Excited for A&M, but also the growth this year

[Alex C]

This week, I have been thinking about the growth of the OL and QB, as well as many stud players having another year(almost) of experience. 

Not looking past the Aggies, but thinking about how we have been building for this year.... and how (relatively) young we are. 

In the past 2 drafts, we have had double digit players drafted. This year, i could see only a handful and those will be impacted by underclassman decision.  (Taaffe and Burke are the only seniors I think will for sure get drafted- other possibilities will be listed below). In the past 2 years, we have had 5 first rounders, 5 second rounders, and 13 later round picks (and Isiah bond who should have been drafted if not for legal troubles).

What this looks like to me is we have the most returning talent in the past few years. We have the portal to fill in some gaps like the IOL, but the future for these players and the incoming recruit looks as bright as ever. I know this is a couple weeks early for offseason talk, but the early season Arch turning into mature experienced Arch and the young DBs playing have me thinking about what is possible.

Outgoing Seniors (starters and key contributors)
OL- Hutson and Campbell
DL- Burke, Shaw, Trey Moore, 
DB- Taaffe, Guilbeau

Draft Eligible Juniors- Expecting Goosby and some others that could work themselves into draft as staying at the moment)
LB- Hill
DB- Manny M, Jelani


I am absolutely baffled by how little turnover might occur is we can keep players like Ant Hill and Manny, and the amount of talent coming in. 

This is where the Sark talk seems silly. Yes we need to win big games, but to see how the roster management is looking and how many SO and FR are ready to have big seasons in the next ear or two is absolutely huge. 

Excited to see Littleton, Phillips, Jackson, January, Ffrench, Lockett, Terry, and so many more grow up and make an impact on the 40 acres. 
 

[SchoolColors]

DB room will be interesting and expensive if Akina is retained.

[hookem1014]

I think next year will be huge if Sark makes the right staff moves and attacks the portal like he did in 23 and 24. We lose some big time players for us but so much upside has been shown from the younger guys these last few games. 

[SB21]

I feel like NIL will get some extra funds knowing we gotta capitalize on the next two years while Arch is still here. 

[Alex Butler]

14 minutes ago, SchoolColors said:

DB room will be interesting and expensive if Akina is retained.

They’re going to be badass next year. Give Akina a chance to really work the young guys. The Gilbeau experiment was an unfortunate flop but we have a TON of talent and football character back there. Losing a lot, but we have the talent and players to make big leaps. Trust the process Akina will get these dudes back with Huff flexing on them. 

[SchoolColors]

5 minutes ago, Alex Butler said:

They’re going to be badass next year. Give Akina a chance to really work the young guys. The Gilbeau experiment was an unfortunate flop but we have a TON of talent and football character back there. Losing a lot, but we have the talent and players to make big leaps. Trust the process Akina will get these dudes back with Huff flexing on them. 

Why would you trust someone that has never been good at coaching zone to coach zone well to mesh with our DC that prefers zone? Unless we get a new DC or PK decides to run more man concepts with his defense that is a futile effort. Also the problem is the players aren't meshing with Akina either.

[Alex Butler]

11 minutes ago, SchoolColors said:

Why would you trust someone that has never been good at coaching zone to coach zone well to mesh with our DC that prefers zone? Unless we get a new DC or PK decides to run more man concepts with his defense that is a futile effort. Also the problem is the players aren't meshing with Akina either.

I don’t think we know if the players are meshing with him or not. The head coach has said he wants to play more man. I’m going to trust the DC that has proven to work within the system and adapt as well as the coach with more NFL skins on the wall than most anyone in college football. 

[Here for the Wins]

43 minutes ago, Alex Butler said:

I don’t think we know if the players are meshing with him or not. The head coach has said he wants to play more man. I’m going to trust the DC that has proven to work within the system and adapt as well as the coach with more NFL skins on the wall than most anyone in college football. 

Pff shows that we are running man about 10-15% more this year than last.  Manny has gone from 17 to 28% for example.

[CHorn427]

2 hours ago, Alex C said:

This week, I have been thinking about the growth of the OL and QB, as well as many stud players having another year(almost) of experience. 

Not looking past the Aggies, but thinking about how we have been building for this year.... and how (relatively) young we are. 

In the past 2 drafts, we have had double digit players drafted. This year, i could see only a handful and those will be impacted by underclassman decision.  (Taaffe and Burke are the only seniors I think will for sure get drafted- other possibilities will be listed below). In the past 2 years, we have had 5 first rounders, 5 second rounders, and 13 later round picks (and Isiah bond who should have been drafted if not for legal troubles).

What this looks like to me is we have the most returning talent in the past few years. We have the portal to fill in some gaps like the IOL, but the future for these players and the incoming recruit looks as bright as ever. I know this is a couple weeks early for offseason talk, but the early season Arch turning into mature experienced Arch and the young DBs playing have me thinking about what is possible.

Outgoing Seniors (starters and key contributors)
OL- Hutson and Campbell
DL- Burke, Shaw, Trey Moore, 
DB- Taaffe, Guilbeau

Draft Eligible Juniors- Expecting Goosby and some others that could work themselves into draft as staying at the moment)
LB- Hill
DB- Manny M, Jelani


I am absolutely baffled by how little turnover might occur is we can keep players like Ant Hill and Manny, and the amount of talent coming in. 

This is where the Sark talk seems silly. Yes we need to win big games, but to see how the roster management is looking and how many SO and FR are ready to have big seasons in the next ear or two is absolutely huge. 

Excited to see Littleton, Phillips, Jackson, January, Ffrench, Lockett, Terry, and so many more grow up and make an impact on the 40 acres. 
 

I will be shocked if Ant stays. Pleasantly surprised, but shocked