Fisher remains confident in tight ends after Green suffers torn ACL

Texas A&M sophomore tight end Donovan Green’s season has ended before it started, but the position seemingly remains strong.

Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher on Monday confirmed Green tore an anterior cruciate ligament during a scrimmage on Sunday.

Fisher expressed disappointment for Green, but also acknowledged the tight end position can still be an area of strength in the 2023 season, which begins on Sept. 2 against New Mexico.

“You hate losing Donovan,” Fisher said. “That’s a very experienced, really good player. You don’t want to lose anybody, but these guys here have really had good camps. We have good numbers, there.”

Last season as a true freshman Green led all A&M tight ends with 22 receptions for 233 yards. He caught touchdown passes against Alabama and LSU.

However, the Aggies can still turn to senior Max Wright and sophomore Jake Johnson, who was a Top 100 recruit a year ago.

“We held Max out of the scrimmage. He had a toe that was banged up,” Fisher said. “It’s healed up completely. He’ll be ready to go. Jake Johnson has had a really good camp.”

Fisher also pointed out redshirt freshmen Theo Melin Öhrström and Fernando Garza and true freshman Jaden Platt have looked good.

Öhrström, a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder from Sweden, caught eight passes in the scrimmage.

“He’s really starting to grow and emerge,” Fisher said.

A&M senior safety Demani Richardson echoed that thought.

“He’s (Öhrström) getting stronger,” Richardson said. "He’s already built like Thor. He’s getting stronger. He’s fast. He’s getting the playbook. He’s learning more and more every day.”

Richardson also expressed confidence in the tight end position even without Green.

“Jake Johnson and Max Wright … you can always count on those guys,” Richardson said. “Max Wright is a great blocker and getting better every day running routes and catching the ball.

“Jake Johnson is really great route runner. He and (quarterback) Max Johnson always have that connection. They’re doing a great job.”

Except for Green’s injury, Fisher said the Aggies’ have otherwise remained healthy during August camp.

“I think the health of the team is really good,’’ he said. “We’ve had a really good camp. They’ve had a few nicks and knacks. We’ll miss a day here, miss a practice there but we’re really healthy. Probably as healthy as we’ve been on any team I’ve had in a long, long time.”

Special teams draw praise

Fisher said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from the kicking game.

“Right now I’m pleased with our snappers (Jacob Graham, Connor Able, Levi Hancock, Garrett Townsend),” he said. “We’ve been snapping the ball extremely well.

“Our kickers are hitting the balls. The punting game is going really well. I’ve been really pleased with our specialists, I really have.”

A&M returns punter Nik Constantinou and kicker Randy Bond.

Ainias Smith figures to return punts, though Fisher mentioned Moose Muhammad and Bryce Anderson could, too.

Le’Veon Moss was mentioned among a group of younger players who could return kickoffs.

“We have guys I think are very dynamic with the ball and can make some plays,” Fisher said.

NOTES:

• Fisher praised the offensive  and defensive line for physical play in the scrimmage. He was especially complimentary of 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover: “I’m telling you about Crownover. He’s playing really good football. And that is a big human being. Athletic and Smart.”
• Fisher also lauded freshman tackle Chase Bisontis, freshman guard T.J. Shanahan and sophomore guard/center Mark Nabou.
• Junior tackle Reuben Fatheree, has been slowed by an injury, but is expected back in practice soon.
• Fisher praised several defensive linemen, including true freshman DJ Hicks. However, he seemed particularly impressed with sophomore defensive end Malick Sylla: “He’s really putting on that size. He’s long, he can run, he can change direction. He and (sophomore end) Enai White are guys that are emerging in that role.”
• Freshman defensive backs Jayvon Thomas, Dalton Brooks and Bravion Rogers also have caught the coach’s attention for their physical play. “That whole group can play and will help us,” Fisher said.
• A&M was picked 23rd in the Associated Press Preseason Poll, which was released on Monday. Last week the Aggies were picked 25th in the coaches poll.