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Posts posted by closetojumping
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1 hour ago, Thiefery said:
My man, where are you hearing that he was asking for more money? Sure his family is living off him, that sucks.. However they didn't ask for more, their son was told he was going to take a paycut for not living up to expectations/production as a true freshman..
Miami has allegedly tampered with him and offered him $1M. We’ll see if there’s any truth to that, but that’s how it is being framed on Sooner Illustrated.
One of the alleged “insiders” and several of the moderators are really touting Nagy as a wizard who is going to reshape their whole org into a machine.
Washing machine, maybe. The current set-up looks hilariously dysfunctional. The “GM” reports above the AD. The HC reports to the AD and the AD reports into the same role as the “GM”.
That structure means the HC is absolutely fucked. He’s lost control of personnel evaluation to a wonk who cast out of the NFL personnel world. The guy was in purgatory running an annual bowl camp in Alabama with less than 10 employees and doing his own PR. That dude now controls who Venables has on staff and the make-up of his roster. He doesn’t even have to meet regularly with Venables or consult with him.
“But ctj, that’s how many NFL orgs work!?!”
The idiotic talking heads on XM 84, including guests from ESPN, Fox, SEC/ACC/Big 10 networks, The Athletic and so on have all convinced themselves of the argument. “OU’s ahead of the curve. This is the way things will be structured at all schools in the future. Look at Stanford as well!”
Maybe. Maybe CFB HC’s are as fungible as NFL HC’s.
I’m not sure I see it that way. There’s way more variance in numerous aspects of CFB that don’t exist in the NFL. One in particular is that the budget for the roster is nowhere near parity across the sport, even in each conference. OU can pat itself on the back about being disciplined and essentially telling Stone to walk with a big pay cut. Do Texas or Georgia have to do the same thing with their freshmen 5 stars going into their sophomore season? No. They do not.
Who is better off by the time the ball kicks off in August?
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1 hour ago, LTtxfan said:
Tom Pelissero said yesterday on Eisen's show that teams are grading players between picks 10 thru 20 or even players 8 thru 40 as very similar draft value.
2025 NFL Draft may only have 8 to 10 true high quality 1st Rd picks.
QBs 2 thru 5 are graded out in completely different draft orders on many different NFL team boards per Pelissero.
(Of course Ewers is not in that group of Top 5 QBs)
Does anybody know the last time a draft was held where all of the blowhards were proclaiming that there were actually 32 or more round 1 grades in the draft? I’m guessing it’s never happened. A lot of the purpose about “there are only x round 1 grades this year” is to make scouts and evaluators seem like they’re really fucking smart doing this super hard job. It’s all bullshit.
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There’s a thread on aggie 247 about Lance Zurlein evaluating the aggie draft prospects and he concludes that Turner is the best of their prospects and that all 3 will go in the first 70 picks.
The thread tumbles into angst about those guys not really doing anything at ATM and handwringing about Elko and his program’s development skills, or lack thereof. Then this guy flies in over the top with an all time heater:
Byew said... (original post) I could be wrong but I think the personnel was different than a typical Elko D. I think it might be far more effective this year with less talent.
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2 hours ago, Derka said:
we rewriting history now? that’s what’s hot in the streets? we’re all just gonna dismiss reality and pretend like hoards of y’all didn’t literally report my posts and ask blacklab to ban me for saying that QE wasn’t as good as y’all said he was? that didn’t happen? i didn’t spend the last three years getting crushed and personally attacked for having the unpopular yet correct opinion that quinn ewers was one of our worst offensive players and nowhere near the heisman candidate/first round pick you all swore he was? that didn’t happen? oh, ok.
allow me to describe a group of people for you. tell me who comes to mind:
•low iq
•lashes out at anyone whose opinion rejects or refutes their world view
•worships a stranger in an unsettling way
•dismisses all statistical, empirical, and scientific evidence which points to the fact that their demigod lord and savior isn’t who they’ve completely invested themselves into believing he is
•when ultimately proven wrong and faced with undeniable evidence that their demigod isn’t who they swear he is, they just reject the facts, talk more shit, and insult and laugh at those who try to confront them with these facts.
hmm…..who does that remind you of???
yeah, you guys are a bunch of fucking heroes. just perpetually live in denial and talk shit to anyone who dares to point out the reality that you’re too scared to face. take a bow guys. be proud, boys.
As Derka slowly pulls up to the keyboard and prepares his sausage-fingers to hammer out their next bloviating post, monastery dirge music plays quietly from his boombox nearby as he contemplates this being his lot on this spinning rock. Then he shouts:
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?!?”
and then that keyboard gets the beating of its life.
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24 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:I thought we were best friends
Best friends are honest and with each other. Your kid sucks.
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2 hours ago, Hank_Hill said:The crucifixion hits some people hard
Only Jesus can climb up on a cross faster than Derka.
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53 minutes ago, Burt Macklin said:
immamac needs to put that dude on a limited post plan like they used to have for text messages. Once he gets past 100 posts a month, start charging him .25 per post. This place will either get a lot more bearable or Imma will be able to start another NIL fund. He can call it Burnt EDGEs/Edges/edges.
Good shit right here, @immamac
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Just now, Thiefery said:
guy i talk to said that Shipley will visit Austin but not with his wife who was up there for his ou trip (aggy grad). She's on board with ou, FWIW
It sounds like this Shipley guy makes a lot of stupid relationship decisions. If you’re letting a sooner “mentor” you, something went off the rails a while back. Then you marry an aggie while still in college?
Time to start looking forward to Texas Football 2025 - Stone Cold.
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45 minutes ago, statsman said:
Fair enough. Mukuba was great for Texas and Texas was great for Mukuba. I’ll accept what you say about Texas and Downs, because I don’t know any more than what I hear on podcasts.
If anyone is worth $1M, Downs is probably it, right?I think you kind of have to view NIL circumstances as photographs in time, rather than a motion picture. A lot of guys are getting $1M+ for 2025. It’s only been a minute since Downs got that. QBs have been getting more than $1M+ from the jump. Kickers, just so we’re clear, are still nowhere close to anything like that, no matter how hard folks in social media or on other threads here want to honk about it.
For clarity, there are multiple non-QBs getting $1M+ on the Texas 2025 roster. Few would argue that those guys aren’t worth it.
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54 minutes ago, tokamak said:
Noooo oneee drinks like Gaston. Stops and thinks like Gaston. Blows off his own head with hijinks like Gaston.
RIP
Darkly funny. Well done.
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3 minutes ago, statsman said:
Alright! We get to discuss a counterfactual!
As I recall, Down decided on the Buckeyes over the Horns and Dogs fairly late, so Texas had a number it was ready to pay. Therefore, I only need to come up with enough more to overcome the Buckeyes’ package (and it may not have all been money that won him over). I stated that would have been worth it- Texas would get notably better (for two years), and the Buckeyes get notably worse. How much would it have taken? Would dropping Niblack have done it?
Texas was never in on Downs. Georgia tampered with him and they were backslapping themselves. Ohio State came in over the top with $1M/year and Georgia and Bama were cooked.
Texas got Mukuba for a fraction of that and the upgrade to Downs would have been marginal and would have cost Texas Mukuba and Filsaime, if not also D Williams. Probably another position due to salary reqs as well.
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7 minutes ago, 6th Street said:This bum got $1M of NIL to shank FGs and nearly derailed the entire season. And now he can't even beat out Will Stone for the K job. Good riddance
He did not get close to $1M. Not even vaguely close. Don’t just make shit up on here, especially with something that makes us sound really stupid. Miss us on that shit.
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14 hours ago, RomaVicta said:Olin shares the crisp articulation of Ivy League Elko.
Elko dapper as ever. I think the dark baby boy look really sets off his figure.
Olin gets us rolling with a paraphrase of Elko.
Mike is "peeved." He's demanding perfection. He is the model of perfection himself!
How peeved is he? He's pissed. He's a bad man. He's incoherent!
He's just trying to drive it. He really is. Really. Driving it. Yea, boy. Cookin' with gas!
And the guys are still lifting weights, going to practice on time, putting the used towels in the right bin, throwing the pig back and forth.
Like a lethal Dorito: crisp and sharp.
Now lay some Ivy League education on us. He wasn't just a football player, ya know.
Concerning the portal, Elko channels Yogi Berra. On adding:
Now who can disagree with that?
I read this, after watching this tub of goo trade actual talent into the portal with a bunch of JAGs out of the portal and I’m momentarily perplexed. Does The Elk really believe that he’s got a great roster? Or does he just realize that that’s the only thing he can say to aggie reporters and fans that will keep them quiet for the most part?
This a bad team he’s about to field. Dumbasses who don’t follow them will drive by and say “yeah, yeah, yall say that and then they always go 8-4”. No, sometimes they go 5-7. The ceiling for this team in 2025, barring something wild in the portal in the next few days, is 7-6. The schedule is unforgiving, they lost key talent, and the roster is hilariously overrated. I fully expect the lazy AP voters to have them in the top 20 and I am excited about it.
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3 hours ago, Hank_Hill said:
While obviously horrific/hilarious, I thought CTJ meant he did this shit in character at Disney world traumatizing countless children. Am disappoint.
Outstanding. That shit would have been a story globally.
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14 hours ago, BurgleBro said:He fucking sucked and im glad I'll never see him in the uniform kicking ever again
This is where I am at on Auburn. He made more money last year than 99.9% of the 20-21 year olds in this world and he fucking choked repeatedly and cost us a SEC title and altered the way they had to gameplan for the playoffs. Go look like an idiot and miss field goals somewhere else, Sideshow Bert.
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15 minutes ago, HenryJames said:
I hope they go four straight for the earhole on her today. What bullshit.
LSU is a piece of shit institution in every possible way. The education is below Texas high school levels, the institution effectively revels in cheating, and the people coming out of that place are fucking trash.
The worst employees, as a group, that I’ve ever had work for orgs that I’ve been a part of have been LSU grads, by far. We eventually just filtered those resumes and candidates out they were so bad.
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The guy who played Gaston at Disney World got shithoused on July 4th a few years back and attempted to launch a large firework off the top of his head, decapitating himself. Gaston Gramatica just made the equivalent to that move in recruiting.
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39 minutes ago, tokamak said:
How do Endries and the guy that was at Wisconsin for 5 minutes compare?
23 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:Endries is more complete, other guy is more a slow WR type.
Also, Endries isn't considered a head case who's afraid of contact.
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Here's an OU update on transfers from an "insider" at Sooners Illustrated. Spoilered below and highlights next:
-They've already given up on landing Endries and are moving on towards other TEs. They're going after yet another FCS TE after having already signed on, plus another from legendary football program Kennesaw State.
-They're targeting an FCS WR and calling it scouting. They were very proud of themselves for landing the Gibson guy out of UA Pine Bluff and crowing about being another sooner WR wizard. They do this every spring. That dude broke his femur or something and may not be back for the fall. Onward and upward, some poor bastard from Illinois State looks like he might be the next big thing.
-They're so fucked at Kicker that they throwing a 6 figure offer at the guy from Texas State, apparently. I guess Sideshow Bert is a bargain for our mere $25k+ and we should be thankful to be keeping him or something.
SpoilerWe're officially in it.
The spring window is in full force. The transfer portal is stockpiling new names almost by the minute and now, players available are beginning to take visits across the country.
Daily updates are rolling here at Sooners Illustrated. The latest? That here:
- A position of priority for Oklahoma in the spring portal is and has been kicker. The Sooners are in desperate need of another specialist given the current outlook of the room.
We reported before the portal opened that Texas State kicker Mason Shipley was a name quickly being connected to OU behind the scenes. Now, a couple days since, Shipley is currently on campus visiting Oklahoma.
If everything goes well and makes sense for all parties involved, there's a very real world where this moves quickly. The Sooners want to get one of the best kickers available in this spring window and Shipley fits the description.
- Xavier Loyd is a wide receiver that's been mentioned here quite often. He tells Sooners Illustrated he's aiming to visit Oklahoma next week, a date isn't finalized but the trip is on the table. The Illinois State pass catcher is quickly building a competitive portal recruitment.
- Prior to the window beginning, we talked about Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama being the three big brands expected to be in the tight end market. We then reported yesterday before Cal tight end Jack Endries officially entered the portal that Texas, Indiana and Oklahoma were the programs being mentioned the most. A few hours later, Endries completed his paperwork and booked a visit with the Longhorns. Texas is expected to put together an aggressive package for Endries and the Longhorns already have a prediction in their favor. If the Sooners are perceivably behind both Texas and Indiana in the Endries sweepstakes, it's likely OU turns elsewhere. The only redirect would be if the Sooners can get Endries to trip to Norman before making a decision.
- On the tight end front, a popular social media name is none other than Tanner Koziol. The big pass catcher formerly of Ball State chose Wisconsin during the winter window but is back in the portal and available in the spring.
Hinted at this yesterday, but as time plays out, I'm not overly sure how aggressive OU will be. Koziol's quick exit from Wisconsin is, at the very least, something programs have to consider and there's long been belief the asking price can be a bit high.
There are a lot of layers here that could lead to OU being patient with pursuit.
- A couple of tight end names to monitor: Missouri State's Lance Mason and Iowa's Gavin Hoffman.
I'll have more on each name soon, but Oklahoma is going to be involved with both moving forward. Mason was one of the most productive FCS tight ends in the country while Hoffman is a younger player but a former four-star recruit with lots of upside.
SpoilerWe're officially in it.
The spring window is in full force. The transfer portal is stockpiling new names almost by the minute and now, players available are beginning to take visits across the country.
Daily updates are rolling here at Sooners Illustrated. The latest? That here:
- A position of priority for Oklahoma in the spring portal is and has been kicker. The Sooners are in desperate need of another specialist given the current outlook of the room.
We reported before the portal opened that Texas State kicker Mason Shipley was a name quickly being connected to OU behind the scenes. Now, a couple days since, Shipley is currently on campus visiting Oklahoma.
If everything goes well and makes sense for all parties involved, there's a very real world where this moves quickly. The Sooners want to get one of the best kickers available in this spring window and Shipley fits the description.
- Xavier Loyd is a wide receiver that's been mentioned here quite often. He tells Sooners Illustrated he's aiming to visit Oklahoma next week, a date isn't finalized but the trip is on the table. The Illinois State pass catcher is quickly building a competitive portal recruitment.
- Prior to the window beginning, we talked about Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama being the three big brands expected to be in the tight end market. We then reported yesterday before Cal tight end Jack Endries officially entered the portal that Texas, Indiana and Oklahoma were the programs being mentioned the most. A few hours later, Endries completed his paperwork and booked a visit with the Longhorns. Texas is expected to put together an aggressive package for Endries and the Longhorns already have a prediction in their favor. If the Sooners are perceivably behind both Texas and Indiana in the Endries sweepstakes, it's likely OU turns elsewhere. The only redirect would be if the Sooners can get Endries to trip to Norman before making a decision.
- On the tight end front, a popular social media name is none other than Tanner Koziol. The big pass catcher formerly of Ball State chose Wisconsin during the winter window but is back in the portal and available in the spring.
Hinted at this yesterday, but as time plays out, I'm not overly sure how aggressive OU will be. Koziol's quick exit from Wisconsin is, at the very least, something programs have to consider and there's long been belief the asking price can be a bit high.
There are a lot of layers here that could lead to OU being patient with pursuit.
- A couple of tight end names to monitor: Missouri State's Lance Mason and Iowa's Gavin Hoffman.
I'll have more on each name soon, but Oklahoma is going to be involved with both moving forward. Mason was one of the most productive FCS tight ends in the country while Hoffman is a younger player but a former four-star recruit with lots of upside.
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Here's Carter Karels talking about the spring portal and examining aggie roster needs. I've spoilered it, but here are the highlights:
-Karels acknowledges that ATM is likely to suffer losses within this portal cycle. They have 88 guys on scholarship right now and they're planning on signing more guys from the portal. So, they need to run off 5+ guys. They're also hinting at some likely losses that they'd prefer not to experience.
-I wonder if it's true that often times, before someone does the unthinkable to themselves, that there are these brief bursts of optimism? I sense that in this write-up from Carter. He ultimately claims that there are 7 position groups that are not in need of taking guys from the portal: QB, IOL, OT, DE, RB, P, K.
Now read who they have returning at these spots. We would be pleading for Sarkisian and staff to go out and find help at almost all of these slots, given who they return. Marcel Reed is not a good QB. If you're all good with Chase Bisontis, you're fucked from the jump. Crownover and Fatheree means you're all set at OT? Okay, then. Moss, Owens and Daniels means you're all set at RB and don't need to sweat injuries. DE returns a random who picked up 4 sacks in garbage time and a bunch of young guys who haven't really played.
-They have dogshit at TE, but they added a lot more of it to the pile. They still really need that elusive badass that no one else can find, and then they need to convince him that Klein's offense will actually use him. Good luck.
-They're tiny at WR. What they casually need is a tall, fast WR that can play outside, catch most of the 50-50 balls, block well, and not need too many targets due to the Klein offense.
-They need a true mauler at DT. Luckily, that's not a coveted thing in the portal.
-While they think York and Scooby Williams are the stuff of legend, they also want another experienced LB to show up and sit the bench behind them.
SpoilerEarlier this offseason, the Texas A&M football team filled most of its roster holes through the transfer portal. A&M picked up 14 scholarship players during the 20-day winter portal window, though one of them, former Texas Tech wide receiver Micah Hudson, lasted less than a month on campus and left the team.
The Aggies lack as many glaring position needs going into the 10-day spring transfer portal window, which opens Wednesday. They also are more crunched on scholarship space now. Still, there should be plenty of value in the portal to keep A&M active.
During the spring portal window last year, the Aggies mostly bolstered their depth. A&M landed four players who began last season as backups: center Kolinu'u Faaiu (Utah), receiver Jacob Bostick (Iowa), tight end Shane Calhoun (East Carolina) and linebacker Solomon DeShields (Pittsburgh). Faaiu served as a backup until starter Mark Nabou Jr. suffered a season-ending injury in the opener vs. Notre Dame. The other three were in reserve roles all season.
00:1402:08Read MoreWhether the Aggies will add more difference makers this time – or lose significant players to the portal – remains to be seen. However, each portal period tends to be full of surprises. The latest proof is Nico Iamaleava, the former Tennessee quarterback who is headed to the portal after being involved in an NIL dispute.
Before the fun officially begins, here are the position groups A&M should prioritize.
Note: The Aggies have a projected unofficial scholarship count of 88 for the 2025 season, which is three more than the SEC-mandated limit. However, there should be roster attrition through the spring portal window and potential medical retirements. A&M also does not need to meet the scholarship limit until the first day of its fall semester, which is Aug. 25.
1. Heavier, space-eating DT
(Photo: Jack Gorman, Getty)
Defensive tackle position inventory: DJ Hicks, Tyler Onyedim, Albert Regis, Jadon Scarlett, Dealyn Evans, Chace Sims, DJ Sanders, Landon Rink.
Analysis: Departures from last season left A&M thin on proven defensive tackles. One of the two starters for the Aggies last season, Shemar Turner, and top backup Rodas Getachew-Johnson ran out of eligibility. Their depth took a hit as well. Reserves Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (South Carolina) and Samu Taumanupepe (Baylor) both departed through the portal.
Onyedim, the lone defensive tackle transfer A&M plucked from the winter portal window, brings significant experience and proven production. But the Aggies probably need at least one more seasoned transfer at the position. Beyond Onyedim, Regis and Hicks are their only defensive tackles with high-leverage experience.
It would be ideal, too, if A&M added a defensive tackle with the size and strength to clog up space and take on double teams. Regis and Sanders are the only defensive tackles for the Aggies listed at heavier than 310 pounds, and they are both at 315. Onyedim is a bit of a tweener as well, coming in at 6-4, 295.
2. Taller, physical WR with proven production
KC Concepcion (Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
Receiver position inventory: Izaiah Williams, Mario Craver, Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, KC Concepcion, Kelshaun Johnson, TK Norman, Ernest Campbell, Jonah Wilson, Jerome Myles.
Analysis: In the winter portal window, the Aggies hammered the receiver position. A&M landed three beyond the departed Hudson: Concepcion, Craver and Wilson. Still, the group for the Aggies remains far from perfect and is one spot thinner than expected after Hudson left.
A&M certainly could use another proven receiver. Following last season, the Aggies lost the vast majority of their receiver production: 85.1% of receptions, 85.3% of receiving yards and 81.3% of receiving touchdowns. Now, Concepcion is their only one to record at least 400 receiving yards in a season.
From a skillset standpoint, A&M could benefit from landing a taller, physical receiver who can block, come down with 50-50 balls and threaten in the red zone. The Aggies are mostly full of receivers who are known more for their speed and quickness than size and physicality. Only two of them are listed taller than 6-foot-1: Wilson (6-3, 215) and Myles (6-3, 220).
It also remains a question whether Wilson and Myles could be key contributors immediately. In two seasons at the University of Houston combined, Wilson recorded only 11 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Myles received a five-star rating as a recruit but will not join A&M until June and suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his knee last August.
3. Best DB available
(Photo: Maria Lysaker, USA TODAY Sports)
Cornerback/nickel position inventory: Dezz Ricks, Will Lee III, Julian Humphrey, Tyreek Chappell, Jordan Shaw, Deyjhon Pettaway, Jayvon Thomas, Jamar Beal-Goines, Bravion Rogers, Adonyss Currie, Cobey Sellers, Jordan Pride.
Safety position inventory: Bryce Anderson, Marcus Ratcliffe, Rashad "Tom Tom" Johnson Jr., Dalton Brooks, Myles Davis, Jarred Kerr.
Analysis: Compared to receiver and defensive tackle, no other position group for the Aggies is nearly as much of a need. But if a solid defensive back transfer becomes available, A&M should pursue him.
The Aggies could be better at safety. Their top three players at the position last season – Anderson, Ratcliffe and Brooks – collectively underwhelmed and were liabilities as tacklers. They combined for 39 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
The cornerback unit might be worth addressing, too. Coming off a second-team All-SEC campaign, Lee should be one of the better A&M players again this fall. The cornerback who will secure the other starting spot, though, remains unclear.
Rick, Humphrey and Thomas all figure to be in the mix and bring starting experience. However, none of them have done enough to be viewed as a cemented first-team option. Should a better cornerback be on the market, the Aggies need to consider him.
4. LB depth, but not a pressing need
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Linebacker position inventory: Scooby Williams, Taurean York, Noah Mikhail, Daymion Sanford, Kelvion Riggins, Tristan Jernigan, Jordan Lockhart.
Analysis: The top three linebackers for the Aggies – York, Williams and Sanford – make for a solid trio. York and Williams held their own as a starting duo last season. Sanford established himself as a respectable backup to Williams at will linebacker. So A&M is not in desperate need of another starter-caliber linebacker.
However, the Aggies could benefit from adding another veteran player to the group, especially at middle linebacker. None of their other linebackers hold high-leverage experience. Lockhart, the projected backup to York, could develop into a quality player but remains unproven. His career defensive snap total comes to only 64.
5. Best TE available, but not a pressing need
(Photo: Alex Slitz, Getty)
Tight end position inventory: Theo Melin Öhrström, Kiotti Armstrong, Eric Karner, Amari Niblack, Nate Boerkircher, Micah Riley.
Analysis: At the beginning of this offseason, tight end ranked among the biggest position needs for the Aggies. The unit left a lot to be desired with their blocking and overall production last season. Only Melin Öhrström returned to A&M, too. So the Aggies were aggressive at tight end, adding Niblack, Boerkircher and Riley through the portal while signing Armstrong and Karner (grayshirt) out of high school.
Still, if an impressive tight end transfer becomes available, A&M would be wise to recruit him. The Aggies still lack high-level production at the position. None of their current options have at least 400 career receiving yards.
6. Definitely not a need: QB, IOL, OT, RB, DE, K, P
(Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)
Quarterback position inventory: Jacob Zeno, Marcel Reed, Brady Hart, Eli Morcos, Miles O'Neill.
Offensive line position inventory: Isendre Ahfua, Blake Ivy, Mark Nabou Jr., Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Nelson McGuire, Trey Zuhn III, Kolinu'u Faaiu, Marcus Garcia, Robert Bourdon, Chase Bisontis, Joshua Moses, Ashton Funk, Jonte Newman, Reuben Fatheree II, Tyler Thomas, Dametrious Crownover, Lamont Rogers.
Running back position inventory: Rueben Owens II, Amari Daniels, Le'Veon Moss, EJ Smith, Jamarion Morrow, Deondrae "Tiger" Riden Jr.
Defensive end position inventory: Cashius Howell, Marco Jones, Rylan Kennedy, T.J. Searcy, Solomon Williams, Kendall Jackson, Dayon Hayes, Sam M'Pemba.
Kicker inventory: Randy Bond, Jared Zirkel.
Punter inventory: Tyler White.
Analysis: The Aggies should always look to add "best available" players at all positions. But seven of their units – quarterback, interior offensive line, offensive tackle, running back, defensive end, kicker and punter – should not be viewed as glaring needs.
At quarterback, Reed remains widely thought to be the cemented starter. A&M plucked Zeno from the portal over the winter, giving Reed a respected, veteran backup. With three other scholarship players at the position, the Aggies have one of their largest quarterback rooms in recent memory.
On the offensive line, A&M returned all seven of its key contributors from last season: Zuhn at left tackle, Bisontis at left guard, Nabou and Faaiu at center, Reed-Adams at right guard, and Crownover and Fatheree at right tackle. They bring significant experience, combining to appear in 226 games with 156 starts in their careers.
The Aggie running back group has a nice blend of star power, quality depth and younger players with high upside. Coming off a second-team All-SEC season, Moss should lead the group again this fall. Daniels and Owens are strong backups, Smith is capable in a reserve role, and Morrow and Riden seem to bring plenty of potential as freshmen.
Among these seven position groups, the defensive end unit probably has the most questions. The group lost both starters, Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, to the NFL Draft and a pair of reserves, Enai White and Malick Sylla, to the portal. However, A&M bolstered the unit with three transfer additions over the winter: Searcy, Hayes and M'Pemba. Howell seems poised for a solid season as well. He totaled four sacks as a backup last fall.
The special teams units for the Aggies look to be in good shape. Bond did not have the best 2023 campaign but inspired confidence last season, making him more trustworthy as the top kicker option. As a redshirt freshman last fall, White enjoyed a breakout season.
SpoilerEarlier this offseason, the Texas A&M football team filled most of its roster holes through the transfer portal. A&M picked up 14 scholarship players during the 20-day winter portal window, though one of them, former Texas Tech wide receiver Micah Hudson, lasted less than a month on campus and left the team.
The Aggies lack as many glaring position needs going into the 10-day spring transfer portal window, which opens Wednesday. They also are more crunched on scholarship space now. Still, there should be plenty of value in the portal to keep A&M active.
During the spring portal window last year, the Aggies mostly bolstered their depth. A&M landed four players who began last season as backups: center Kolinu'u Faaiu (Utah), receiver Jacob Bostick (Iowa), tight end Shane Calhoun (East Carolina) and linebacker Solomon DeShields (Pittsburgh). Faaiu served as a backup until starter Mark Nabou Jr. suffered a season-ending injury in the opener vs. Notre Dame. The other three were in reserve roles all season.
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Whether the Aggies will add more difference makers this time – or lose significant players to the portal – remains to be seen. However, each portal period tends to be full of surprises. The latest proof is Nico Iamaleava, the former Tennessee quarterback who is headed to the portal after being involved in an NIL dispute.
Before the fun officially begins, here are the position groups A&M should prioritize.
Note: The Aggies have a projected unofficial scholarship count of 88 for the 2025 season, which is three more than the SEC-mandated limit. However, there should be roster attrition through the spring portal window and potential medical retirements. A&M also does not need to meet the scholarship limit until the first day of its fall semester, which is Aug. 25.
1. Heavier, space-eating DT
(Photo: Jack Gorman, Getty)
Defensive tackle position inventory: DJ Hicks, Tyler Onyedim, Albert Regis, Jadon Scarlett, Dealyn Evans, Chace Sims, DJ Sanders, Landon Rink.
Analysis: Departures from last season left A&M thin on proven defensive tackles. One of the two starters for the Aggies last season, Shemar Turner, and top backup Rodas Getachew-Johnson ran out of eligibility. Their depth took a hit as well. Reserves Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (South Carolina) and Samu Taumanupepe (Baylor) both departed through the portal.
Onyedim, the lone defensive tackle transfer A&M plucked from the winter portal window, brings significant experience and proven production. But the Aggies probably need at least one more seasoned transfer at the position. Beyond Onyedim, Regis and Hicks are their only defensive tackles with high-leverage experience.
It would be ideal, too, if A&M added a defensive tackle with the size and strength to clog up space and take on double teams. Regis and Sanders are the only defensive tackles for the Aggies listed at heavier than 310 pounds, and they are both at 315. Onyedim is a bit of a tweener as well, coming in at 6-4, 295.
2. Taller, physical WR with proven production
KC Concepcion (Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
Receiver position inventory: Izaiah Williams, Mario Craver, Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, KC Concepcion, Kelshaun Johnson, TK Norman, Ernest Campbell, Jonah Wilson, Jerome Myles.
Analysis: In the winter portal window, the Aggies hammered the receiver position. A&M landed three beyond the departed Hudson: Concepcion, Craver and Wilson. Still, the group for the Aggies remains far from perfect and is one spot thinner than expected after Hudson left.
A&M certainly could use another proven receiver. Following last season, the Aggies lost the vast majority of their receiver production: 85.1% of receptions, 85.3% of receiving yards and 81.3% of receiving touchdowns. Now, Concepcion is their only one to record at least 400 receiving yards in a season.
From a skillset standpoint, A&M could benefit from landing a taller, physical receiver who can block, come down with 50-50 balls and threaten in the red zone. The Aggies are mostly full of receivers who are known more for their speed and quickness than size and physicality. Only two of them are listed taller than 6-foot-1: Wilson (6-3, 215) and Myles (6-3, 220).
It also remains a question whether Wilson and Myles could be key contributors immediately. In two seasons at the University of Houston combined, Wilson recorded only 11 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Myles received a five-star rating as a recruit but will not join A&M until June and suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his knee last August.
3. Best DB available
(Photo: Maria Lysaker, USA TODAY Sports)
Cornerback/nickel position inventory: Dezz Ricks, Will Lee III, Julian Humphrey, Tyreek Chappell, Jordan Shaw, Deyjhon Pettaway, Jayvon Thomas, Jamar Beal-Goines, Bravion Rogers, Adonyss Currie, Cobey Sellers, Jordan Pride.
Safety position inventory: Bryce Anderson, Marcus Ratcliffe, Rashad "Tom Tom" Johnson Jr., Dalton Brooks, Myles Davis, Jarred Kerr.
Analysis: Compared to receiver and defensive tackle, no other position group for the Aggies is nearly as much of a need. But if a solid defensive back transfer becomes available, A&M should pursue him.
The Aggies could be better at safety. Their top three players at the position last season – Anderson, Ratcliffe and Brooks – collectively underwhelmed and were liabilities as tacklers. They combined for 39 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
The cornerback unit might be worth addressing, too. Coming off a second-team All-SEC campaign, Lee should be one of the better A&M players again this fall. The cornerback who will secure the other starting spot, though, remains unclear.
Rick, Humphrey and Thomas all figure to be in the mix and bring starting experience. However, none of them have done enough to be viewed as a cemented first-team option. Should a better cornerback be on the market, the Aggies need to consider him.
4. LB depth, but not a pressing need
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Linebacker position inventory: Scooby Williams, Taurean York, Noah Mikhail, Daymion Sanford, Kelvion Riggins, Tristan Jernigan, Jordan Lockhart.
Analysis: The top three linebackers for the Aggies – York, Williams and Sanford – make for a solid trio. York and Williams held their own as a starting duo last season. Sanford established himself as a respectable backup to Williams at will linebacker. So A&M is not in desperate need of another starter-caliber linebacker.
However, the Aggies could benefit from adding another veteran player to the group, especially at middle linebacker. None of their other linebackers hold high-leverage experience. Lockhart, the projected backup to York, could develop into a quality player but remains unproven. His career defensive snap total comes to only 64.
5. Best TE available, but not a pressing need
(Photo: Alex Slitz, Getty)
Tight end position inventory: Theo Melin Öhrström, Kiotti Armstrong, Eric Karner, Amari Niblack, Nate Boerkircher, Micah Riley.
Analysis: At the beginning of this offseason, tight end ranked among the biggest position needs for the Aggies. The unit left a lot to be desired with their blocking and overall production last season. Only Melin Öhrström returned to A&M, too. So the Aggies were aggressive at tight end, adding Niblack, Boerkircher and Riley through the portal while signing Armstrong and Karner (grayshirt) out of high school.
Still, if an impressive tight end transfer becomes available, A&M would be wise to recruit him. The Aggies still lack high-level production at the position. None of their current options have at least 400 career receiving yards.
6. Definitely not a need: QB, IOL, OT, RB, DE, K, P
(Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)
Quarterback position inventory: Jacob Zeno, Marcel Reed, Brady Hart, Eli Morcos, Miles O'Neill.
Offensive line position inventory: Isendre Ahfua, Blake Ivy, Mark Nabou Jr., Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Nelson McGuire, Trey Zuhn III, Kolinu'u Faaiu, Marcus Garcia, Robert Bourdon, Chase Bisontis, Joshua Moses, Ashton Funk, Jonte Newman, Reuben Fatheree II, Tyler Thomas, Dametrious Crownover, Lamont Rogers.
Running back position inventory: Rueben Owens II, Amari Daniels, Le'Veon Moss, EJ Smith, Jamarion Morrow, Deondrae "Tiger" Riden Jr.
Defensive end position inventory: Cashius Howell, Marco Jones, Rylan Kennedy, T.J. Searcy, Solomon Williams, Kendall Jackson, Dayon Hayes, Sam M'Pemba.
Kicker inventory: Randy Bond, Jared Zirkel.
Punter inventory: Tyler White.
Analysis: The Aggies should always look to add "best available" players at all positions. But seven of their units – quarterback, interior offensive line, offensive tackle, running back, defensive end, kicker and punter – should not be viewed as glaring needs.
At quarterback, Reed remains widely thought to be the cemented starter. A&M plucked Zeno from the portal over the winter, giving Reed a respected, veteran backup. With three other scholarship players at the position, the Aggies have one of their largest quarterback rooms in recent memory.
On the offensive line, A&M returned all seven of its key contributors from last season: Zuhn at left tackle, Bisontis at left guard, Nabou and Faaiu at center, Reed-Adams at right guard, and Crownover and Fatheree at right tackle. They bring significant experience, combining to appear in 226 games with 156 starts in their careers.
The Aggie running back group has a nice blend of star power, quality depth and younger players with high upside. Coming off a second-team All-SEC season, Moss should lead the group again this fall. Daniels and Owens are strong backups, Smith is capable in a reserve role, and Morrow and Riden seem to bring plenty of potential as freshmen.
Among these seven position groups, the defensive end unit probably has the most questions. The group lost both starters, Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, to the NFL Draft and a pair of reserves, Enai White and Malick Sylla, to the portal. However, A&M bolstered the unit with three transfer additions over the winter: Searcy, Hayes and M'Pemba. Howell seems poised for a solid season as well. He totaled four sacks as a backup last fall.
The special teams units for the Aggies look to be in good shape. Bond did not have the best 2023 campaign but inspired confidence last season, making him more trustworthy as the top kicker option. As a redshirt freshman last fall, White enjoyed a breakout season.
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Here's Tarp putting lipstick on the pig that is the WR room at ATM heading into 2025. Lots of "work in progress" and "blue collar" types out there for old army. Terry Bussey seems to be headed quickly towards Bust City, USA, population: many other ATM and OU 5 stars as well.
Spoiler1. There has been much written about Texas A&M's attempts to remake its receiver rooms (both wideouts and tight ends) over the course of the off season. I've discussed the tight ends here and now I'm going to move onto the wideouts. I'm hitting the high points here and will go in depth on them more after spring ball.
2. I think the least discussed aspect of the addition of transfers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion is that they can be positionless players to an extent…in other words, you can line them up all over the field. They can both play the slot or the Z. While they might not theoretically have the size to play the X, they can still do some of the things that you want out of a boundary receiver.
3. Craver is probably faster and better pure athlete than Concepcion. That's not a knock on Concepcion as much as it is a recognition of what kind of athlete that Craver is. He is elusive (and underrated aspect of his game) in addition to having top end speed and so you can throw him screens and hitches no matter where he goes. He starts fast and gets off of the line really well. There is a lot of bend to his game that should come in handy versus physical coverage.
4. Concepcion is technically more advanced because he is a blue collar guy and businesslike about his development. He is going to use his hands a little better to free himself up when an opponent wants to hand fight him whereas Craver is just going to try to beat them laterally and not let someone muscle him. Concepcion can sink his hips and then will flatten his routes out better out of his breaks than others as well. He will fight for contested catches too. He is a very quarterback friendly guy.
5. Second year player Ashton Bethel-Roman has the type of feet and hips that should enable him to stay under control throughout his route. He is going to have to learn to set up defenders more for a change of direction within his routes and change his route depending on how a defender is playing him. He looks the ball in very well and his cuts can be very quick.
6. Second year player Izaiah Williams is quick off the line and makes cuts without losing much of his initial burst. He is going to be able to drive defenders off of him which will help him create separation on a variety of routes. He can really sink his hips when he stems the route which helps him get open and work back to the quarterback.
7. Second year man Terry Bussey remains a work in progress. You can tell he is a good athlete who plays a little high coming off of the line and on his breaks. He kind of negates his speed to an extent doing these things.
8. Among the freshmen, TK Norman is a really good athlete who is a work in progress in terms of the nuances of the position…for example, coming off of the line with his feet underneath his pads so he can gather himself faster in his route.
9. Kelshaun Johnson can sink his hips when he comes off the ball which should help him versus physical coverage, and he doesn't pop back up too fast when he comes out of his cuts.
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16 hours ago, Ignatius said:
Man this is where I am; I feel like AntHill could be a 12 sack guy next year. However, if the D is better off for having him roam and clean up the field in general, I’m 100% on board….
Is this going to become a board fact now that a few people have misread what Hill was actually saying?
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One unlikely person helped Texas figure some things out really quickly at the dawn of all of this stuff. That person? Abraham Lincoln. … No, actually, Lincoln Riley.
Why Lincoln Riley? He tampered directly with Xavier Worthy and offered him $1M that he did not have at that moment in time. The offer came with less than a day of portal window left.
The Texas end had to figure out really quickly what it could do, wanted to do, needed to do, and how this stuff needed to be proactively sorted in the future.
That doesn’t mean anything is perfect, but a lot of turbulence has already been put behind Texas compared to many other programs.
BTW, in that same cycle, Jordan Addison took the same offer. He’s still waiting to get paid most of that money.