Position battles grow more intense for Aggies in the thick of spring ball

Coach Kevin Sumlin on Tuesday night seemed to indicate position battles will start ramping up now that Texas A&M spring football practices have resumed.

Ten more practice sessions are scheduled, including a scrimmage on Saturday and the Maroon-White spring game on April 8. The Aggies scrimmaged between 50 or 60 plays in the Thursday night practice before spring break.

Of course, the quarterback competition between Jake Hubenak, Nick Starkel, Kellen Mond and Connor Blumrick is raging and figures to extend well into August. But Sumlin also noted intense competitions are underway along the offensive line, within the receiving corps and in the secondary.

“We’ve got some offensive linemen that are out,” Sumlin said.  “We’ve go to develop the young guys and see where they can fit in. Basically, we’ve got four starters back. We  have to develop depth with the guys who are here.”

Starting guards Connor Lanfear and Colton Prater are out this spring, though Prater has been getting some work at center in non-contact drills. That has allowed coaches to get a look at center Erik McCoy at guard. Also, Koda Martin, who has starting experience, is stationed at left tackle and Keaton Sutherland is at right tackle.

“We’re moving Colton Prater around a little bit, so we’ve got some flexibility at center,” Sumlin said. “That gives us a chance to work both of those guys at center and guard to give us some options. We’re kind of messing around with those guys and keeping Koda and Keaton on the edges and letting them get as many reps as they can get.

“We know what we’ve got in Erik McCoy at center. We’re trying to develop a young center out of one of the Anderson twins (Austin and Riley) or playing Prater there.”

There are not as many proven players at receiver where Christian Kirk is the only returning starter. Sumlin indicated he’s very satisfied with the athleticism and speed he’s seen from newcomers Jhamon Ausbon, Hezekiah Jones and Roshauud Paul, who are among nine freshmen early enrollees this spring.

He is also impressed with redshirt freshman Quartney Davis, who missed last season with an injury. However, Sumlin acknowledged he’ll get a better feel for them as they face more contact.

“We’ve had six practices, two of which are in underwear,” he said. “Some guys come out — particularly in skill positions or pass rush — and do a good job. But as soon as the pads come on they disappear. We haven’t had that that much. Guys have come on. But it’s one step forward and two steps back as far as installation.”

He said one of the biggest challenges with the receivers is deciding what position they will play. Kirk is a slot receiver. The Aggies lost Ricky Seals-Jones who also played in the slot as well as Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil, who were wide outs.

“We’re trying to get guys in the right position at receiver and get the rotation right,” Sumlin said. “Some of these young guys are going to play. They’re talented and learning and they’re here now.

“Some of them are going to play a lot. That’s why they came here.”

Sumlin also indicated that Larry Pryor has taken over a starting spot at safety opposite Armani Watts, which allows Donovan Wilson to remain as a nickel back.

“We’d like to find a back up for (Wilson),” Sumlin said.

And, of course, Sumlin said the competitors at quarterback are being evaluated for more than just throwing the football.

“All those guys want to be the starter,” he said. “There’s more to it than just playing football. You’ve got to be productive, be a leader and take ownership when things are going good and going bad. That’s part of it.”