A&M may have big find at defensive end

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin keeps getting the question this summer: Who’s going to replace Myles Garrett?

The answer is simple, Sumlin told about 400 fans Sunday night at the annual Houston A&M Club Coach’s Night in NRG Center.

“You don’t replace Myles Garrett,” Sumlin said of the former A&M defensive end and No. 1 NFL draft selection in April to the Cleveland Browns.

But Sumlin likes the looks of one guy who plans to try: junior-college transfer Micheal Clemons (6-5, 240), nicknamed “Cyclops” will compete for playing time with veterans Qualen Cunningham and Jarrett Johnson.

“He’s there (at A&M) working like crazy,” Sumlin said of one of the nation’s top junior-college prospects in the class of 2017. “The best thing about him is we gave him some extra-large shorts, and they looked like the kind that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson used to wear. I’m anxious to get him on the field.”

In other words, the extra-larges looked small on the hardy Clemons, who has big cleats to fill not only with the loss of Garrett, but fellow end Daeshon Hall to the NFL.

The Aggies, who report for camp Aug. 3, open their season Sept. 3 at UCLA in a nationally televised Sunday night showdown.

Orlando lauds Applewhite

Former University of Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, who was a candidate for the UH job, said he has no doubt Major Applewhite “will do an unbelievable job.”

“The benchmark has been set, and he understands that,” said Orlando, who joined Tom Herman’s staff at Texas as defensive coordinator.

Under Herman, the Cougars had a two-year run that produced 22 wins. That included a 15-0 mark in home games.

“We didn’t lose a game in this city, that’s pretty special,” Orlando said at the Texas High School Coaches Association convention.

Sumlin: UH has a gem in Allen

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said he expects a smooth transition for his former quarterback, Kyle Allen, who is considered the front-runner to take over the UH job when camp opens July 31.

“Kyle will be fine,” Sumlin said at the Texas High School Coaches Association convention. “He’s a really good player.”

Allen had to sit out last year after transferring from A&M. In two seasons, Allen threw for more than 3,500 yards and 33 touchdowns.

“I think sitting out a year gives you an opportunity to really reflect on who you are and what you are doing,” Sumlin said.