Others expected to hold the O-line
COLLEGE STATION —
When exiting
Texas A&M offensive lineman
Ryan McCollum crossed paths this winter with incoming lineman Bryce Foster, McCollum responded with an act more important than merely passing the proverbial torch: He handed out his digits.
“I know that offense really well,” McCollum told Foster with a grin while giving him his phone number, “so if you have any questions, just reach out.”
McCollum, a former Klein Oak High standout, and three other departing senior starters on a bullish offensive line played a big role in leaving a memorable mark on the program: a No. 4 finish in the Associated Press poll, the Aggies’ highest final ranking since they won the national title in 1939.
“We just wish we could have finished higher, honestly,” McCollum said of his team which just missed a spot in the College Football Playoff. “We’ve worked our way steadily up and have earned respect, and coach ( Jimbo) Fisher calls it earning a seat at the big-boy table. That’s what we’ve done moving forward, and we’ve established a culture of winning.”
The Aggies return nine starters on defense and are deeper on that side of the ball than they’ve been in two decades. Replacing four-year starting quarterback Kellen Mond and four of five starters on the offensive line are the two biggest questions facing Fisher in his fourth season.
McCollum, who’s preparing for this spring’s NFL draft, said fans should feel good about the road ahead for a revamped front under third-year offensive line coach Josh Henson.
“Coach Henson will get those guys lined up,” McCollum said, “and you won’t see a drop-off this year.”
Fisher and Henson must replace McCollum at center, starting tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Carson Green and right guard Jared Hocker. Left guard Kenyon Green (6-4, 325) is the lone returning starter and can play all five positions. Kenyon Green, who will be a junior, was named firstteam All-American from Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America following the season.
“You’ve got to have tough guys upfront and smart guys upfront,” Fisher said of the former Atascocita High standout. “It helps when you’re both, and Kenyon’s a very self-motivated guy. … He’ll go down as one of the best we’ve had here.”
McCollum and others in the know vow Luke Matthews (6-4, 320), son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews of the Oilers and an Elkins High grad, should be next in line at center as a junior. Three of Luke Matthews’ older brothers — Kevin, Jake and Mike — also played on the A&M offensive line under previous coaches.
“When I went down in fall camp with an ankle sprain, Luke stepped up and was just balling in my place,” McCollum recalled of last preseason. “Then he hurt his shoulder, so that was a tough loss for us.”
Sophomore-to-be Layden Robinson (6-4, 325) of Manvel High excelled at guard in place of a dinged-up Hocker late in the season, and McCollum predicts the three no-doubt starters on the rebuilt line in 2021 are Kenyon Green, Matthews and Robinson.
“Luke is center, and Layden would probably stay inside,” McCollum observed of Robinson sticking at one of the guard slots. “Kenyon is such a great athlete, I could see him sliding outside (to tackle), or he could stay inside if a couple of the other guys step up at tackle.
“Two out of the five positions are up for the taking, and I’m excited to see who gets after it.”
The line has received a boost, too, with the anticipated transfer of Jahmir Johnson (6-5, 300) from Tennessee. Johnson will be an A&M graduate student starting this summer and eligible to contribute immediately.
A potential starting five is Kenyon Green at left tackle, Robinson at left guard, Matthews at center, redshirt freshman Aki Ogunbiyi (6-4, 325) of Kempner High at right guard and Johnson at right tackle. McCollum added to keep an eye on rangy sophomore-to-be Blake Trainor (6-7, 325) at tackle, as well.
“Blake is a big dude who can move and is athletic,” McCollum said. “He’ll compete for a spot. There are a lot of guys to choose from.”
That wide-ranging group includes newcomers Foster (6-4, 330) of Katy Taylor High and Reuben Fatheree (6-8, 305) of Foster High, along with four other offensive linemen in the class of 2021 (with the transfer Johnson part of the class).
“What I love about these linemen is they have length and mass, so they can play inside or outside,” Fisher said of his slew of signees. “You never know where you’re going to need guys.”