Aggies could feature some new faces following extra week of practices
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.
“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.
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.”
