Despite key losses, Carson Green looking to make A&M offensive line position of strength

Compared to last fall, next football season should be easy for Texas A&M junior tackles Carson Green and Dan Moore.

Well, easy might be a stretch. The Aggies still reside in the Southeastern Conference, of course. But easier certainly is a possibility.

Last season A&M’s offensive line in general — and tackles in particular — faced almost a parade of elite pass rushers nearly on a weekly basis.

Eight opposing teams ranked among the nation’s top 32 in sacks.  Five individuals — Kentucky’s Josh Allen, Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell, UAB’s Jamell Garcia-Williams and Alabama’s Isaiah Buggs — were all among the nation’s Top 20 individuals in sacks.

They’re also all headed to the NFL, which means Green and Moore don’t have to face them again.

“After the season me and Dan Moore were like ‘hey, they were pretty good.’ We told everybody they were pretty good,” Green said after A&M’s spring practice session on Wednesday night. “ I think about half of them are going (in the) first round this year.”

Of that group, ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay only rated Allen, Sweat and Ferrell as first round picks.

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Full-time starters Green, Hocker and Moore are looking to make strides in year two under Fisher. 

However, they also projected Alabama’s Quinnen Williams, Clemson’s Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence and Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons as first round selections.

Of course, A&M faced them, too.

After a gauntlet of elite rushers like that Green and Moore should be ready for whatever comes at them the rest of their careers.

“It definitely prepared us,” Green said. “Those guys are all leaving.  There could be (others) guys just as good, but we faced them. We know their speed. We know what to expect.”

The Aggies expect to be efficient — if not excellent — on the offensive line next season.

Coach Jimbo Fisher appeared agitated when asked about the offensive line earlier this week and offered a reminder that line helped A&M rank 15th in the nation in total offense. It also propelled running back Trayveon Williams to an A&M single-season rushing record.

Green, Moore and guard Jared Hocker return as full-time starters. Junior Ryan McCollum, who made seven starts at guard, figures to shift to center to replace standout Erik McCoy.

That likely leaves redshirt freshmen Tank Jenkins and Luke Matthews — and later perhaps celebrated true freshman Kenyon Green — vying for the starting job at the remaining guard spot.

Even without McCoy and four-year starter Keaton Sutherland, Carson Green is convinced A&M’s offensive line will be exceptional by the time the Aggies open the season against Texas State on August 29.

“Sure, we’re losing two solid veterans. Erik has a chance to go in the first round. Keaton is going to get drafted pretty high, probably, too,” Green said. "They had a lot of game experience and they helped us on the O-line as leaders.”

“So, now it’s our turn for us three to step it up. We have Jared Hocker coming back, too, so that’s four guys with a lot of playing time. It’s just someone else has to step up as a young guy and take that role.”

Green said there are several reasons to anticipate an improved A&M line.

First, he’s personally made mental and physical strides.

“I’ve a lot more experience,” he said. I feel like I’m a lot bigger and stronger, too. Mainly, the speed of the game is definitely slowing down for me.”

Secondly, everybody is more comfortable and confident in the second year of Fisher’s system and playbook.

“Last year was just ‘Here’s just a big binder and learn it all’. It was coming at you real fast,” Green said. “Now, it’s like we’re working on the details. (Fisher’s)  main thing is we’re going to execute perfectly for a perfect play every time. He said that’s champions right there. That’s what we’re trying to get to.”

Thirdly, they’re getting input and different ideas from new Offensive Line coach Josh Henson.

“Mainly, he’s teaching us new technique,” Green said. “New ways… maybe jump set instead of going all the way back on a deep set. Trying to play with their (opposition) minds like they play with ours. Take a different approach to every play.”

There’s a fourth reason for optimism, although Green didn’t actually say it.

The quantity and quality of opposing pass rushers doesn't figure to be as daunting.