Covering Bases: Texas A&M's Sumlin provides pre-fall camp update

Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin said his team's base defense would remain a 4-3 but indicated the Aggies likely will start the year with a 4-2-5 formation to keep safety Donovan Wilson on the field.

“Everybody says, who’s the third linebacker?” Sumlin said. “Well, the third linebacker better be pretty damn good to get Donovan Wilson off the field.”

Wilson, who led A&M in interceptions last season, has bulked up to 205 pounds, which will allow him to play closer to the line of scrimmage. He can move into the box to play the run and can drift back to safety if the opponent opts to spread out with four receivers.

“When you have Donovan Wilson, you keep that guy on the field, and you don’t have to panic,” Sumlin said. “(He) is a hybrid guy who can adjust to formations.”

Appearing very relaxed, Sumlin met with A&M beat reporters for an informal luncheon on Thursday afternoon at the Slocum Nutrition Center to discuss recent events involving the A&M football team and the prospects for the upcoming season.

Sumlin revealed that freshman receiver Quartney Davis will miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He also said running back Rakeem Boyd has yet to be cleared to play by the NCAA clearinghouse.

He announced that freshman defensive end recruit Alton Robinson, who is facing legal issues, has been released from his letter of intent.

Sumlin also revealed that offense quality control coach Chris Smith would coach the offensive linemen while offensive line coach Jim Turner serves a two-week suspension. Smith served as offensive line coach in place of B.J. Anderson during Texas A&M’s Liberty Bowl victory over West Virginia in 2014.

Sumlin said he would help to coach tight ends and special teams while coach Jeff Banks sits out a two-week suspension.

Turner and Banks were suspended for inappropriate remarks and content in a slide show during Chalk Talk, a football seminar for women.

Sumlin said the reaction to the Chalk Talk controversy was “a learning experience for everyone.”

He also said he was unsure whether Chalk Talk would continue in the future.

“I don’t know,” he said when asked if the event would continue. “On one hand, you’ve got what has taken place. But on the other hand, we gave a check to Twin Cities Missions for almost $20,000. It’s a shelter for battered women and the homeless. We’ve got a great relationship with them. You don’t want to get rid of what it was for.”

When the discussion went back to football, Sumlin repeated that he has great expectations for the defense.

Earlier this summer he said that the Aggies had a potential top-15 defense. He did not back off that statement.

“I think we’ve got a lot of guys back that are high level players – NFL caliber players,” he said. “That hasn’t been the case (in the past). Our two ends (Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall) and all three safeties (Armani Watts, Justin Evans, Wilson) … We’ll see if they’re all back next year. Put it that way.”

Of that group, only Evans is a senior.

Sumlin also said he has seen positive signs from junior receiver Speedy Noil, who has been suspended for violating team rules and will miss the season-opener against UCLA.

"Speedy Noil has done what we asked him to do,” Sumlin said. “He’s really worked at some things in his personal life. Does that mean he’s got everything together? You hope so. I know he has made a real effort, and it’s obvious to everybody that he’s made an effort to change things in his personal life.”

Also, Sumlin said defensive tackle recruit T.D. Moton has finally been cleared to play by the NCAA after two years. He will report this weekend and will practice when August camp starts on Monday.

“It says a lot about the kid and his commitment to us,” Sumlin said.  “The kid had options to do other things.”

Sumlin also repeated praise for senior quarterback Trevor Knight, who has been lauded for his leadership since he transferred to A&M from Oklahoma earlier this year.

“He got better every week during spring,” Sumlin said. “He’s done a great job in the summer of being around, and film study and running seven-on-sevens. Everybody is just ready to practice. It’s been a long time.”