True freshman Green cracks starting lineup
5-star tackle recruit from Atascocita lands at guard because he is just too good to sit
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M has its future starting left tackle on campus, but for now he is situated at right guard.
Kenyon Green, a five-star recruit and a true freshman from Atascocita, has made the Aggies’ starting lineup before playing a college game.
“He’s naturally physical, and he’s worked hard on his body,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “Sometimes freshmen don’t always get to play because of size and physicality, but God has blessed him and he’s taken advantage of it — and he’s a very intelligent young man.”
Green (6-4, 330), one of the nation’s top prospects in the class of 2019, projects as a tackle, but the Aggies return two starters in junior left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and junior right tackle Carson Green.
Only a year ago, Kenyon Green was preparing for a game against perennial state power Katy in the second week of the Texas high school football season. This year, he is gearing up to face reigning college national champion Clemson in the second week of the season after the Aggies open at home with Texas State on Thursday night.
The veterans playing alongside the newcomer insist that Green is up to the challenge.
“As a freshman, we’re all giving him props,” Carson Green said of Kenyon Green. “The guy is just an unbelievable athlete. He’s also very smart, and picking up the offense really fast. It’s a big thing being a freshman and having to play on the offensive line, and some of us had to do it our freshman year.
“It’s a little stressful at times, but he’s doing a fantastic job. I can’t wait to see him play.”
The color-coded (all Green) right side of the offensive line that will make its debut in less than a week has Fisher and others cracking wise.
“We love it, it’s ‘The Green Mile,’ ” Carson Green said with a grin. “Jimbo has a lot of jokes with the ‘Green guys’ over there.”
Junior Ryan McCollum, who was the MVP during spring practice, appeared to have center locked down entering camp but has struggled somewhat after having what Fisher dubbed minor injury in August, and Colton Prater has worked his way into starting contention.
McCollum and Prater are in a battle to replace Erik McCoy, who bypassed his senior season and now starts for the New Orleans Saints.
“It’s like having two starters, and we’re working Luke (Matthews) in in the background and Barton (Clement), too,” Fisher said.
Fisher said he appreciates versatility in a lineman because of the ability to mix and match to situations. On that front, McCollum and Prater can play center and can move over to play a spot in either direction.
“The good thing is either one of those guys could go play guard in two seconds, too,” he said. “We’re mixing them at center and guard to develop that inside depth.”
Prater started 12 games as a freshman, including 10 at guard and two at tackle, before an injury sidelined him for the Aggies’ Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State in 2016. He has started three games since but has made23 appearances over the last two seasons as a lineman who can be counted on to fill any gaps.
“Prater is like a pit bull dog, man,” Fisher said. “He just fights and scratches and claws. He’s quick and athletic and competes.”