I put together this chart with true freshman and transfers I'm hopeful that could crack the three deep where we need help. I know some aren't likely. To me doesn't look too shabby. Let me know what yall think or if there should be changes.

Offense
WR-X : Concepcion(TR) / Ashton Bethel-Roman / Jerome Myles(FR)

WR-Z : Bussey / Jonah Wilson(TR)

WR-SL: Mario Craver(TR) / Micah Hudson(TR) / Izaiah Williams(RS-FR)

LT: Trey Zuhn / Ashton Funk
LG: Chase Bisontis / Isendre Ahfua
C: Kolinu'u Faaiu / Mark Nabou
RG : Reed-Adams / Blake Ivy
RT: Crownover / Rueben Fatheree / Lamont Rogers(FR)

TE: Melin-Ohrstrom / Amari Niblack(TR) / Nate Boerkircher(TR)

QB: Marcel Reed / Jacob Zeno(TR) / Miles O'Neil (RS-FR)

Defense
LDE: T.J. Searcy(TR) / Rylan Kennedy / Marco Jones(FR)
NT : Albert Regis / Rodas Johnson
DT : Tyler Onyedim(TR) / DJ Hicks / Dealyn Evans
RDE: Cashius Howell / Dayon Hayes(TR) / Sam M'Pemba(TR)

WLB: Taurean York / Sam M'Pemba(TR) / Noah Mikhail(FR)

MLB: Scooby Williams/ Daymion Sanford
LCB: Julian Humphrey(TR) / Dezz Ricks
SS: Dalton Brooks /Marcus Ratcliffe / Rashad Johnson(FR)
FS: Bryce Anderson / Trey Jones
RCB: Will Lee / Jayvon Thomas
NB: Tyreek Chappell / Jordan Shaw(TR)

*wasent positive where we would play M'Pemba so I put him twice I know*

DT depth. Woof.

Not too far off. But the York line should be middle LB and the Scooby line should be WLB. Also, Rodus Johnson is out of eligibility I believe

Hayes plays the SDE same as searcy.

Kennedy plays the same end spot as Howell.

M'pemba will be at DE.

Rodas and Trey jones aren't here.

funk is interior OL and Bourdon is currently the back up LT.

Dt and wr will still be a spring window need.

Another best available type and/or if they determine a position isn't up to where they want it to be post spring

Offense has some upside depending upon how Reed develops. I would put Klein as a question mark in there as well. I think he did OK last year but that wasn't the most creative offense. Guy needs to watch some Ben Johnson tape.

Defense is where the biggest questions are though. There is some talent in the defensive backfield but they didn't play well last year. I think that group should do better next year. It is the front 7 that is very concerning. There are few decent players but very little proven depth.

If things go off the rails next year it is because the defense broke down and Reed played at the same level as last year. If A&M makes a push to the playoffs (currently at 12th best title odds per ESPN BET) then that means Reed took it up a level and the defense stayed healthy.

Our huge DL wealth of talent, that was (supposed to be) our strength for the last several years, is long gone.

Isn't Fatheree out of eligibility?

That's a pretty 'meh' roster. Combine that with the OC & DC and I think a bowl game will be on tap next season. Maybe.

orag80 said:

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Our huge DL wealth of talent, that was (supposed to be) our strength for the last several years, is long gone.

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Seemed like it was long gone a few years ago…

orag80 said:

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Our huge DL wealth of talent, that was (supposed to be) our strength for the last several years, is long gone.

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They did not play up to their talent especially last year. I think we could be less talented but better performance next year. If we can find a solid NT in the portal.

It seems we have been around the 20th best defense each of the last 2 years (before the bowl games). 2023 we were bad against the pass and good against the run. 2024 we were just ok against both. 2024 was disappointing because it looked like, after 8 games, that we had a chance at a top 10 type of D.

We technically have 8 returning starters. I know the 3 leaving are NFL guys, but I don't think any of them played like stars, especially down the stretch. I don't see any reason why we can't be about the 20th best defense again (especially if we get another Rodas Johnson type to share time with Regis in the spring portal window). We are returning a lot of good players and added Humphrey, Searcy, Onyendim, and Hayes in the portal. These are good players.

Offense is where we need to make a big leap. Reed needs to take a big step. Would like to add a true #2 receiver in the spring portal window and we need our two premier backs, along with Zuhn and Bisontis, to stay healthy.

Reno Hightower said:

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That's a pretty 'meh' roster. Combine that with the OC & DC and I think a bowl game will be on tap next season. Maybe.

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Please enlighten us as to how this roster compares with all the other teams on our schedule. I'm really certain you have dug into all those opponents depth charts.

We need safeties and DL help bad. Also, I wouldn't be opposed to getting a LB as well because even though York and Williams are solid, they really regressed later in the season

eATMup-Reveille said:

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Reno Hightower said:

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That's a pretty 'meh' roster. Combine that with the OC & DC and I think a bowl game will be on tap next season. Maybe.

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Please enlighten us as to how this roster compares with all the other teams on our schedule. I'm really certain you have dug into all those opponents depth charts.

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This depth chart doesn't have any RB's. So right there it's at a disadvantage.

Downside: I only recognize 26 of those names, and would be able to tell you what position each played on significantly fewer than that if it wasn't already spelled out.

Upside: I recognize 9 of the OL, and returning OL snaps is one of the best indicators of improved offensive performance.

Playoffs!

Okay I didn't know that about Hayes. I also thought we had Kennedy and Howell out there together during the USC game so that's my bad. I figured about M'Pemba as DE and I couldn't find if Jones and Rodas were out of eligibility. Thanks for squaring it up.

I agree. I really like Noah Mikhails tape and I'm hoping he can push those guys or potentially take over a spot but highly doubtful.

While I was making this I looked up an article and it seems he is coming back but it could've been wrong. Hopefully he is cuz we need the help.

Reno Hightower said:

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eATMup-Reveille said:

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Reno Hightower said:

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That's a pretty 'meh' roster. Combine that with the OC & DC and I think a bowl game will be on tap next season. Maybe.

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Please enlighten us as to how this roster compares with all the other teams on our schedule. I'm really certain you have dug into all those opponents depth charts.

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This depth chart doesn't have any RB's. So right there it's at a disadvantage.

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LOL...I suppose it is. At least on 4th and one it might look different!

a.froman said:

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We need safeties and DL help bad. Also, I wouldn't be opposed to getting a LB as well because even though York and Williams are solid, they really regressed later in the season

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Our entire defense regressed in the back half.

We have the talent in our secondary to be elite but they haven't figured it out yet. Hopefully we see drastic improvement this offseason.

We must grab a solid NT or we may be in trouble. But we are in decent shape at both DE and DT.

LB would be a nice to have.

vander54 said:

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orag80 said:

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Our huge DL wealth of talent, that was (supposed to be) our strength for the last several years, is long gone.

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They did not play up to their talent especially last year. I think we could be less talented but better performance next year. If we can find a solid NT in the portal.

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So…500 pounds and runs a 4.8?

eATMup-Reveille said:

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Reno Hightower said:

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That's a pretty 'meh' roster. Combine that with the OC & DC and I think a bowl game will be on tap next season. Maybe.

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Please enlighten us as to how this roster compares with all the other teams on our schedule. I'm really certain you have dug into all those opponents depth charts.

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I'll enlighten you. Tell me what you think our record is going to be and what you don't consider "meh". For argument's sake, I'll give you 9-3.

Auburn beat us last year and has a higher recruiting ranking and transfer portal ranking. They are 6th in overall recruiting rankings.

tu beat us last year and is #1 in recruiting rankings. They are #1 in overall rankings. Aggies are 8th

LSU- we won by a non-repeatable performance by Reed. They are #1 in the transfer portal rankings. They are one spot behind us at #8 in recruiting rankings. They are one spot ahead of us at #7 in overall recruiting rankings.

Do I need to go on?

Florida will be better. We caught them before Lagway got going. They are right behind us in overall team recruiting rankings in the SEC.

South Carolina will be better and was a team on the rise while we were plummeting.

Do you think we've closed the gap on Notre Dame. They are 13th in overall recruiting rankings. Maybe.

We play Mizzou in Columbia next year and it took the game of Weigman's life to beat them (other than maybe LSU 2022)

I'm sure Arkansas and Mississippi State are trying to get better, also. Pittman is probably fighting for his job.

Do I think we lose 7 games next year? No

Is this a "meh" roster and coaching staff? Yes

If they win 9+ games next year, then I'll change my tune. However, finishing outside of the Top 25 and going 8-5 is about as "meh" as it gets. They are who some of us think they are until they aren't.

BTW, I could go much deeper into breaking down the rosters of other teams, but that takes too much time and it wouldn't do any good for a lot of you anyway.

I'll just wait until we lose our fourth game of the season and then you'll know.

8&4AreYouSure? said:

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Okay I didn't know that about Hayes. I also thought we had Kennedy and Howell out there together during the USC game so that's my bad. I figured about M'Pemba as DE and I couldn't find if Jones and Rodas were out of eligibility. Thanks for squaring it up.

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Yes you are correct. Kennedy and Howell played together.
But it was far more out of necessity because we had 3 total DEs (the third being a true fish in solomon Williams who also plays the same position) than where they actually project in a Mike Elko defense. Mike Elko will use a heavier 5 shade and a hybrid edge rusher. In fact, Scourton was the biggest de Elko has ever used in that position.

Howell and Kennedy both may play on obvious passing downs. But in Our base, that's not likely. Neither can really set the edge in the run game at that spot

NoahAg said:

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Playoffs!

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You know it

Texas 8&4 here we come

November to remember roster

Aaaand we're back to lacking depth.

With this roster we will tell how much development happens with Elko & Co. Need more DT depth, better WR & DB play and finally Reed to take some steps fwd. Also, need our rbs to stay healthy.