Click here to view Texas A&M’s Tuesday press conference.
Moving isn’t a problem for Texas A&M offensive lineman Wilkin Formby.
After all, he moved on from Alabama via the transfer portal to play right tackle for the Aggies.
But last week vs. LSU, A&M football coach Mike Elko opted for a game of offensive line Yahtzee. To get the best combination of five linemen on the field, Formby shifted from right tackle to right guard.
Consequently, redshirt freshman Lamont Rogers started at right tackle, and Trovon Baugh moved from right guard to left guard.
“That was also a big part of me being able to play guard because (Rogers is) doing a good job,” Formby said on Tuesday. “So, trying to find a way to get the best five guys on the field, whatever that looks like.”
When asked to move, the 6-foot-7, 320-pound Formby didn’t protest or hesitate. It actually made sense because Formby played some guard while at Alabama.
“My coaches kind of just saw a need for me to play guard, and that was the best for our team,” Formby said. “So, I’m obviously going to be very cooperative and supportive of their decision.
“I want to win. That’s what I came here for … to get developed and win games. I’m not a selfish player. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
It’s going to take a lot for A&M to start winning. The Aggies (2-2, 0-2) hope to break a two-game Southeastern Conference losing streak when they face Arkansas on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kyle Field.
Better offensive line play is certainly on the list of that need to improve.
Pass protection has been problematic. Quarterback Marcel Reed was sacked nine times. The running game has been spotty.
However, the run blocking has shown signs of improvement. The Aggies rushed for 187 yards in their loss to Kentucky. And though A&M was limited to 91 rushing yards by LSU, running backs Rueben Owens II and KJ Edwards averaged more than five yards per carry.
“I think we’re starting to form more of an identity and just trying to establish more dominance in the run and trying to be able to have the offense lean on us a little more to be able to run the ball,” Formby said. “Also, (we’re) just trying to firm up our protection and give Marcel as much time as he needs.”
Accomplishing that, Formby said, requires the line to focus on physicality, staying on blocks longer and just developing more cohesion and improving each week.
“We’re just trying to figure out what we can do,” he said. “Our one-on-one and then our five-on-five. What we can do in our room to be the best and hold ourselves to a high standard.
“I think, as the season’s going on, we’re just going to continue to get more confident up front, keep developing our skill set, and we’re gonna continue to see more success up front.”
They’re obviously hoping to see more success this weekend against Arkansas.
“Saturday rolls around so quick, there’s not much time to sit back and pout,” Formby said. “I’m more like, ‘We’ve got a really good team coming here to try to kick our butt.’
“We’ve gotta prepare the right way.”
Whether that's at right tackle or right guard.
