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Texas A&M Football

Aggies could feature some new faces following extra week of practices

October 26, 2020
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A time change comes this weekend. Maybe changes in Texas A&M’s starting lineup will, too.

A bye week is often used to get recovered, younger or inexperienced football players ready for the next game.

Texas A&M is coming off a bye week. Therefore, the time might be right for changes when the No. 8 Aggies face Arkansas on Saturday night at Kyle Field.

In a Monday press conference, Jimbo Fisher said that no changes had been made but did not rule out the possibility.

“I’m not trying to go out and replace anybody, but at the same time, our game plans and what goes on, and with the help of our individuals each and every day, it can happen.”
- A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher

“You never know how practices go, and what a guy does each and every week,” Fisher said. “And how the game plan materializes. If there’s a matchup from a guy we think can be put in the game to help us. I’m never going to say never. I’m not trying to go out and replace anybody.

“At the same time, our game plans and what goes on, and with the help of our individuals each and every day, it can happen.”

The 3-1 Aggies had posted consecutive impressive wins over Florida and Mississippi State before the bye week, so there isn’t a need to make too many changes.

However, it would seem possible that changes could be made at safety and receiver.

Junior safety Leon O’Neal has had ups and downs thus far. Meanwhile, freshman Antonio Johnson and sophomore Brian Williams played well in brief appearances in a 28-14 victory over Mississippi State.

Johnson had four tackles. Williams had four tackles, including a sack.

“I think those guys — the more they play, the more they get on the field — they’re going to create different roles,” Fisher said. “That’s two guys, I thought, played an excellent football game. They are going to have to help us in the future because they’re very good football players in a lot of different ways.”

There could also be possible changes at receiver. Chase Lane and Ainias Smith were the only receivers to catch any passes against Mississippi State.

Excluding Caleb Chapman, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in a 41-38 victory over Florida, Jalen Preston and Kam Brown are the only other receivers to catch passes this season.

Preston has six catches for 66 yards. Brown has five catches for 55 yards.

Tyler Zander, TexAgs
Jones caught 15 balls for 134 yards in 2019.

Quarterback Kellen Mond indicated that junior Hezekiah Jones has recovered from an undisclosed injury. Perhaps he’ll appear in the starting lineup.

“We should get Hezekiah Jones back this week,” Mond said. “Also, (we’ll) start getting some of these younger guys going. Having Hezekiah Jones back and giving some guys a breather and adding more depth to that receiver room and play-making ability is going to be big for us.”

Mond also said heralded true freshman receiver Demond Demas and redshirt freshman Dylan Wright also made strides in the open week.

“You’ve seen some guys grow up, I think, during the bye week,” Mond said. “Demond Demas, I thought, had a really, really good bye week. Dylan Wright had a really good bye week. Some of those other guys, too.”

Discussion from...

Aggies could feature some new faces following extra week of practices

16,553 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by fav13andac1)c
childrs
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Is Bobby Brown playing or is he still injured from Florida game?
pete85
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AG
Both him and Spiller should be good to go.
saturn135
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Sounds like maybe Demas "growing up" by sitting and watching instead of trying to be flashy with his backflips and touchdown celebrations. I have no doubt he is a good player but sometimes alittle humbling goes a long way. Just my opinion.
Snap E Tom
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What? Where did Olin get this idea at all? Straight from Jimbo:

"I'm not trying to go out and replace anybody"

The rest of it was coachspeak about how there's no guarantees, promises, schemes, etc.
Lamurphy
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AG
Don't forget Ryan Renick, who caught a touchdown pass in the Alabama game!
northeastag
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AG
Those quotes from Mond sound like quotes from a leader and one who is fully in charge of the offense.
halfastros81
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AG
I am glad to hear this. Unleash the Krakens! Excited to see a little of the future now.

I have also been wondering about Hez Jones.
SEC Champs
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AG
Snap E Tom said:

What? Where did Olin get this idea at all? Straight from Jimbo:

"I'm not trying to go out and replace anybody"

The rest of it was coachspeak about how there's no guarantees, promises, schemes, etc.

This is the news we we're looking for! Who cares if it's true?!
jsmc71
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AG
I thought Jimbo fielded the question about changes after a bye week about as well as he could have. I'm also hoping Young's progress allows him to play and at a level where he's an improvement.
Meanmachine
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AG
Antonio Johnson looked and played the way we need our safeties to play near the LOS. Not sure if he can be a deep safety but it is a position that needs improved play.
Jarrin' Jay
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AG
We need more people catching the ball, period.

Any S that can keep his cool and not make the same mistakes repeatedly as #9 is an upgrade...
fav13andac1)c
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AG
This. Serious reach by TexAgs.
fav13andac1)c
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AG
That's a more serious reach than this article.

You don't even know who this guy is, not to mention the gall it takes to speculate on something you know NOTHING about.
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