Veteran leadership, work ethic have Fisher bullish about 2020 Aggies
Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher is just like most Aggies.
And not just because he wears blue jeans, hunts, fishes and chews tobacco. Like most Aggies, Fisher is a little more optimistic and bullish about the prospects for the 2020 football season.
Speaking Saturday on a Zoom press conference, Fisher praised this year’s team for a sense of urgency, its enthusiasm, its attitude and overall speed.
“(There’s) a little bit more urgency. I don’t mean that in a negative way,” Fisher said. “We have a more veteran football team. Older players. More seniors. I think there’s leadership with quality and quantity. Many more guys understanding what to do and how to do it and the things they want to do. They’ve made a huge impact on the younger guys as much as anything.”
“It’s early. I like this football team. The attitude of it and the work ethic. The enthusiasm at practice. The tempo at practice. It’s from the old(er) guys. And the new guys have brought some juice to this thing, too. They like playing ball. They’ve energized. And the old guys are playing energized. Their personalities have mixed very well.”
With 17 starters returning from the team that went 8-5 in 2019 and an influx of talent from a top ten ranked recruiting class, many national observers believe A&M could legitimately contend for the Southeastern Conference championship this season.
Fisher indicated he’s seen growth from the veterans and promising signs from the newcomers. He offered a quick rundown by various positions and gave glowing reports.
“I think our quarterback (Kellen Mond) has done a good job,” he said. “Ainias (Smith) and Isaiah Spiller at running back, having those two guys with those young guys (incoming freshmen) have done a solid job.
“Our secondary guys, I like some of that stuff that’s going on. Defensive line, offensive line some continuity and calls and things of that nature and knowing what to do. There is nobody that I am disappointed in, but there’s a ton of work to do.
“I think we’re faster. I think we’re running much better as a team. I think we’re bigger. Hopefully, we can play better.”
Fisher went on to praise the effort and potential of several players, including tight end Baylor Cupp, who missed all of last season after fracturing an ankle in August camp.
“His ankle has had no problems at all,” Fisher said. “And if it did he wouldn’t tell you. That is one tough son of a gun, now.
“He’s competitive. He’s got great heart. I have a ton of respect about how he goes about his game in season and off season. He plays very hard. If he makes a mistake, there’s a genuineness to it that he let you down as a coach and he feels bad because you were counting on him. He is wired right. Does right. He has a lot of ability and is working hard.”
Fisher also said he expected senior defensive tackle Jayden Peevy to have a “great year.” He complimented the progress shown by senior cornerback Myles Jones. He spoke about the possibilities at running back with Spiller, Smith and freshman speedster Devon Achane.
The Aggie boss also raved about senior receiver Jhamon Ausbon and sophomore defensive end DeMarvin Leal.
Ausbon led A&M with 66 catches for 872 yards and had five touchdown grabs in 2019. He trained in the off-season with the goal of becoming more of a big-play threat.
Fisher said Ausbon appears on track to attain that goal.
“What I see out of (Ausbon) with his body change is I see a more explosive guy,” he said. "He gets in and out of his cuts better. Vertical speed seems to be better. Just another step of quickness, in my opinion, and still as strong. His body is hard. He has power.”
The coach was just as high on Leal, who is projected to have a breakout season. A five-star prospect in 2019, Leal was slowed by injury early in his freshman campaign.
However, he came on strong in the second part of the season to post 38 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. He only had two sacks but was credited with five quarterback hurries.
“When he’s on that field, I don’t ever see him loaf one second,” Fisher said. “I don’t care what drill it is, what we do, how we do it. Those guys change cultures of an organization because they’re great players, highly recruited who play like they have no ability in their effort and toughness.
“He has an unbelievable competitive edge, he learns extremely well, he’s a great teammate and he has all the size, speed and features to execute and play well. God’s blessed him with a great body and tremendous skill set. He’s a very intelligent guy who processes information extremely well."
