Story Poster
Jimbo Fisher
Devon Achane
Sam Mathews
Texas A&M Football

Talented true freshmen are A&M's foundation for future success

November 7, 2022
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There may be one ray of hope breaking through the smog of Texas A&M’s polluted football season.

The Aggies (3-6) have plummeted from No. 6 in the early national rankings to the bottom of the Southeastern Conference West division standings.

But the fall is cushioned by the fact that an inordinate amount of true freshmen from the top-rated 2022 recruiting classes have been thrust into action.

Indeed, a dozen true freshmen have started at least one game.

They’re not just starting. Some are making significant impacts.

Evan Stewart leads A&M in receiving. Donovan Green has the most catches among tight ends. Le’Veon Moss has emerged as the primary backup for star running back Devon Achane.

Defensive ends LT Overton and Shemar Stewart have posted sacks and have been credited with four quarterback pressures.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Jacoby Mathews lead the Aggies with 15 tackles in Saturday’s loss to Florida.

Safeties Bryce Anderson, Jarred Kerr and Jacoby Mathews have been impressive.

Quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns in a start against Ole Miss. Weigman came down with the flu last week and did not start in a 41-24 loss to Florida.

Fisher said Weigman has been cleared to play and will start against Auburn on Saturday night.

Weigman and the other freshmen could be the foundation for future success. That is if head coach Jimbo Fisher can keep the team together.

That won’t be easy.

Disappointment often leads to disgruntlement. In today’s college football, a disgruntled roster can quickly become a depleted roster as players can opt to enter the transfer portal.

That’s the danger A&M faces. Fisher said he’s facing it head-on.

“You worry about that all the time,” Fisher said at his weekly press conference on Monday. “But this team is a very tight-knit, very unified group of guys. Especially that young group.”

A couple of freshmen from the celebrated recruiting class have already sat out multiple games due to suspensions. It would come as no surprise if those players left.

There have also been reports that other programs — some within the state of Texas — are already pursuing and encouraging A&M players to transfer.

To make matters worse, A&M on Monday lost the commitment of five-star linebacker prospect Anthony Hill‍. There’s fear other committed prospects may soon reconsider, too.

“You worry about that all the time. But this team is a very tight-knit, very unified group of guys. Especially that young group.”
- A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher

That would make keeping the 2022 class intact even more crucial.

Weigman may be the key. Talented quarterbacks tend to attract other players. If Fisher can keep Weigman, perhaps the majority of the other freshmen will stay.

At least for now, Fisher appeared confident that the nucleus of the freshman class will remain intact.

“They’ve been great,” Fisher said. “We’ve had conversations about (the future). They’re excited about where they’re going, what’s happening and the future of what you’re doing.

“We talk to them every day about it. As a matter of fact, two of them came up to me today and go, ‘I know we’re short, but man, we’re going to be a good team. We can still be a good team this year. We like where we’re going in the future.’

“They like each other. They practice together. They spend a lot of time together and unify.”

Obviously, Fisher hopes they will spend at least two more seasons together.

Discussion from...

Talented true freshmen are A&M's foundation for future success

6,675 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Agit8r
SEC Champs
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AG
Does that "young group" include Marshall and Harris? What's their status?
AgOutsideAustin
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AG
He better keep them his job depends on it.
zephyr88
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AG
It will be exciting to watch this batch of young talent grow together... looking forward to the future!
DGrimesAg92
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There's about to be a mass exodus from this program.
Just Tired
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"future success" for aggie football always remains future. these current players may have kids of their own before it materializes into so much as an sec championship. success in the next couple of years is as speculative as the dateless mnc trophy presented to jimbo.
Cojack
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Yeah they're going to stick together as they head for the portal
P.U.T.U
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AG
Looking like we already lost 15% and will likely lose 20% to the portal in the first year. Let's see who has the best recruiting class ever after looking at the numbers after year one, not A&M.
fireinthehole
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Fewer negative posts would help.
You are the world, we are the USA, don't mess with us and we won't blow your $hit away.
AggieDadxTwo
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Ah the nattering nabobs of negativity. I think there is one huge thing all you folks predicting an exodus are missing. The one thing that all young recruits (and those being recruited) want is playing time. And freshmen usually don't get much of it, particularly in the SEC. This big group of highly touted freshman have all gotten tons of playing time. They have a lot to adjust to; college in general, new team and team mates, new coaches, new system, and they have to learn each other and come together as a team. So while this season has been painful, it should be seen as an investment. This group will all be young veterans next season and have figured out all the things I mentioned above. That would make them a championship-level foundation for the next 3 years. I don't think you guys give them enough credit for knowing this and being willing to stay where they are. Next year you will all be cheering a dominant team and trying to forget some of the comments you made this season. The portal is not the golden gateway some think it is. Ask Zach Evans the 5th year TCU running back that transferred to Ole Miss rather than staying and likely going to the playoffs this season.
Picadillo
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Other coaches are getting immediate results in Year 1 and Year 2. I've seen enough of Fisher.
AWP 97
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AG
A&M will be better next year reminds me of the bar that has the sign that says "free beer tomorrow".
Agit8r
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AG
SEC Champs said:

Does that "young group" include Marshall and Harris? What's their status?

They still show on the roster.

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