A&M has key holes to fill in 2019, but some opponents may have it worse
“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” - Helen Keller
That quote was meant for deeper subjects than college football. Yet, it certainly applies when lamenting starters lost.
The Aggies, for example, recently have bewailed the subtractions from their roster. Senior departures are often painful, but what really hurts is the loss of four star players opting for early entry into the NFL draft.
Had center Erik McCoy, running back Trayveon Williams, tight end Jace Sternberger and linebacker Tyrel Dodson returned for their senior seasons, Texas A&M – which was second in the SEC West last season – could have challenged for the Southeastern Conference championship in 2019.
The Aggies might still prove to be championship contenders, especially when you consider what their 2019 opponents lost through early entry or eligibility completion. Indeed, it definitely could be worse. Take Ole Miss, which lost four starters to early entry as well as several prominent senior starters that include quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. This from a team that finished 5-7.
When considering what upcoming opponents have lost the Aggies’ situation might not look so bad. Here’s a look at what A&M’s 2019 “Power 5” opponents must replace.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
2018 record: 14-1
Eligibility completed: G Lester Cotton, C Ross Pierschbacher, TE Hale Hentges, RB Damien Harris, DE Isaiah Buggs, LB Christian Miller
Early entries: TE Irv Smith, T Jonah Williams, RB Josh Jacobs, CB Saivion Smith, S Deionte Thompson, NG Quinnen Williams, LB Mack Wilson.
Analysis: Alabama always has plenty of talent ready to restock, but that’s a lot of holes to fill for any program. Harris led the Tide in rushing. Jacobs led in rushing TDs. Smith, Jonah Williams and Piersbacher were All-SEC selections on offense. Quinnen Williams was a dominant force in the interior defensive line. Buggs led in sacks. Smith led in interceptions. Thompson was Alabama’s only All-SEC player in the secondary.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
2018 record: 2-10
Eligibility completed: G Hjalte Froholdt, G Johnny Gibson, T Brian Wallace, WR Jared Cornelius, DT Armon Watts, DE Randy Ramsey, LE Dre Greenlaw, FS Santos Ramirez
Early entry: CB Ryan Pulley
Analysis: Pulley was the Hogs best defensive back. He led them with seven passes broken up and three interceptions. Ramirez and Greenlaw was second and third in tackles. Watts led with seven sacks. Froholdt was the best offensive linemen.
AUBURN TIGERS
2018 record: 8-5
Eligibility completed: HB Chandler Cox, TE Tucker Brown, WR Ryan Davis, DT Dontavius Russell, LB Darrell Williams, LB Deshaun Davis, LB Montavious Atkinson.
Early entries: CB Jemel Dean, WR Darius Slayton, QB Jarrett Stidham
Analysis: Stidham’s departure likely leaves the Tigers offense in the hands of highly-touted true freshman Bo Nix. Clayton and Davis accounted for almost half of passes caught last season. Auburn has to replace all its linebackers. Davis led them in tackles. Dean had nine passes broken up. Auburn did get a big break with DT Marlon Davidson and DE Derrick Brown opting to return.
CLEMSON TIGERS
2018 record: 15-0
Eligibility completed: T Mitch Hyatt, C Justin Falcinelli, WR Hunter Renfrow, TE Milan Richards, DT Christian Wilkins, DE Austin Bryant, LB Kendall Joseph
Early entries: DE Clelin Ferrell, LB Tre Lamar, DT Dexter Lawrence, CB Trayvon Mullen
Analysis: With QB Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne and receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross returning, the national champions are absolutely loaded in the skill positions. However, Clemson must replace six of the front seven from its powerful defense. That obviously doesn’t include All-ACC CB Trayvon Mullen, who opted for early entry to the draft. Hyatt and Falcinelli were All-ACC selections and generally regarded as the Tigers’ top two offensive linemen.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
2018 record: 11-3
Completed eligibility: WR Terry Godwin, C Lamont Gaillard, LB Juwan Taylor, CB DeAndre Baker, DE Jonathan Ledbetter, LB D’Andre Walker
Early entries: TE Isaac Nauta, WR Riley Ridley, WR Mecole Hardman, RB Elijah Holyfield.
Analysis: The Bulldogs must replace four of their top five receivers. Holyfield rushed for more than 1,000 yards, but D’Andre Swift returns so the Bulldogs are fine at running back. The offensive line will be stacked, too. Walker led the team in sacks. Baker and Ledbetter were All-SEC selections. Georgia has talent on defense, but Baker and Ledbetter will be especially hard to replace.
LSU TIGERS
2018 record: 10-3
Completed eligibility: G Garrett Brumfield, TE Foster Moreau, RB Nick Brossette, FS John Battle.
Early entries: NT Ed Alexander, LB Devin White, CB Greedy Williams
Analysis: The Tigers won’t lose much on offense. Though Brossette rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, his production should be easily replaced. Moreau had 22 catches at tight end. No big loss there. Defense is a different story. White and Williams were All-Americans that project as first round draft choice. Ed Alexander was a solid nose tackle, too. However, LSU got a break with linebacker Michael Divinity and defensive end Rashard Lawrence opting to return for their senior seasons.
OLE MISS REBELS
2018 record: 5-7
Completed eligibility: WR DeMarkus Lodge, G Javon Patterson, C Sean Rawlings, QB Jordan Ta’amu, SS Zedrick Woods
Early entries: WR A.J. Brown, TE Dawson Knox, T Greg Little, WR D.K. Metcalf
Analysis: The Rebs’ passing game is ravaged with the loss of QB Ta’amu and the departure of their top three receivers. The offensive lien must replace three starters, most notably Little, a projected first round pick. The good news is the defense will return virtually intact. The bad news is said defense was last in the SEC in scoring defense, total defense and running defense. They were 13th in passing defense.
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
2018 record: 8-5
Completed eligibility: C Elgton Jenkins, G Deion Calhoun, QB Nick Fitzgerald, DE Montez Sweat, DT Braxton Hoyett, DE Geri Free, CB Jamal Peters, FS Mark McLaurin, SS Johnathan Abram
Early entry: DT Jeffery Simmons
Analysis: The loss of Nick Fitzgerald is significant, but he’s not really the type quarterback coach Joe Moorhead wants in his system, anyway. Excellent center Elgton Jenkins and All-SEC guard Deion Calhoun may be bigger losses. Of course, the most costly losses are the early departure of Jeffery Simmons and the graduation of defensive end Montez Sweat – both All-SEC selections. The Bulldogs must replace the entire front four, which was without question the strength of the team in 2018. Johnathan Abram’s departure is the most problematic subtraction in a secondary that must be overhauled.
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
2018 record: 7-6
Completed eligibility: WR Deebo Samuel, T Dennis Daley, G Zack Bailey, T Blake Camper, TE KC Crosby, CB Bryson Allen-Williams, CB Keisean Nixon, S Steven Montac, S J.T. Ive, CB Rashad Fenton
Early entry: none
Analysis: Without doubt, Deebo Samuel was the Gamecocks’ most explosive threat. Yet, the loss of three offensive linemen, including All-SEC guard Zack Bailey, may be more costly. The secondary must be rebuilt, but the linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams is the only loss in the front seven. The Gamecocks will need to upgrade a run defense that was ranked 13th in the SEC, though.