LSU on November 11, and the Aggies will fight to hang on to longtime commit Fadil Diggs‍ between now and NSD. Florida and Penn State are pushing, but the Ags should win out. Adding Diggs, Harris and 2019 signee Braedon Mowry is exactly what the A&M defense needs, and that group could very well produce a couple of elite SEC edge rushers before all is said and done. A ton of twitch in that trio. And looking way ahead, the Texas crop of defensive ends in 2021 probably rates right behind the offensive line in terms of quality, high-end Power 5 depth.

Linebacker: Don't look now, but things are finally looking up at the position. No, the Aggies aren't there yet, and landing at least one potential difference-maker in 2020 feels like a need that would qualify as pretty desperate. However, the talent on campus is getting closer to where it needs to be, though still a little behind where the Ags are everywhere else on defense. Buddy Johnson has been one of the Ags' breakout performers this fall. Both he and Anthony Hines will return as starters next fall. Aaron Hansford and Andre White have impressed in recent weeks. White and fellow true freshman Chris Russell both look the part of SEC West run/pass stoppers. We'll need to see if redshirt freshmen Ke'Shun Brown and Tarian Lee can extend the depth next fall, but the fact we're even on the verge of being able to use the 'd word' in Aggieland is encouraging. That said, there is still work to be done on the recruiting trail. Again, a position where the overall talent level is in need of an upgrade, particularly in the speed/playmaking department. The Aggie linebacking corps adding a difference-maker ranks right there with two tailbacks and an elite pass-rusher as the most pressing remaining 2020 need. Antonio Doyle‍ would be an out-of-state coup on par with fellow long, athletic playmakers Diggs and Harris in the front seven, representing another big step towards the unit finally turning the corner and truly being 'SEC Ready.'

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Charles Oliver will likely be the only departure from a much improved Texas A&M secondary.

Defensive Backs: This might be the position that I'm most excited about. The unit wasn't very good in 2018 and might be the most improved position on the field this fall. The back end of the A&M defense has been solid this year, but I'm convinced that ‘special’ is on the horizon, thanks to outstanding results on the recruiting front. Next fall, the Ags lose only part-time nickel Charles Oliver from the current playing rotation, so Elko and Mo Linguist will return a ton of starting SEC experience. Demani Richardson looks like a future star at safety, and the Ags are set to welcome five-star corner Jaylon Jones‍ and impact safety Antonio Johnson‍. Longtime commit Joshuah Moten‍ is grossly underrated on the East Coast (if you haven't seen his senior highlights, do yourself a favor and go watch them). The Aggies could very well add coveted corner Dontae Manning‍ or JUCO standout Brian George‍ before the dust settles. Leon O'Neal, Brian Williams and Erick Young give the Ags three other talented youngsters who could impact the defense at more than one position, as well. Shoring up the short-term future at corner — and putting more natural cover men on the field — after next year's seniors depart is an absolute must, but the Ags appear to be on the verge of doing so and, as a result, we could look up and realize that the safety position is suddenly loaded with SEC-caliber talent, as well.

Special Teams: Seth Small will be a junior next year, and Caden Davis is a powerful-legged true freshman, so kicker is good. We got a sneak peek at Nik Constantinou on Saturday when the Australian import launched a 57-yard rocket. The kicking game appears in excellent hands, and Ainias Smith plus someone like Devon Achane would make the Aggies particularly dangerous in the return game.

And with that, we return to our regularly-scheduled SEC stretch run. We'll know soon enough whether or not the Ags are able to speed up the aforementioned Process with a big win or two in November or perhaps even January.

 

 

 

 

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That’s it. I’m putting money on them to win it all for at least 2 of the next 5 years.  No way can Bama, LSU, or Auburn get better while the ags do. And UGA, Florida, and Clemson, pfft. Weak ass East and non-SEC pretenders.  Have your seen OSU’s schedule?  They shouldn’t even be spoken in the same sentence.

yadda yada bullshit blah blah.  I am surprised he was only able to get one mention of UT in that entire article. 

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9 hours ago, Lobwedgephil said:

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  Reveal hidden contents

Cover Story: The Aggies' position-by-position big picture

By Billy Liucci

November 3, 2019


After a lackluster first half, the Aggies woke up and took care of business against the UTSA Roadrunners in what amounted to a 'self-improvement Saturday' before the regular season's home stretch. The Ags face stiff SEC opposition the rest of the way, with South Carolina coming to Kyle Field before road trips to No. 6 Georgia and No. 1 LSU.

Before that brutal finishing kick, A&M will enjoy the second of two bye weeks, which means now is the perfect time to take a bit of a big-picture look at where Jimbo Fisher's building project currently sits.

On the same weekend that second-year coaches like Willie 'The Upgrade' Taggart (who was fired on Sunday barely 20 games into his tenure as Fisher's replacement), Chad 'Club Flub' Morris and former A&M boss Kevin Sumlin all suffered devastating defeats and other second-year men like Jeremy Pruitt, Chip Kelly and Joe Moorhead are essentially treading water, Fisher improved to 15-7 and may just have the Aggies playing their best ball of the season in November for the second straight fall. Whether or not that's enough to shake up the SEC title or College Football Playoff race remains to be seen, but it shouldn't be long before Fisher has Texas A&M as a regular contender for both.

We saw it last weekend, and we saw it again on Saturday: the Ags' young talent is exceptional, with several true freshmen already playing key roles. A&M starts just a single senior — an unusually low number (probably the least in college football), which means the Ags will return virtually everyone in 2020. Combine that with what is looking very much like back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes for Fisher and his staff, and things are quickly falling into place in College Station. The Ags can obviously help speed up the process with a couple of wins down the stretch and a noteworthy bowl win, but since it's the bye week, let's shelve the recap of UTSA (slow start, strong finish, yada yada yada), and take a position-by-position look at the here and now, and also the short-term future — we're talking 2020 and the three or four years following — of one of college football's emerging powers. Why? Because whether those in the national media are paying attention or not, things are still trending towards Fisher building a monster in Aggieland.

 

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Zach Calzada and a couple of elite QBs not yet on campus will compete to take the reins of the A&M offense in 2021.

Quarterback: I mentioned this at a speaking engagement last week and meant it. I believe there is a very good chance that the next Aggie starting quarterback will win a national championship. There is a lot to unpack in that statement, so let me walk you guys through it. First, I believe Kellen Mond and the Ags will have that 'breakthrough' season the program has been needing since 2012 and that things have been building towards since Jimbo Fisher's arrival. We're talking a New Year's Six bowl game and, at the very least, entering mid-November as a legitimate playoff and SEC title contender. Mond could very well enter 2020 as the Pre-Season First Team All-SEC signal-caller with plenty of talent returning (and entering) around him, so let's tee it up against Bama, LSU and Auburn and see which team is the last one standing. After that, trying to predict Fisher's next starter is anyone's guess. The best quarterback developer in the game will choose between Zach Calzada (who will be entering his third year on campus), Haynes King‍  (he'll have a two full off-seasons and falls under his belt by then) and gifted true freshman Eli Stowers‍ (whose stock is soaring into that 'five star' stratosphere as a junior at Denton Guyer). Again, it's anyone's guess as to who will win out. Still, the talent assembled around said quarterback and the fact that we're likely talking about a future three-year starter (or more) means whoever it is will be handed the keys to a Ferrari and should have tremendous defensive support, as well.

Running Back: An interesting position that should be very good but could be great. Over the past three weeks, we've seen true freshman Isaiah Spiller go from a talented but mistake-prone youngster who lost a fumble in three straight SEC games to an emerging star who has run for 385 yards and five touchdowns on 58 carries in wins over Ole Miss, Mississippi State and UTSA. Spiller has been hogging the headlines with his stellar play, but a particularly interesting development over the past couple of weeks has been the quiet emergence of sophomore Cordarrian Richardson as a reliable and pretty damn talented No. 2. Richardson is tough to tackle and, though it's taken some time, seems to have begun to figure out the playbook. Of course, whether Jay Graham's room looks good or great moving forward is going to depend a lot on how the Aggies can close things out between now and February. The Ags have Georgia RB Deondre Jackson committed but need a lot more. They are right there in the thick of things with four talented backs, each rated four stars or higher, and every one of whom is being recruited nationally. Land two out of North Shore five-star Zach Evans‍, do-everything EJ Smith‍ from Dallas Jesuit, Fort Bend Marshall game-breaker Devon Achane‍ and dynamic California playmaker Daniyel Ngata‍ and, suddenly, the young talent in the A&M backfield measures up with what the Ags are stacking at WR, TE and QB. Looking ahead to 2021, I think there are two in-state runners on the early Aggie radar who have 'All-SEC stuff' in Cy-Fair's LJ Johnson Jr‍ and Lakeview Centennial's Camar Wheaton‍.

 

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Jalen Wydermyer has made a huge impact at tight end in 2019, and A&M should be deep in TE talent moving forward.

Tight End: I think we can keep this one pretty short and sweet. Over the past few weeks, we've seen Jalen Wydermyer take a star turn. The 260-pound true freshman has produced four touchdowns in the Ags' last four games and has emerged as a legitimate big-play threat in the A&M passing game. Just nine games into his college career, Wydermyer has already produced 19 catches for 287 yards and a team-leading six scores. By this spring, Jalen will be joined by five-star signee Baylor Cupp, an equally imposing and talented tight end who was lost for the season during fall camp. Wydermyer and Cupp, plus sophomore blocker Glenn Beal and 2020 signee Blake Smith‍, will give Joe Jon Finley a championship-caliber room and a 1-2 punch at that top that could soon emerge as the best in the SEC, if not in all of college football.

Wide Receiver: Jhamon Ausbon, Quartney Davis, Kendrick Rogers and Cam Buckley can all return in 2020, and I'd be willing to bet two or three of the four will be back as Mond's primary targets next fall. Behind the veterans is a group loaded with talent today but only getting better. Exactly what you want to see if you're a head coach hoping to stack SEC-caliber depth. Ainias Smith is the guy currently generating the most buzz, along with five-star commit Demond Demas‍. Dameyune Craig also has several young prospects who are all capable of starting in the SEC already on campus, and he'll be adding Demas, NFL legacy Muhsin Muhammad III‍ and Devin Price‍ to the mix next fall. He won't be here until 2021, but North Shore game-breaker Shadrach Banks‍ may give the Ags a five-star playmaker and the best WR prospect in Texas in back-to-back classes. This is an excellent group that has the potential to become elite sometime next fall.

Offensive Line: The biggest question mark when talking about the Aggie offense, both in terms of where the unit will be next fall and also looking ahead to the short-term future at the position. Kenyon Green is battling while trying to figure things out at guard, but he's likely to be the Ags' best option at tackle as a sophomore next fall. If that happens, which senior tackle with two years of experience as an SEC starter moves inside? Do seniors Ryan McCollum and Jared Hocker earn starting nods, or will a youngster like Luke Matthews or even a grad transfer signee shake things up on the inside? Too many 'next year' questions to even attempt to answer in November of 2019, but one thing is certain. Fisher, Josh Henson and the A&M staff have to add as many studs in the trenches as possible between now and next fall, and do it all over again in 2021. Then and only then will the Aggies be positioned for conference title contention on a regular basis with Jimbo at the helm. The Ags have won a couple of important battles of late by prying Akinola Ogunbiyi‍ away from Georgia and pulling Chris Morris‍ out of Memphis. Those two, plus Josh Bankhead‍ and Smart Chibuzo‍, give the Ags four big, physical maulers up front. The Ags will attempt to add one more out of East Texas — either 330-pounder Ty'Kiest Crawford or Garrett Hayes‍ — and are the odds-on favorites to add a big-time piece at tackle if former Texas Longhorn Javonne Shepherd does what many believe he will and find his way into the Maroon & White. Adding the likes of Shep, Aki and Morris to the equation would be a huge step in the right direction, but I believe that adding a grad transfer is a must. And then comes the 2021 class, a loaded Lone Star crop that, if the Ags can land three of the big names available plus an out of state standout or two, will push the Maroon Goons over the top and back into a dominant run in the SEC trenches. If not, all of the skill position talent on campus won't be enough to win a title.

 

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Despite limited impact in 2019, many still believe Bobby Brown will evolve into a game-changer.

Defensive Line: If Justin Madubuike (who isn't being projected as a first-rounder just yet) surprises and decides to return for his senior season, the Ags will feature an All-American at the top and be incredibly deep on the inside next fall. Bobby Brown hasn't been as impactful as expected this fall. Still, he's been solid and is getting better. Program insiders believe he'll be a game-changing presence as a junior (remember, this is his first full season on the inside). Beyond those two and 2020 senior Jayden Peevy, the youth on the roster includes true freshmen Derick Hunter and Adarious Jones, plus the potential of emerging star DeMarvin Leal eventually growing into more of a DT. Newcomers next fall? New Jersey wrecking ball Isaiah Raikes‍ (insiders believe he's the most underrated member of the Ags' current class), Tennessee product Dallas Walker‍ and Blinn standout/2019 signee Josh Ellison‍. Raikes and Ellison are particularly disruptive, and Walker is an exceptional athlete at over 300 pounds. If Elijah Robinson can add one of two Deep South four-stars — McKinnley Jackson‍ or Omari Thomas‍ — then his cupboard will be pretty loaded next fall and beyond.

Things are a little more cloudy at end, but it's not like Terry Price doesn't have a nice collection of talent and experienced options to work with over the next couple of years. The current list includes DeMarvin Leal (he had six tackles and 2 TFLs on Saturday and is really coming on), Tyree Johnson, Tyree Wilson, Jeremiah Martin and Max Wright. That entire group is either freshmen or sophomores, so the immediate future is in solid shape. Solid but not yet 'SEC West spectacular,' which is where the Ags are trying to take things at the position with the classes of '20 and '21. What the Ags need more than anything on defense might be more explosion off the edge and on the perimeter. Mike Elko has a chance to add a lot of that between now and next fall, but it won't be easy. Miami pass-rusher extraordinaire Donell Harris‍ will choose between A&M (the momentum is currently trending the Ags' way) and LSU on November 11, and the Aggies will fight to hang on to longtime commit Fadil Diggs‍ between now and NSD. Florida and Penn State are pushing, but the Ags should win out. Adding Diggs, Harris and 2019 signee Braedon Mowry is exactly what the A&M defense needs, and that group could very well produce a couple of elite SEC edge rushers before all is said and done. A ton of twitch in that trio. And looking way ahead, the Texas crop of defensive ends in 2021 probably rates right behind the offensive line in terms of quality, high-end Power 5 depth.

Linebacker: Don't look now, but things are finally looking up at the position. No, the Aggies aren't there yet, and landing at least one potential difference-maker in 2020 feels like a need that would qualify as pretty desperate. However, the talent on campus is getting closer to where it needs to be, though still a little behind where the Ags are everywhere else on defense. Buddy Johnson has been one of the Ags' breakout performers this fall. Both he and Anthony Hines will return as starters next fall. Aaron Hansford and Andre White have impressed in recent weeks. White and fellow true freshman Chris Russell both look the part of SEC West run/pass stoppers. We'll need to see if redshirt freshmen Ke'Shun Brown and Tarian Lee can extend the depth next fall, but the fact we're even on the verge of being able to use the 'd word' in Aggieland is encouraging. That said, there is still work to be done on the recruiting trail. Again, a position where the overall talent level is in need of an upgrade, particularly in the speed/playmaking department. The Aggie linebacking corps adding a difference-maker ranks right there with two tailbacks and an elite pass-rusher as the most pressing remaining 2020 need. Antonio Doyle‍ would be an out-of-state coup on par with fellow long, athletic playmakers Diggs and Harris in the front seven, representing another big step towards the unit finally turning the corner and truly being 'SEC Ready.'

 

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Charles Oliver will likely be the only departure from a much improved Texas A&M secondary.

Defensive Backs: This might be the position that I'm most excited about. The unit wasn't very good in 2018 and might be the most improved position on the field this fall. The back end of the A&M defense has been solid this year, but I'm convinced that ‘special’ is on the horizon, thanks to outstanding results on the recruiting front. Next fall, the Ags lose only part-time nickel Charles Oliver from the current playing rotation, so Elko and Mo Linguist will return a ton of starting SEC experience. Demani Richardson looks like a future star at safety, and the Ags are set to welcome five-star corner Jaylon Jones‍ and impact safety Antonio Johnson‍. Longtime commit Joshuah Moten‍ is grossly underrated on the East Coast (if you haven't seen his senior highlights, do yourself a favor and go watch them). The Aggies could very well add coveted corner Dontae Manning‍ or JUCO standout Brian George‍ before the dust settles. Leon O'Neal, Brian Williams and Erick Young give the Ags three other talented youngsters who could impact the defense at more than one position, as well. Shoring up the short-term future at corner — and putting more natural cover men on the field — after next year's seniors depart is an absolute must, but the Ags appear to be on the verge of doing so and, as a result, we could look up and realize that the safety position is suddenly loaded with SEC-caliber talent, as well.

Special Teams: Seth Small will be a junior next year, and Caden Davis is a powerful-legged true freshman, so kicker is good. We got a sneak peek at Nik Constantinou on Saturday when the Australian import launched a 57-yard rocket. The kicking game appears in excellent hands, and Ainias Smith plus someone like Devon Achane would make the Aggies particularly dangerous in the return game.

And with that, we return to our regularly-scheduled SEC stretch run. We'll know soon enough whether or not the Ags are able to speed up the aforementioned Process with a big win or two in November or perhaps even January.

 

 

 

 

Can someone write up one of these for Texas?  I really need something to feel better about this year. 

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Spoiler

Cover Story: The Aggies' position-by-position big picture

By Billy Liucci

November 3, 2019


After a lackluster first half, the Aggies woke up and took care of business against the UTSA Roadrunners in what amounted to a 'self-improvement Saturday' before the regular season's home stretch. The Ags face stiff SEC opposition the rest of the way, with South Carolina coming to Kyle Field before road trips to No. 6 Georgia and No. 1 LSU.

Before that brutal finishing kick, A&M will enjoy the second of two bye weeks, which means now is the perfect time to take a bit of a big-picture look at where Jimbo Fisher's building project currently sits.

On the same weekend that second-year coaches like Willie 'The Upgrade' Taggart (who was fired on Sunday barely 20 games into his tenure as Fisher's replacement), Chad 'Club Flub' Morris and former A&M boss Kevin Sumlin all suffered devastating defeats and other second-year men like Jeremy Pruitt, Chip Kelly and Joe Moorhead are essentially treading water, Fisher improved to 15-7 and may just have the Aggies playing their best ball of the season in November for the second straight fall. Whether or not that's enough to shake up the SEC title or College Football Playoff race remains to be seen, but it shouldn't be long before Fisher has Texas A&M as a regular contender for both.

We saw it last weekend, and we saw it again on Saturday: the Ags' young talent is exceptional, with several true freshmen already playing key roles. A&M starts just a single senior — an unusually low number (probably the least in college football), which means the Ags will return virtually everyone in 2020. Combine that with what is looking very much like back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes for Fisher and his staff, and things are quickly falling into place in College Station. The Ags can obviously help speed up the process with a couple of wins down the stretch and a noteworthy bowl win, but since it's the bye week, let's shelve the recap of UTSA (slow start, strong finish, yada yada yada), and take a position-by-position look at the here and now, and also the short-term future — we're talking 2020 and the three or four years following — of one of college football's emerging powers. Why? Because whether those in the national media are paying attention or not, things are still trending towards Fisher building a monster in Aggieland.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Zach Calzada and a couple of elite QBs not yet on campus will compete to take the reins of the A&M offense in 2021.

Quarterback: I mentioned this at a speaking engagement last week and meant it. I believe there is a very good chance that the next Aggie starting quarterback will win a national championship. There is a lot to unpack in that statement, so let me walk you guys through it. First, I believe Kellen Mond and the Ags will have that 'breakthrough' season the program has been needing since 2012 and that things have been building towards since Jimbo Fisher's arrival. We're talking a New Year's Six bowl game and, at the very least, entering mid-November as a legitimate playoff and SEC title contender. Mond could very well enter 2020 as the Pre-Season First Team All-SEC signal-caller with plenty of talent returning (and entering) around him, so let's tee it up against Bama, LSU and Auburn and see which team is the last one standing. After that, trying to predict Fisher's next starter is anyone's guess. The best quarterback developer in the game will choose between Zach Calzada (who will be entering his third year on campus), Haynes King‍  (he'll have a two full off-seasons and falls under his belt by then) and gifted true freshman Eli Stowers‍ (whose stock is soaring into that 'five star' stratosphere as a junior at Denton Guyer). Again, it's anyone's guess as to who will win out. Still, the talent assembled around said quarterback and the fact that we're likely talking about a future three-year starter (or more) means whoever it is will be handed the keys to a Ferrari and should have tremendous defensive support, as well.

Running Back: An interesting position that should be very good but could be great. Over the past three weeks, we've seen true freshman Isaiah Spiller go from a talented but mistake-prone youngster who lost a fumble in three straight SEC games to an emerging star who has run for 385 yards and five touchdowns on 58 carries in wins over Ole Miss, Mississippi State and UTSA. Spiller has been hogging the headlines with his stellar play, but a particularly interesting development over the past couple of weeks has been the quiet emergence of sophomore Cordarrian Richardson as a reliable and pretty damn talented No. 2. Richardson is tough to tackle and, though it's taken some time, seems to have begun to figure out the playbook. Of course, whether Jay Graham's room looks good or great moving forward is going to depend a lot on how the Aggies can close things out between now and February. The Ags have Georgia RB Deondre Jackson committed but need a lot more. They are right there in the thick of things with four talented backs, each rated four stars or higher, and every one of whom is being recruited nationally. Land two out of North Shore five-star Zach Evans‍, do-everything EJ Smith‍ from Dallas Jesuit, Fort Bend Marshall game-breaker Devon Achane‍ and dynamic California playmaker Daniyel Ngata‍ and, suddenly, the young talent in the A&M backfield measures up with what the Ags are stacking at WR, TE and QB. Looking ahead to 2021, I think there are two in-state runners on the early Aggie radar who have 'All-SEC stuff' in Cy-Fair's LJ Johnson Jr‍ and Lakeview Centennial's Camar Wheaton‍.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Jalen Wydermyer has made a huge impact at tight end in 2019, and A&M should be deep in TE talent moving forward.

Tight End: I think we can keep this one pretty short and sweet. Over the past few weeks, we've seen Jalen Wydermyer take a star turn. The 260-pound true freshman has produced four touchdowns in the Ags' last four games and has emerged as a legitimate big-play threat in the A&M passing game. Just nine games into his college career, Wydermyer has already produced 19 catches for 287 yards and a team-leading six scores. By this spring, Jalen will be joined by five-star signee Baylor Cupp, an equally imposing and talented tight end who was lost for the season during fall camp. Wydermyer and Cupp, plus sophomore blocker Glenn Beal and 2020 signee Blake Smith‍, will give Joe Jon Finley a championship-caliber room and a 1-2 punch at that top that could soon emerge as the best in the SEC, if not in all of college football.

Wide Receiver: Jhamon Ausbon, Quartney Davis, Kendrick Rogers and Cam Buckley can all return in 2020, and I'd be willing to bet two or three of the four will be back as Mond's primary targets next fall. Behind the veterans is a group loaded with talent today but only getting better. Exactly what you want to see if you're a head coach hoping to stack SEC-caliber depth. Ainias Smith is the guy currently generating the most buzz, along with five-star commit Demond Demas‍. Dameyune Craig also has several young prospects who are all capable of starting in the SEC already on campus, and he'll be adding Demas, NFL legacy Muhsin Muhammad III‍ and Devin Price‍ to the mix next fall. He won't be here until 2021, but North Shore game-breaker Shadrach Banks‍ may give the Ags a five-star playmaker and the best WR prospect in Texas in back-to-back classes. This is an excellent group that has the potential to become elite sometime next fall.

Offensive Line: The biggest question mark when talking about the Aggie offense, both in terms of where the unit will be next fall and also looking ahead to the short-term future at the position. Kenyon Green is battling while trying to figure things out at guard, but he's likely to be the Ags' best option at tackle as a sophomore next fall. If that happens, which senior tackle with two years of experience as an SEC starter moves inside? Do seniors Ryan McCollum and Jared Hocker earn starting nods, or will a youngster like Luke Matthews or even a grad transfer signee shake things up on the inside? Too many 'next year' questions to even attempt to answer in November of 2019, but one thing is certain. Fisher, Josh Henson and the A&M staff have to add as many studs in the trenches as possible between now and next fall, and do it all over again in 2021. Then and only then will the Aggies be positioned for conference title contention on a regular basis with Jimbo at the helm. The Ags have won a couple of important battles of late by prying Akinola Ogunbiyi‍ away from Georgia and pulling Chris Morris‍ out of Memphis. Those two, plus Josh Bankhead‍ and Smart Chibuzo‍, give the Ags four big, physical maulers up front. The Ags will attempt to add one more out of East Texas — either 330-pounder Ty'Kiest Crawford or Garrett Hayes‍ — and are the odds-on favorites to add a big-time piece at tackle if former Texas Longhorn Javonne Shepherd does what many believe he will and find his way into the Maroon & White. Adding the likes of Shep, Aki and Morris to the equation would be a huge step in the right direction, but I believe that adding a grad transfer is a must. And then comes the 2021 class, a loaded Lone Star crop that, if the Ags can land three of the big names available plus an out of state standout or two, will push the Maroon Goons over the top and back into a dominant run in the SEC trenches. If not, all of the skill position talent on campus won't be enough to win a title.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Despite limited impact in 2019, many still believe Bobby Brown will evolve into a game-changer.

Defensive Line: If Justin Madubuike (who isn't being projected as a first-rounder just yet) surprises and decides to return for his senior season, the Ags will feature an All-American at the top and be incredibly deep on the inside next fall. Bobby Brown hasn't been as impactful as expected this fall. Still, he's been solid and is getting better. Program insiders believe he'll be a game-changing presence as a junior (remember, this is his first full season on the inside). Beyond those two and 2020 senior Jayden Peevy, the youth on the roster includes true freshmen Derick Hunter and Adarious Jones, plus the potential of emerging star DeMarvin Leal eventually growing into more of a DT. Newcomers next fall? New Jersey wrecking ball Isaiah Raikes‍ (insiders believe he's the most underrated member of the Ags' current class), Tennessee product Dallas Walker‍ and Blinn standout/2019 signee Josh Ellison‍. Raikes and Ellison are particularly disruptive, and Walker is an exceptional athlete at over 300 pounds. If Elijah Robinson can add one of two Deep South four-stars — McKinnley Jackson‍ or Omari Thomas‍ — then his cupboard will be pretty loaded next fall and beyond.

Things are a little more cloudy at end, but it's not like Terry Price doesn't have a nice collection of talent and experienced options to work with over the next couple of years. The current list includes DeMarvin Leal (he had six tackles and 2 TFLs on Saturday and is really coming on), Tyree Johnson, Tyree Wilson, Jeremiah Martin and Max Wright. That entire group is either freshmen or sophomores, so the immediate future is in solid shape. Solid but not yet 'SEC West spectacular,' which is where the Ags are trying to take things at the position with the classes of '20 and '21. What the Ags need more than anything on defense might be more explosion off the edge and on the perimeter. Mike Elko has a chance to add a lot of that between now and next fall, but it won't be easy. Miami pass-rusher extraordinaire Donell Harris‍ will choose between A&M (the momentum is currently trending the Ags' way) and LSU on November 11, and the Aggies will fight to hang on to longtime commit Fadil Diggs‍ between now and NSD. Florida and Penn State are pushing, but the Ags should win out. Adding Diggs, Harris and 2019 signee Braedon Mowry is exactly what the A&M defense needs, and that group could very well produce a couple of elite SEC edge rushers before all is said and done. A ton of twitch in that trio. And looking way ahead, the Texas crop of defensive ends in 2021 probably rates right behind the offensive line in terms of quality, high-end Power 5 depth.

Linebacker: Don't look now, but things are finally looking up at the position. No, the Aggies aren't there yet, and landing at least one potential difference-maker in 2020 feels like a need that would qualify as pretty desperate. However, the talent on campus is getting closer to where it needs to be, though still a little behind where the Ags are everywhere else on defense. Buddy Johnson has been one of the Ags' breakout performers this fall. Both he and Anthony Hines will return as starters next fall. Aaron Hansford and Andre White have impressed in recent weeks. White and fellow true freshman Chris Russell both look the part of SEC West run/pass stoppers. We'll need to see if redshirt freshmen Ke'Shun Brown and Tarian Lee can extend the depth next fall, but the fact we're even on the verge of being able to use the 'd word' in Aggieland is encouraging. That said, there is still work to be done on the recruiting trail. Again, a position where the overall talent level is in need of an upgrade, particularly in the speed/playmaking department. The Aggie linebacking corps adding a difference-maker ranks right there with two tailbacks and an elite pass-rusher as the most pressing remaining 2020 need. Antonio Doyle‍ would be an out-of-state coup on par with fellow long, athletic playmakers Diggs and Harris in the front seven, representing another big step towards the unit finally turning the corner and truly being 'SEC Ready.'

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Charles Oliver will likely be the only departure from a much improved Texas A&M secondary.

Defensive Backs: This might be the position that I'm most excited about. The unit wasn't very good in 2018 and might be the most improved position on the field this fall. The back end of the A&M defense has been solid this year, but I'm convinced that ‘special’ is on the horizon, thanks to outstanding results on the recruiting front. Next fall, the Ags lose only part-time nickel Charles Oliver from the current playing rotation, so Elko and Mo Linguist will return a ton of starting SEC experience. Demani Richardson looks like a future star at safety, and the Ags are set to welcome five-star corner Jaylon Jones‍ and impact safety Antonio Johnson‍. Longtime commit Joshuah Moten‍ is grossly underrated on the East Coast (if you haven't seen his senior highlights, do yourself a favor and go watch them). The Aggies could very well add coveted corner Dontae Manning‍ or JUCO standout Brian George‍ before the dust settles. Leon O'Neal, Brian Williams and Erick Young give the Ags three other talented youngsters who could impact the defense at more than one position, as well. Shoring up the short-term future at corner — and putting more natural cover men on the field — after next year's seniors depart is an absolute must, but the Ags appear to be on the verge of doing so and, as a result, we could look up and realize that the safety position is suddenly loaded with SEC-caliber talent, as well.

Special Teams: Seth Small will be a junior next year, and Caden Davis is a powerful-legged true freshman, so kicker is good. We got a sneak peek at Nik Constantinou on Saturday when the Australian import launched a 57-yard rocket. The kicking game appears in excellent hands, and Ainias Smith plus someone like Devon Achane would make the Aggies particularly dangerous in the return game.

And with that, we return to our regularly-scheduled SEC stretch run. We'll know soon enough whether or not the Ags are able to speed up the aforementioned Process with a big win or two in November or perhaps even January.

 
 
 
 
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8 hours ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Any chance Diggs flips to PSU?  Or has he been bought and delivered to play for a scrub program over a playoff contender?

I mean there's always a chance, but there's a reason why a bunch of random dudes with no ties to Texas from the NE all of the sudden want to travel 7 states away to play for a perennial 7-8 win team in a shithole town. 

Happens all the time. 

Imagine Vernon Broughton not going to Texas and committing to South Carolina. I'm sure everyone would assume he just likes Palmettos 

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1 hour ago, Neonmoon said:

I mean there's always a chance, but there's a reason why a bunch of random dudes with no ties to Texas from the NE all of the sudden want to travel 7 states away to play for a perennial 7-8 win team in a shithole town. 

Happens all the time. 

Imagine Vernon Broughton not going to Texas and committing to South Carolina. I'm sure everyone would assume he just likes Palmettos 

or Ole Miss a few years back...I'm sure everything was on the up and up with that  

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Surly you jest? Is there smoke on Diggs looking to Penn State, or is Penn State suddenly pursuing him more? I don't have any insider info.

The Inky had an article on him from the time of his verbal back in the Spring. A&M's DL coach is a graduate of Diggs' high school and they two seem to have bonded well. The current coach of his high school also ended up down south, to Tulane, for his college playing days.

Quote

Diggs said a big factor in his decision was a local connection. Texas A&M’s defensive line coach is Elijah Robinson, a Wilson graduate and most recently an assistant coach at Baylor.

Quote

“Me and [Robinson] can relate to each other,” Diggs said. “He went to Wilson and came from Camden, and me and him can talk if I am not feeling comfortable."

Quote

Diggs said he did his homework during his recruiting process. He made unofficial visits to Texas A&M, Florida, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and LSU.

He said Texas A&M and the SEC are a perfect fit.

“Me playing against the top guys -- Alabama, Kentucky, LSU -- I feel like I am testing my skill level by going against those dudes every year,” Diggs said.

While Diggs said he enjoyed his recruiting experience, he’s glad it’s over.

https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/new-jersey/recruiting-football-south-jersey-fadil-diggs-woodrow-wilson-texas-20190805.html

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4 hours ago, Neonmoon said:

Imagine Vernon Broughton not going to Texas and committing to South Carolina. I'm sure everyone would assume he just likes Palmettos 

So you're comparing Texas to Rutgers in this scenario?! Fadil Diggs' home state doesn't really have a big time college football program last I checked (nor an NFL one, while we're looking. haha)

State of Texas has established college football programs and still plenty of top talent goes out of state for various reasons, and not all go to top programs out of state; some last year ended up at Illinois, for example. 

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7 minutes ago, PHLaggie said:

Surly you jest? Is there smoke on Diggs looking to Penn State, or is Penn State suddenly pursuing him more? I don't have any insider info.

The Inky had an article on him from the time of his verbal back in the Spring. A&M's DL coach is a graduate of Diggs' high school and they two seem to have bonded well. The current coach of his high school also ended up down south, to Tulane, for his college playing days.

https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/new-jersey/recruiting-football-south-jersey-fadil-diggs-woodrow-wilson-texas-20190805.html

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39 minutes ago, PHLaggie said:

So you're comparing Texas to Rutgers in this scenario?! Fadil Diggs' home state doesn't really have a big time college football program last I checked (nor an NFL one, while we're looking. haha)

State of Texas has established college football programs and still plenty of top talent goes out of state for various reasons, and not all go to top programs out of state; some last year ended up at Illinois, for example. 

If your argument is for clean recruiting, Illinois isn't the example you probably want to make. 

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On 11/3/2019 at 8:39 PM, Lobwedgephil said:

 I mentioned this at a speaking engagement last week and meant it. I believe there is a very good chance that the next Aggie starting quarterback will win a national championship. 

He didn't say the national championship would be in football, guys.  Do any of their quarterback targets have a passion for judging meat?

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You can’t be this obtuse. And are you referring to Marquez Beason for Christ’s sake? He didn’t go to Illinois over in state schools, he went to Illinois because like you, he can’t fucking read. 
 
Yes, top talent leaves Texas to attend out of state schools every year, but if they do, it’s to Alabama or Ohio State, and if someone does go to Illinois, that means there is major non football related reason. It’s not because they really connected with their position coach you naive puppy. 
 
In the analogy you had trouble with, I was comparing the regional power of Penn State to the regional power of Texas. I was also comparing the conference changing SEC East slump buster South Carolina to the conference changing SEC West cum dumpster A&M. They win 7-8 games a year. They hire former national championship head coaches. Before your hurt yourself thinking again, I’m not referring to Will Muschamp. There really are a lot of similarities, including the racism. 
 
 

PHLaggie, you might want to reconsider posting some indefensible BS next time because you just got destroyed with facts bro.
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Surly you jest? Is there smoke on Diggs looking to Penn State, or is Penn State suddenly pursuing him more? I don't have any insider info.
The Inky had an article on him from the time of his verbal back in the Spring. A&M's DL coach is a graduate of Diggs' high school and they two seem to have bonded well. The current coach of his high school also ended up down south, to Tulane, for his college playing days.
Diggs said a big factor in his decision was a local connection. Texas A&M’s defensive line coach is Elijah Robinson, a Wilson graduate and most recently an assistant coach at Baylor.
“Me and [Robinson] can relate to each other,” Diggs said. “He went to Wilson and came from Camden, and me and him can talk if I am not feeling comfortable."
Diggs said he did his homework during his recruiting process. He made unofficial visits to Texas A&M, Florida, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and LSU.
He said Texas A&M and the SEC are a perfect fit.
“Me playing against the top guys -- Alabama, Kentucky, LSU -- I feel like I am testing my skill level by going against those dudes every year,” Diggs said.
While Diggs said he enjoyed his recruiting experience, he’s glad it’s over.
https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/new-jersey/recruiting-football-south-jersey-fadil-diggs-woodrow-wilson-texas-20190805.html


‘ “Me playing against the top guys -- Alabama, Kentucky, LSU -- I feel like I am testing my skill level by going against those dudes every year,” Diggs said. ‘

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