Scouting Report | Texas A&M
Texas A&M has invested heavily in order to compete at the highest level of college football. That significant investestment, which led to them stealing Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State and then re-signing him to a massive deal, has not produced satisfactory results.
Fisher never won more than nine games in a season and he finished his run in College Station by going .500 in his final 22 games.
Those games were after Mike Elko had already left for Duke. It’s not a coincidence that they became a .500 program after he was gone and they were 20 games above .500 during the time he was Fisher’s defensive coordinator.
Elko followed that up with immediate success at Duke. They went to two straight bowl games after only winning 10 games total in the previous three seasons. That success and the impression he made while on Fisher’s staff is what led him to his current job back at A&M.
He inherited plenty of talent. It’s a top-10 roster in college football based on who stuck around and who he and general manager Derek Miller were able to add as transfers. There’s a lot of new faces and enough familiar ones to make them good in year one.
They are 16th in F+ preseason projections (combined FEI and SP+ rankings) and should present Notre Dame with a tough challenge to open the season. The only question is whether or not Elko will have them ready to hit the ground running immediately or if it might take some time to become a contender in the SEC.
Offense
Elko brought in Collin Klein to coordinate the offense. He was a candidate for the open OC job at Notre Dame back in 2023 and had two successful seasons calling plays at Kansas State. They finished 9th and 20th in OF+ in those two years. They were 14th in EPA (expected points added) per rush last season.
With Klein, he relied heavily on his top guys at Kansas State and built the offense around them. A&M will have a lot more depth for him to tinker with, but he might just stick to the formula that worked best because it’s what he knows.
There’s a lot of his offense that is influenced by his former head coach, Bill Snyder. That means multiple formations, mixing personnel, and a whole lot of window dressing to figure out how a defense is going to defend particular formations.
They added three tight ends in the transfer portal to give them more flexibility in that respect. They’re projected 21st in OF+ heading into the season.
Expected Strengths
They have plenty of speed at the skill positions. There’s a lack of proven playmakers, but the possibility of some emerging has everything to do with the number of individuals who can flat out fly.
That combined with a very talented starting quarterback can make them an explosive offense.
Potential Weaknesses
This list is longer.
It really starts up front where they are bringing back all of these snaps from last season, but the majority of those players didn’t play well. They were 94th in PFF’s pass blocking grades and 121st in pass blocking efficiency. A&M’s QBs were pressured on over 40% of dropbacks.
They didn’t do a great job in the running game either. They finished 110th in percentage of designed run plays with a blown blocking assignment and were 80th in EPA per rush.
Offensive line coach Adam Cushing, who worked previously at Duke with Elko, has to integrate a couple of new starters and get this group to play well together right away. That would be an easier task if he wasn’t going up against a defense that loves to bring pressure in week one.
They’ve had 10 different starting combinations in the last 25 games. 111 career starts sounds great on paper, but some of those starts came from injuries or because players were benched for poor play. They added two transfers with starting experience and both could start. They aren’t sure-things as upgrades, though.
Though they have all that speed at receiver, they don’t have much proven production. It doesn’t help that one of the projected top receivers, Troy transfer Jabre Barber, injured his foot in the spring and is expected to miss most of the first part of the season.
A&M also has questionable depth at running back after former 5-star recruit RB Reuben Owens was injured in camp. He’s expected to miss the entire season and that leaves them without the guy who was supposed to be their home run hitter out of the backfield. It also leaves them with only three scholarship running backs available for this game, which is why they might be forced to tinker with some other options there.
Personnel notes
#15 QB Conner Weigman
- 6-3 220
- Foot injury knocked him out of last season. Only 4 starts
- 8 career starts, 18 TDs and only 2 picks
- Was not fully healthy in the spring, but is now
- getting first round buzz as a prospect
- vs Miami and Auburn only 6.1 YPA, 58% completions
- 51.1% positive EPA vs blitz
- 88.8 3rd best QBR among QBs last season with the small sample size 125+ dropbacks
- big arm, maintains good velocity on off-platform throws
- changes arm angles and slides in the pocket well
- was elite making throws to intermediate areas
- was an elite baseball prospect in HS
- pressured on 37.8% of his dropbacks in his career
- small sample size, but highest success rate vs pressure out of SEC QBs
- relied heavily on 50/50 balls (24.7% of attempts). ND DBs won majority of those in ‘23
- Miami blitzed him frequently (56.1%) and PFF grade was 28 points lower than when blitzed
- good athlete who can run, but doesn’t scramble often
#13 QB Jaylen Henderson
- 6-3 220
- Started out at Fresno State
- started final 4 games of ‘23
- threw for 294 vs bad LSU defense
- struggled throwing the deep ball
#10 QB Marcel Reed
- 6-2 180
- threw for 361 in the bowl game after replacing injured Henderson
- looks to scramble when blitzed
#5 RB Amari Daniels
- 5-9 215
- 105 carries in ‘23
- dealt with a shoulder injury in the spring
- broke a 79-yarder vs Auburn, 11.09 100m in HS
- a liability in pass protection
- 33-inch vert in HS
#8 RB Le’Veon Moss
- 6-0 215
- 96 carries in ‘23
- 5.0 YPC
- breaks tackles, can be slippery
- 10.84 100m in HS, 32.8 vert
- a liability in pass protection
- projected RB1, good lateral movement
#22 RB EJ Smith
- 6-0 215
- Stanford transfer
- was not healthy in the spring
- tore his ACL in ‘22
- played behind bad lines at Stanford
- SR bowl watch list
- only 109 career carries
- trucked by Marist Liufau in pass pro vs ND
- good speed and a threat as a receiver
#3 WR Noah Thomas
- 6-6 200
- at times was bodied by stronger corners despite size last season
- large catch radius, caught 7 of 9 contested targets
- played through multiple injuries in ‘23
- 29 catches, 5 TDs
- SR bowl watch list
- had a breakout spring and summer
- long strider with an elite 400m time in high school
#7 WR Moose Mohammed
- 6-1 195
- 27 catches in ‘23
- SR Bowl watch list
- 2nd team All-SEC in ‘22 by PFF
- 38 for 610 in ‘22, 16.1 per catch in only 8 games
- went from a featured receiver to just a guy
- did not do well vs man coverage, caught only two of seven targets
- ran a 4.45 40 in HS
#9 WR Jadhae Walker
- 6-4 205
- started out at Grand Valley State
- 3 100-yard games in first season in SEC
- has had issues with drops
- more of a deep threat at GVSU
- had 8 for 137 in the bowl game
- 7 of 15 on contested targets
#6 WR Cyrus Allen
- 6-0 178
- Louisiana Tech transfer
- 16.7 per catch in ‘23, 22.6 in ‘22
- 46 for 782 in ‘23
- had 6 for 102 vs Nebraska in ‘23, 5 for 121 with 2 TDs vs Mizzou in ‘22
- drops an issue for him, 7 last season
- thin and not a great threat after the catch
- 30.7% of his targets were deep
#11 WR Jacob Bostick
- 6-2 183
- Iowa transfer
- zero impact in two years
- elite athlete
- Vertical 40.9, Broad Jump: 11ft, short shuttle: 3.91, 10yd: 1.49
#23 WR Ernest Campbell
- 5-9 145
- true freshman
- elite speed. 10.22 100m, 20.92 200m
#0 WR Izaiah Williams
- 6-0 180
- true freshman
- ran a 10.94 100m
#4 WR Micah Tease
- 6-0 180
- 11.03 100m in HS
- probably WR4 or 5 for them
- limited opportunities at A&M so far
#2 RB/WR Terry Bussey
- 6-0 195
- originally projected to play CB, but moved to offense this summer
- 10.66 100m
- return game option
- was described by a friend who scouts in his region of Texas as a “generational talent”
- elite two-way player in high school, big time basketball player as well
- undetermined what his role will be, but a Zachariah Branch type of athlete
#18 TE Donovan Green
- 6-4 265
- had 22 for 233 as a true freshman in ‘22
- tore his ACL last August and missed the season
- looked a bit sluggish with some extra weight compared to how he used to move
- very good ball skills
#85 TE Jaden Platt
- 6-5 260
- Explosive athlete
- 34 inch vert, 128 broad jump in high school
- 4.22 short shuttle 7.04 3-cone
- played QB before TE
- had a 39-yard reception vs Okie St in ‘23
#17 TE Theo Melin Öhrström
- 6-6 265
- From Sweden, played in special program for American football
- two starts last season
- has primarily been used as a run blocker
- 63% of snaps last season he was in as a blocker
- 0 targets in his career
#84 TE Tre Watson
- 6-5 250
- Fresno State transfer
- battled injuries in the spring
- SR bowl watch list
- Added some weight to help block better
- Considered the best receiver of the group
- 38 for 382 and 4 TDs in ‘23
- possession receiver
- primarily in-line at Fresno
#88 TE Garrett Miller
- 6-5 260
- Purdue transfer
- SR Bowl watch list
- 30 catches for 243 in ‘23
- only 8.1 per catch
- has had issues with drops
- average run blocker
- 4.77 40, 4.4 short shuttle in HS
#82 TE Shane Calhoun
- 6-4 250
- East Carolina transfer
- 33 starts at ECU
- very little production, very little plays after the catch
- explosive athletic testing in HS
- 38.3 vert, 4.71 40
- only 4.57 short shuttle may explain separation issues
#60 LT Trey Zuhn
- 6-7 315
- two-year starter
- SR bowl watch list
- long, better in pass pro than as a run blocker
- the most consistent player on their OL, only one locked in to a spot
#76 RT Reuben Fatheree II
- 6-8 320
- multi-year starter at RT, relegated to backup in ‘23
- called for 11 penalties in ‘22
- projected backup this season
#55 OT Armaj Reed-Adams
- 6-5 330
- Kansas transfer
- took reps with first team at RT during camp and RG
- SR Bowl Watch list
- Kansas lined him up as a TE ran wham blocks with him
- 15 starts in 4 years at Kansas, 11 in ‘23
- more suited to guard than tackle
- allowed 5 pressures at guard in 8 games
- allowed 5 pressures at RT in three games
#78 OT Dametrious Crowner
- 6-7 330
- 369 snaps at RT in ‘23
- inconsistent, one start last season
- was sometimes used as an extra TE
- played TE in HS. Alert goal-line play-action
#54 OC/OG Mark Nabou
- 6-4 325
- took reps with first team at RG during camp
- started 11 games at guard, one at center in ‘23
- primary starter at LG last season
- played in a run heavy offense in HS and still struggles in pass pro
#74 OG Aki Ogunbiyi
- 6-4 330
- started at multiple positions, 8 games in ‘21 and ‘22
- only played six games in ‘22 after injury knocked him out
- played 611 snaps in ‘21 and ‘22, 15 last season
#71 OL Chase Bisontis
- 6-6 320
- started last season at RT as a true freshman, struggled a lot there
- started at RG in the bowl game
- moved to LG and is projected starter there
- Feldman’s Freaks List
- Awesome strength numbers. 445 bench, 605 squat for 3
- Clocked at 17mph running, can be a weapon as a puller
- had good buzz about him during camp, but potentially banged up
#75 C/G Kam Dewberry
- 6-4 330
- Missed spring ball with an injury
- 8 career starts
- has played both guard spots, 844 snaps the last two seasons
- flashes some dominant reps in run game, good in a phone booth
#61 C Kolinu'u Faaiu
- 6-3 330
- Utah transfer who arrived after the spring
- started 8 games in ‘23
- much better run blocker than in pass pro
- has a tough time with stunts and quicker nose guards
Key for Notre Dame
Don’t fall for window dressing and whip them up front
Notre Dame’s defensive line and the pressure package Al Golden will bring to the table should give A&M’s O-line a tough assignment. If the Irish win the battle up front and don’t allow Weignman many opportunities to get comfortable, it will be difficult for A&M to put drives together.
With all of that said, they can’t get beat by scheme. The first drive or two could be a whole lot of illusion to try and create confusion for Notre Dame’s defense. As long as they don’t get too caught up in it, they can weather that storm and settle in.
Defense
Notre Dame fans should also be somewhat familiar with Elko’s defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman. Bateman was the DC at North Carolina under Mack Brown when the Irish played them in 2020 and 2021. He was let go after that ‘21 season and was most recently the inside linebacker coach at Florida.
Bateman was viewed as a savvy hire by Brown when he started at UNC, but struggled to find success despite having a number of elite recruits at all three levels of the defense. His last defense at UNC finished 95th in DF+. Elko and Bateman have been friends for a long time and were on staff together at Richmond all the way back in 2004.
It’s fair to say Elko’s fingerprints will be all over what A&M does on defense and for all intents and purposes, this defense will be his with a sprinkle of some of the pressure packages Bateman has used at his previous stops.
They are projected 17th in DF+.
Expected Strengths
The pass rush should be nasty. They have three starters up front who have proven they can get after the quarterback and several others with freakish traits who could emerge to compliment them. It’s not a defense that Notre Dame wants to be in 3rd and long against.
The secondary has a ton of game experience and there’s a mixture of that combined with young talent who could end up being better than the veterans.
This defense probably has the most NFL level athletes out of any group Notre Dame will face this fall. Give that kind of talent to someone like Elko and it’s going to be a good defense.
Potential Weaknesses
While they have a stud at one starting linebacker spot, they may not have a good answer starting next to him. The best option may prove to be a transfer who arrived in the summer who is catching up or a sophomore with very little experience.
When Notre Dame plays heavy, it could be a weak point for them at the position. The defensive line could be one of the best in the country, but they do have some questions. They are replacing three of their top-four defensive tackles from last season.
They are moving a starting end inside and are not the biggest at those spots. We’ll see how that group does playing the run in their first test.
The secondary has a lot of new faces and they might not be as on point early on with those new players.
Personnel notes
#11 Edge Nic Scourton
- 6-4 285
- Purdue transfer
- led the Big Ten in sacks in ‘23, 19 havoc plays
- projected first round pick
- 21.3% pass-rush win rate in ‘23, 9th among all edge defenders
- 30.6% win rate vs true pass sets
- 25 run-defense stops tied for 3rd in the Power Five
- filthy spin move, great motor
- SR Bowl watch list
- previously played out of a two-point at Purdue, now in a three-point
- excels when aligned out wide on obvious pass downs
- uses a variety of moves, more in his bag than typical rushers
- doubling with a back, might want to overset outside and have back ready for inside counter
#4 Edge Shemar Stewart
- 6-6 290
- only two TFLs
- 23.7% win rate vs TPS
- SR Bowl watch list
- moves really well at his weight, but lack of finish as pass rusher is noteworthy
#18 Edge Cashius Howell
- 6-4 245
- Bowling Green transfer
- Performed well against the best competition he faced in the MAC
- led the MAC in sacks
- expected to be involved in their 3rd down package
- 2nd best pass rush win rate in the MAC vs true pass sets
#15 Edge Rylan Kennedy
- 6-4 240
- 36 snaps as a freshman
- earning buzz as a depth pass rusher
- elite high jump for an edge prospect in HS
#6 Edge Enai White
- 6-5 245
- 86-inch wingspan
- only played 5 games in ‘23 before injury vs S Carolina
- Only 36 snaps last season
#92 Edge Malick Sylla
- 6-6 245
- 85-inch wingspan
- flashes as a pass rusher, good twitch
- not good at the POA, run at him when he’s in the game
#94 Edge Josh Celiscar
- 6-4 265
- UCF transfer
- SR Bowl watch list
- multi-year starter at UCF
- versatility to play multiple alignments
- production dropped last season
- a nothing pass rusher, above average run defender
- depth guy
#5 DT Shemar Turner
- 6-4 300
- gained 30 pounds
- moved inside this season
- 24.7% win rate vs TPS
- 10.5 TFLs in ‘23, 12.5 havoc plays
- 2nd team All-SEC
- blocked two field goals
- was projected day two pick last year
- SR bowl watch list
- 6th in the SEC in pressure rate for DL
- Freaky traits, good first step
- only 67 snaps as a DT in ‘23, but 358 in first 2 seasons. Mostly rushing the passer
#56 DT Rodas Johnson
- 6-2 300
- Wisconsin transfer
- 22 career starts
- solid two-down run-stuffer
- not dynamic as a pass rusher, but can push the pocket
#17 DT Albert Regis
- 6-2 310
- Active, good motor
- got the start in the bowl game after opt-outs
- rotation player the last two seasons, the most experience returning at DT
- projected starter
- two-down player, not much of a pass rusher
#13 DT DJ Hicks
- 6-5 300
- started in the bowl game after opt-outs
- elite discus thrower in high school
- 156 snaps as a freshman
- played more outside, moved to DT
- sky high potential, great lateral quickness
#99 DT Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
- Was out in the spring with an injury
- Freakish traits
- 33 inch vert, Florida state champion discus in high school
- trained in MMA
- 33 snaps in the bowl game
#88 DT Samu Taumanupepe
- 6-3 350
- massive dude, but conditioning an issue
- most likely a short yardage player
#55 DT Dealyn Evans
- 6-5 285
- true freshman
- elite shot and discus throws
- haven’t heard buzz about him from camp, but top notch athlete at his size
#21 LB Taurean York
- 6-0 235
- started as a true freshman in ‘23, freshman All-American
- team captain
- 74 tackles, 9.5 havoc plays
- reliable tackler
- instinctive, knows how to find the football
#22 LB Solomon Deshields
- 6-3 235
- Pitt transfer who arrived after the spring
- 8 TFLs in ‘23
- SR Bowl watch list
- One year as a starter, played more outside
- When they play with three LBs to match, he’s likely going to be on the field
- good blitzer
- average in coverage
- physical tackler who I think will eventually start
#0 LB Scooby Williams
- 6-2 230
- Florida transfer
- 3rd leading tackler for UF in ‘23
- graded out as 5th worst Power 5 LB by PFF
- SR Bowl watch list
- played for DC Jay Bateman at Florida
#27 LB Daymion Sanford
- 6-2 230
- played mostly on ST as a true freshman
- 21 snaps on defense
- competing to start vs two transfers
- great 110 hurdles time in HS for LB
#40 LB Martrell Harris Jr.
- 6-2 230
- backup his first two seasons
- depth player at LB, not competing to start
- more athlete than LB
#7 CB/Nickel Tyreek Chappell
- 5-11 185
- multi-year starter playing field corner
- 8.5 havoc plays in ‘23
- NFL prospect, SR Bowl Watch list
- only allowed a reception of 10+ yards on every 69.3 snaps, 2nd best in SEC
- moved to nickel this season
- finds the football. 28 career passes defended
- smart player, rarely gets beat over the top
#26 CB Will Lee
- 6-3 190
- Kansas State transfer, previously at JC
- JC All-American at Iowa Western
- missed a few days in camp with an injury
- only allowed a 46.7 passer rating in man coverage in ‘23
- great job as a tackler last season
#14 CB Jayvon Thomas
- 6-0 195
- started vs Ole Miss as true freshman
- gave up 5 completions on 5 targets, 91 yards
- 185 snaps
- allowed 76.5% completions, 157.1 passer rating, 20.4 per catch
#20 CB BJ Mayes
- 6-1 195
- UAB transfer, previously at Incarnate Word
- 13 havoc plays in first season in FBS
- Senior Bowl watch list
- elite play at lower levels. 49% allowed completions, 59.0 passer rating
- grabby, called for 17 penalties in the last two seasons
- Only game vs power conference opponent was UGA in ‘23
- gave up three catches on four targets, 10.3 per catch. 1 penalty
- only allowed 36.4% completions in man
#10 CB Dezz Ricks
- 6-1 195
- Alabama transfer
- 5-star recruit who redshirted at Bama
- missed most of the spring
- elite traits and testing. 4.5 40 and 39 vert
- long strider
#24 CB Donovan Saunders
- 6-3 195
- Cal Poly transfer
- big time ball production, 14 passes defender as soph
- 10.81 100m, elite long jumper in HS
- dominant in FCS
#8 Nickel Jaydon Hill
- 5-11 196
- Florida transfer
- NFL prospect, SR Bowl watch list
- 1,400 snaps in career
- cooked in man, 17 per reception and 118.8 passer rating
- 4.55 40, 4.24 short shuttle, 34.9 vert in HS
#19 Nickel Bravion Rogers
- 6-0 180
- moved to the nickel from playing outside corner
- 10.69 100m, elite high jump in HS
- 61 snaps as a freshman
- allowed 19.3 per catch on eight catches
#1 S Bryce Anderson
- 6-0 192
- played nickel previously, started 11 games last season
- 55 tackles, 13 havoc plays from that spot
- HS QB
- elite athlete with man cover skills
- 10.48 100m in high school
- Inconsistent tackler, 25% missed tackle percentage
- led the team in missed tackles
- not a ton of experience in the secondary, switch to safety could be up and down
#9 S Trey Jones
- 6-2 215
- Central Michigan transfer
- over 1,800 career snaps
- led CMU in tackles
- best as a box player, used there often
- missed most of the spring with an injury -
should target when isolated in coverage
#3 S Marcus Ratcliffe
- 6-3 210
- San Diego State transfer
- 11 starts at true freshman in ‘23
- likely backup this season
- had rough games vs UCLA, Oregon St, and Boise St
- 5 missed tackles vs Boise
#25 S Dalton Brooks
- 6-0 195
- potential breakout player
- bowl game interception
- had worked at nickel previously
- struggled tackling as a freshman
- elite long jumper in HS
- 170 snaps as a true freshman
- struggled tackling in space
- could be someone to watch as a potential RB with lack of depth, HS RB
#33 S Jarred Kerr
- 6-0 195
- 5 starts over the last two seasons
- depth player
- elite long jumper in HS, 11.09 100m
Key for Notre Dame
Stay on schedule
It’s a different way of saying that if they’re getting positive plays on early downs, they won’t have to have Riley Leonard drop back on 3rd and long often. The more they can avoid that, the better chance they have to hit a big play when the opportunity arises.
A lot will depend on how well Notre Dame can run the football in this game.
Special Teams
Patrick Dougherty is the special teams coordinator and he came over with Elko from Duke. They finished 15th in SF+ last season and 45th in 2022.
They are projected 47th in SF+.
#47 K Randy Bond
- 5-11 195
- Senior Bowl watch list
- all-district soccer player in HS
- 49% touchbacks in ‘23
- 74.3% field goals in ‘23, 13 of 17 in ‘22
- made 5 of 6 from 50+, 4 of 10 from 40 to 49
#37 P Tyler White
- 6-4 225
- was top ranked punter in the country as a recruit
- 7 punts for 47 yard average in the spring game
- also played baseball in HS
Other ST notes:
Bussey is the one to watch as a kick returner. Muhammad has returned punts in his career, but has not proven to be all that dangerous. Bussey could be the punt returner as well.
Allen averaged 20.6 per kick return at Louisiana Tech, but never broke anything big.
WR Jahdae Walker blocked a punt last season against Miami. Trey Jones blocked a kick in 2022 at Central Michigan.
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