Fisher bullish on making sure A&M removes doubt to ‘get in’
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher hopes the Aggies’ postseason destination is not up for debate this December.
“We need to take the doubt out of the equation and make sure we get in,” Fisher said.
“In” means into the four-team College Football Playoff, which the 9-1 Aggies narrowly missed in Fisher’s third season. The former Florida State coach won a national title in his fourth season with the Seminoles, and the expectations at A&M have never been greater as he enters his fourth season with the Aggies.
Once the grass blades settled from the CFP and bowls, the Aggies finished No. 4, their highest final ranking since they won the national title in 1939.
“We’re developing a heck of a program, and we’ve got great young players,” Fisher said of the Aggies’ future, both immediate and longterm. “We feel like we’re going to be able to compete at that level from here on out. I really believe that.”
Fisher, 55, has reason for short-term optimism based on a handful of semi-surprising returns from seniors, mostly on defense. The NCAA allowed an extra year of eligibility for players in 2020 because of the unknowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defensive tackle Jayden Peevy is back for one more round, and so is cornerback Myles Jones, and each on social media dubbed his return “unfinished business.” Linebacker Aaron Hansford, after mulling turning pro, also chose to keep learning the position after playing receiver and tight end early in his A&M career.
“It benefits us, definitely, and I think it will benefit him,” Fisher said of Hansford’s return. “Because of his knowledge and ability to be ready when he goes to the next level.”
Fisher pointed out that Hansford, who finished second on the defense with 49 tackles, can play inside or outside linebacker, fluidly drops into coverage when needed and excels at harassing quarterbacks when called upon to rush. His return softens the exit of fellow senior Buddy Johnson, the 2020 defense’s leader who will try his hand at the NFL.
Standout junior defensive lineman Bobby Brown III also declared for the NFL draft, and he revealed on social media part of the reason is to help pay medical bills for his mother.
“If you have ever met my mom, then you know without her there is no me,” wrote Brown, adding that his mother is fighting “brain illnesses and her daily life is a constant struggle.”
Brown, who led the defense with 5½ sacks, is the Aggies’ biggest loss among non-seniors, although the defensive line should again be solid with Peevy, Tyree Johnson, McKinnley Jackson and potential All-American DeMarvin Leal taking on SEC offensive lines.
Hansford will man one of the linebacker slots, while Andre White, who had an interception, eight tackles and half a sack in the Aggies’ 41-27 victory over North Carolina in the Orange Bowl, perhaps will earn first shot at replacing Buddy Johnson.
A&M is deep and talented in the secondary, with Jones & Jones (Myles and Jaylon) running the show at cornerback, Elijah Blades offering solid depth at the position, and starting safeties Demani Richardson and Leon O’Neal loaded with experience.
“The secondary is about matchups,” Fisher said of finding players who can seamlessly shift from corner to safety to nickel back if need be. “Secondary (players) have almost become position-less, kind of like basketball is to a point. You have to be able to match things up.”
The A&M defense, which finished ninth nationally overall (317 yards per game) under third-year coordinator Mike Elko, is scheduled to return nine starters.
The other side of the ball is another story, considering senior quarterback Kellen Mond is off to the NFL and four of the five starting offensive linemen likely intend to give the next level a shot.
Kenyon Green, the line’s top performer in 2020, is back for a third season, and while he played guard his first two years, chances are he will man one of the tackle slots vacated by Dan Moore Jr. and perhaps Carson Green, although the latter has yet to announce his plan.
“Kenyon can play center, he can play guard, and he can play tackle,” Fisher said of the former Atascocita standout. “Wherever he needs to be, we’ll put him, and he loves every bit of it.”
Inexperienced but promising options are many on the offensive line, but look for Layden Robinson and Blake Trainor to be among the top candidates to line up alongside Kenyon Green for starters.
Jalen Wydermyer returns at tight end, and Baylor Cupp should be back from injury at the position. Cam Buckley and Caleb Chapman are expected back from injuries at receiver, while Chase Lane, Hezekiah Jones and Jalen Preston all should earn plenty of chances to impress in the spring and summer.
Freshmen Zach Calzada and Haynes King and early enrollee Eli Stowers of Denton Guyer all should earn long looks in the spring and summer at taking over for Mond at quarterback. King replaced Mond late in a couple of games in 2020, but Fisher has said not to consider that a certainty of things to come.
“There are three outstanding guys (competing) that we feel very confident in,” Fisher said. “We’re very blessed.”