Entering his third season at Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher has a veteran roster that knows his system and what he wants.
That’s a good thing because A&M never got a chance to start spring practice, which was scheduled to begin March 23. The SEC announced earlier this week that all sports competitions, including football practices and spring scrimmages, were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That said, the expectations for A&M going into 2020 are about as high as they’ve been since the Johnny Manziel era – although there are also key question marks.
Here are the five biggest issues facing A&M:
Kellen Mond stepping up
A senior, Mond will be entering his third season as the starting quarterback. He fell short of his prediction of being the best quarterback in the SEC last season but could be in a position to make that move this fall. To do so, he has to be more accurate than his 61.6% completion rate last season, do a better job of throwing downfield and show more consistency in road games. In road and neutral site games, Mond completed 56.6% of his passes in 2019 with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Running back depth, production
Had A&M started spring practice on schedule, only rising sophomore Isaiah Spiller would have been a recruited scholarship running back. Spiller had a solid freshman year (946 yards, 10 TDs) but obviously needs help. Rising sophomore Ainias Smith looked like a potential playmaker at the position after being moved from receiver for the Texas Bowl. Devon Achane, one of three incoming recruits, is a smallish, quick back who could easily find a niche.
Building a dominant O-line
If you’re going to contend in the SEC, you need big, mean guys up front to open holes. The Aggies have four starters returning, including top 2019 recruit Kenyon Green, and an heir apparent at center in fifth-year center Ryan McCollum. But can A&M dominate? The run game struggled against elite SEC defenses and opponents registered 34 sacks.
Getting pressure up front
Justin Madubuike (5.5 sacks, 11.5 TFLs) was by far A&M’s most productive and disruptive defensive lineman before leaving early for the NFL. Replacing him won’t be easy. The Aggies also have to develop a pass rush off the edge. Tyree Johnson had two sacks in the Texas Bowl win after having just two in the regular season.
Filling secondary holes
The secondary was significantly improved last season but suffered at least one, if not two, unexpected losses. Cornerback Debione Renfro left early for the NFL and safety Leon O’Neal is mulling a transfer. Junior college cornerback Brian George should contribute immediately and freshman Jaylon Jones was ranked as the nation’s top safety in the 247Sports composite listing.
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