TIME TO SHINE FOR NEW BOSS
COLLEGE STATION — Here’s a twist on things at a traditional “football” school: Texas A&M’s success in basketball on both the men’s and women’s sides has prompted the start of spring football to sneak up on fans.
Regardless, the Jimbo Fisher era at A&M begins in earnest Tuesday with the first day of spring drills, and there’s plenty to ponder over the next month. Fisher owns a reputation as being tougher on his teams than Kevin Sumlin, who often seemed more like a buddy with his players than their boss. Multiple players upon their A&M exits have cited the “culture” around the program needing strengthening. That’s where Fisher comes in, and expect some attrition along the way as things supposedly toughen up.
Here’s a look at five things to watch leading up to the spring game April 14:
Quarterback battle
1Nick Starkel threw for 499 yards in the Aggies’ bowl loss to Wake Forest, but fellow sophomore Kellen Mond will be given every opportunity to win the starting job this spring and summer. Starkel already had a (redshirt) year in the program prior to Mond’s arrival last year, meaning Mond might have improved plenty over the past few months.
Starkel is more of a pure passer; Mond occasionally relies on his legs. So which one is a better fit in Fisher’s offense? The answer is the one Fisher believes gives the Aggies the best chance of winning.
Who’s going to fill those cleats?
2Specifically, those of receiver Christian Kirk, who bypassed his senior season for the NFL draft next month. Kirk’s leadership and the example he set are nearly impossible to replace, but what about at the position itself ?
Jhamon Ausbon is the Aggies’ top returning receiver, and he’s big and physical, but fellow sophomores Roshauud Paul and Camron Buckley might be primed for breakout seasons with Kirk off to the NFL.
Schmidt’s impact
3Fisher coaxed longtime Oklahoma strength coach Jerry Schmidt from Norman, Okla., and Fisher said the impact has been immediate. It’s a college football tradition to claim the new strength coach is making all the difference, but the Aggies swear it’s true this time. Schmidt’s OU résumé speaks for itself, too.
Coordinating the defense
4Kevin Sumlin thought he had nabbed his defensive savior when he hired John Chavis from LSU. He did not, a big reason why Sumlin is now the former coach. Fisher hired Mike Elko from Notre Dame with the same idea, and Elko says all the right things about bringing back the “Wrecking Crew.” That starts in the spring, and he has eight returning starters to work with.
Special teams
5The Aggies lose punter Shane Tripucka, who also was the team’s steady holder. Kirk was reliable as a returner, so the Aggies will hold plenty of auditions this spring. Ausbon, Buckley and Paul, among others, will earn chances to replace Kirk in that regard, as well.