With QB Conner Weigman back under center, the Aggies will be looking to head to the College Football Playoffs, despite already being down a star running back.
The Texas A&M Aggies are just a week away from kicking off the Mike Elko era, a new chapter that the 12th Man hopes will bring some hardware back to College Station.
Recently, the Aggies received a confidence boost by being ranked No. 20 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Despite losing several players to the draft this year, the team has filled those gaps effectively, and the Aggie offense is poised to perform, especially with quarterback Conner Weigman returning after redshirting. Weigman was having a standout season in 2023, drawing Heisman attention until a lower-body injury against Auburn in week four cut his season short.
So, who will join Weigman when the Aggies kick off the season in prime time against Notre Dame next Saturday?
Here’s how Texas A&M Aggies on SI expects Mike Elko and Collin Klein’s offense to take shape for the upcoming game:
Quarterback
1. Conner Weigman
2. Marcel Reed
3. Jaylen Henderson
No one should be surprised that Conner Weigman will be at the helm against the Fighting Irish. The Aggies are hoping he can remain healthy at least until their season finale against Texas, avoiding a repeat of last year when the quarterback room resembled an emergency room. Marcel Reed delivered a strong performance in the Texas Bowl following Jaylen Henderson’s injury on the first offensive play. Despite these challenges, the Aggies still ended up with a winning record and aim to improve upon their 4-4 SEC record from last season.
Running Back
1. Le’Veon Moss
2. Amari Daniels
3. E.J. Smith
Rueben Owens was prepared for his sophomore season in Maroon and White, but a lower leg injury a few weeks ago cut his season short. However, Moss and Daniels formed an effective duo in the Aggie backfield last season, totaling 1,016 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. E.J. Smith, a redshirt transfer from Stanford and the son of Hall of Fame halfback Emmitt Smith, is expected to get some carries too in Owens’ absence. The Aggies appear to be well-equipped for the running game this season.
Wide Receiver
WR – X
1. Jahdae Walker
2. Terry Bussey
3. Jacob Bostick
WR – Slot
1. Moose Muhammad III
2. Micah Tease
3. Ernest Campbell
WR – Z
1. Noah Thomas
2. Cyrus Allen
3. Izaiah Williams
Despite Evan Stewart’s transfer to Oregon and Ainias Smith signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Aggie receiving unit remains packed with experience and talent. Walker topped the returning receivers with 590 receiving yards, while Thomas led the team with five touchdown receptions. Terry Bussey could have a significant impact for Texas A&M similar to what Travis Hunter does at Colorado. Moose Muhammad, son of former Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad, boasts unmatched route running and open field skills. Who could forget his incredible one-handed catch and hurdle against Abilene Christian? It was a memorable moment, and fans should keep an eye out for him to deliver something spectacular again this season.
Tight End
1. Tre Watson
2. Donovan Green
3. Shane Calhoun
This offseason, the Aggies brought in tight end Tre Watson, who has championship game experience from his time with the Washington Huskies during their runner-up finish against the Michigan Wolverines in this year’s national championship. Watson has expressed his disappointment about being on the losing side, so he’s expected to approach this season with great determination. Additionally, Donovan Green returns after missing last year due to a torn ACL, and transfer Shane Calhoun further enhances the depth of reliable tight ends on the team.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
1. Trey Zuhn III
2. Dametrious Crownover
3. Blake Ivy
Left Guard
1. Chase Bisontis
2. Aki Ogunbiyi
3. Ashton Funk
Center
1. Kolinu’u Faaiu
2. TJ Shanahan
Right Guard
1. Mark Nabou Jr.
2. Kam Dewberry
3. Isendre Ahfua
Right Tackle
1. Ar’maj Reed-Adams
2. Reuben Fatheree II
3. Hunter Erb
Conner Weigman benefits from a robust line of protection, featuring seasoned A&M players like Trey Zuhn III, Mark Nabou Jr., and the newly designated “12th Man,” Ar’maj Reed-Adams. Last season, this protection helped the Aggie backfield achieve an average of 136.2 rushing yards per game, and with the added depth in both the offensive line and at running back, even better results are anticipated this year.
Leave a Reply