2014 SEC Football Preview: Texas A&M Aggies
By Dave Bevan
Ole Hotty Toddy is going to prepare you for the upcoming 2014 season with all the information we can provide you. We are even going to give you an in depth look at each SEC team.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the Texas A&M Aggies and what to expect from them in the upcoming 2014 season. We will go over which impact players are returning in 2014, who left, a look at there schedule, and then our staff will predict how the Aggies will do in the 2014 season.
Introduction
The Texas A&M Aggies are coming off a 2013 fourth place finish in the SEC West, with a 4-4 SEC record, a 8-4 overall record, and surprisingly had to rally to beat Duke in the 2013 Chick-fli-A Bowl. The Aggies have beaten the Ole Miss Rebels with thrilling finishes in the past two seasons under Coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin holds a 20-6 overall record with the Aggies, including a 2-0 bowl record. This season, Sumlin will be losing a lot of talent, including starting quarterback Johnny Manziel. Is this a rebuilding year for Sumlin and the Aggies as they look to bring a fresh new crop of talent.
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Who Has Left?
Johnny Manziel (QB) – Johnny Manziel has been the face of Texas A&M football for the past two seasons. In both 2012 and 2013, Manziel was one of the top leaders of the SEC in total passing yards (2012: 3,704 – ranked 2nd ; 2013: 4,114). Perhaps, Johnny Manziel’s biggest year came in 2012, even though the stats weren’t as impressive as 2013, Manziel’s crowning moments came when he knocked off the giant Crimson Tide and won the Heisman Trophy. Manziel would entertain us all with his offseason antics. His autograph scandal would go on to top those charts. Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) warms-up prior to facing the Duke Blue Devils in the 2013 Chick-fil-a Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans (WR) – Mike Evans has been the Aggies top receiver over the past two seasons. In 2012, Evans accumulated 82 receptions for 1105 yards (ranked 3rd in the SEC in 2012), averaging 13.5 yards and also picked up 5 touchdowns. In 2013, Evans caught 69 receptions for 1,394 yards (ranked 2nd in the SEC in 2013), averaging 20.2 yards and also picked up 12 touchdowns. Evans was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and was the seventh overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His talent down field will be a vital replacement for the Aggies in the 2014 season.
Jake Matthews (OT) – Jake Matthews
was one of the Aggies best offensive linemen in the 2014 season. Matthews played offensive tackle for the Aggies and was apart of the offense that posted the most offensive yardage in the SEC in 2014. Evans went in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and was the sixth overall pick by the Atlanta Flacons.
Other Notable Players: Nate Askew (OLB), Kirby Ennis (DT), Nehemiah Hicks (TE), Ben Malena (RB), Derel Walker (WR)
Who Is Coming?
Myles Garrett (WDE) – Myles Garrett was one of the top defensive ends in the country coming into the 2014 recruiting class for Texas A&M. He has good size for his position. At 6ft. – 4inches and 240 pounds, he will be able to exploded through some of the best offensive lines. Garrett is a 2014 5-star prospect from Arlington, Texas and was ranked nationally as the top player in his position. Garrett has good frame and amazing athleticism that will be invaluable to the Aggie defense. Expect Garrett to get a lot of playing time in his freshman season. Jan 2, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Nitro running bck Dalvin Cook (4) runs with the ball as Team Highlight defensive end Myles Garrett (15) tackles during the first half in the Under Armour All America football game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Allen (QB) – Kyle Allen is one of the top quarterbacks coming out of the 2014 recruiting class. Allen hails from Scottsdale, Arizona and is rated a 5-star prospect and the number one quarterback prospect in the country coming in 2014. Allen has amazing pocket presence, and his accuracy and delivery is one of the best ever witnessed. Allen is a pro-style quarterback and would bring a totally different aspect to the Aggie offense then Manziel. Allen is currently battling for the starting role of quarterback for the Aggies in 2014.
Speedy Noil (WR) – Speedy Noil Speed Noil is a 5-star prospect of the 2014 recruiting class and was ranked the number one wide receiver in the country. Noil has amazing agility and causes mismatches with the best downfield. He is the deep field threat that the Aggies could be looking for to replace Evans in 2014.
Other Notable Players: Nick Harvey (CB), Frank Iheanacho (WR), DeShawn Washington (DT), Qualen Cunningham (WDE), Otaro Alaka (OLB)
Who Is Returning?
Kenny Hill (QB) – The other quarterback battling for the starting role in 2014 is Kenny Hill. The sophomore may have just enough edge to beat out Allen due to in-game experience. In 2013, Hill played in four games, completed 16 passes for 183 yards, and also threw one touchdown pass. He also rushed seven times for 37 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Hill is like Manziel, an option dual-threat quarterback that can scramble when he needs to. It is a much different style offense with Hill than Allen’s approach. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle to start at quarterback for the Aggies. Sep 7, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill (7) throws a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Williams (RB) – Texas A&M junior running back, Trey Williams has the chance to be the leading rusher for the Aggies in 2014. Williams ranked third on the team last season in rushing. Last season, Williams rushed for 407 yards on 58 attempts, averaging seven yards a carry, and picked up six rushing touchdowns.
Gavin Stansbury (DT) – Texas A&M has a lot of returning players in 2014, but the talent was scarce last season. The Aggies had one of the worst defensives in the SEC and allowed some of the most points in the entire league. If there is anyone who returns with good talent for the Aggies in 2014, it is defensive tackle Gavin Stansbury. Last season, Stansbury picked up 47 total tackles and 3 sacks.
Other Notable Players: Brandon Williams (RB), Mike Matthews (OC), Kimo Tipoti (OG), Alonzo Williams (SDE), Tyrone Taylor (WDE)
Ole Hotty Toddy’s Thoughts on Texas A&M…
Acey Roberts: This is potentially a big transitional year for head coach Kevin Sumlin as critical pieces will be missing from his 2013 offense, quarterback Johnny Manziel, wide receiver Mike Evans, running back Ben Malena and offensive tackle Jake Matthews are all gone. Four offensive lineman return along with ten on defense that should give Sumlin something to work with. If he is able to salvage anything this year, he will have to prove he can strike gold with another rookie quarterback in Kyle Allen. Texas A&M hosts Ole Miss this year in between road games against MSU and just prior to a trip to Tuscaloosa. I don’t think the Rebels need a trap game scenario to beat the Aggies. They should handle Sumlins squad fairly easily, but I can see Ole Miss struggling a bit on the road. I’m still picking the Rebs, 17-14.
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Dave Bevan: I just don’t see the Aggies making as much noise as they did with Johnny Football. Mike Evans and Jake Matthews are also going to be missed as they were a huge impact to the Aggies’ offense. Sumlin has a lot of great talent coming to the program in 2014, and they will start right away, but they will be inexperienced. I see Kyle Allen picking up the starting role over Hill, but it will be a new transition style for the offense compared to last season. Over the past two seasons, the Aggies have beaten the Rebels both times, thanks only to Johnny Manziel. I don’t see that happening this year, and I don’t think the 12th man will help them. I see the Rebels beating the Aggies by two possessions. I see 2014 being a hard one for Sumlin and the Aggies. They will need to rely on their weak scheduled non-conference opponents to win seven games in the regular season.