The Texas A&M Aggies are in a period of transition. They saw 25 scholarship players enter the transfer portal after their underwhelming season. However, their issue will revolve more around the depth of the roster than the top-end talent. That means there are still plenty of potential NFL Draft talent to go around.
Texas A&M Aggies Roster and Depth Chart Changes
There were many changes to the Aggies’ roster this offseason because of the transfer portal, but most of the starters remained in College Station. But the modern college ecosystem allows transfers to go both ways practically a will. Jimbo Fisher and the rest of the Texas A&M staff finally took advantage of the portal themselves.
Texas A&M Aggies NFL Draft Prospects
McKinnley Jackson, DT
While watching the defensive backs on the Aggies’ roster who were draft-eligible, McKinnley Jackson was the one player who constantly caught my eye. Jackson was once the top-rated high school player in the state of Mississippi and a consensus four-star recruit. He was elected a captain as a junior and started in seven games.
Jackson won the team’s defensive MVP and leadership awards, and it was clear that the team’s run defense took a hit when he wasn’t present on the field. While his skill set likely sees his absolute ceiling fall on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, if Jackson can continue to show improvement against the run, he could be a decade-long NFL starter.
Tony Grimes, CB
Aggie land can probably be most excited about Tony Grimes when it comes to potentially having a first-round defender. Grimes has all the physical tools required to be a lockdown cover corner at 6’0″, 190 pounds. He was a heavily recruited four-to-five-star player out of high school before choosing North Carolina, and a solid season against SEC WRs could skyrocket Grimes’ draft stock.
Bryce Foster, C
Bryce Foster is a junior who landed on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List. He’s apparently quite the workout warrior, and that weight-room athleticism clearly translates to the field.
At nearly 330 pounds, Foster looks more like a guard than a center, but you wouldn’t know by watching him gracefully move. However, he missed most of the 2022 season with a knee injury, which could also put a damper on his potential draft stock.
Layden Robinson, G
Layden Robinson is one of the few Texas A&M OL that remained healthy in 2022, but the lack of continuity along the line made for an unimpressive season for a guard with a very, very high ceiling.
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Robinson possesses an imposing frame and excellent grip strength. When things are squared away technically, he’s about as rock solid as interior blockers come. However, he must maintain better consistency if he wants to ensure he’s selected.
Reuben Fatheree II, OT
If the center-to-right tackle combination can remain healthy, the Aggies could have quite a group on their hands. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Reuben Fatheree II is a behemoth on the right side.
He’s not as nimble or fleet-footed as the top tackles in a given draft class tend to be, but Fatheree does possess an excellent understanding of angles, and his reach allows him a fantastic buffer. However, Fatheree must work on conditioning and consistency because he has a tendency to lose leverage and allow speed to win as he tires.
Shemar Turner, DL
Strength and length. That’s the first thing one should notice as they watch Shemar Turner. The “tweener” DE/DT really isn’t. As more NFL teams take from college offenses and defenses, the rise of the TITE front has come with it.
Turner is the perfect fit as a 4i or 5-technique who could shift down inside as a pass rusher on third downs. He’s not quick enough to be a consistent threat up the arc, but with a bit of technical sharpening, he could be a devastating power rusher that could sniff the top 100.
Other Notable Names
- Edgerrin Cooper, LB
- Josh DeBerry, CB
- Fadil Diggs, EDGE
- Moose Muhammad III, WR
- Demani Richardson, S
- Chris Russell Jr., LB
- Ainias Smith, WR
- Tyreek Chappell, CB
- Aki Ogunbiyi, G
Texas A&M Aggies Schedule
- Week 1
Sept. 2 vs. New Mexico Lobos - Week 2
Sept. 9 at Miami Hurricanes - Week 3
Sept. 16 vs. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks - Week 4
Sept. 23 vs. Auburn Tigers - Week 5
Sept. 30 at Arkansas Razorbacks - Week 6
Oct. 7 vs. Alabama Crimson Tide - Week 7
Oct. 14 at Tennessee Volunteers - Week 8
BYE - Week 9
Oct. 28 vs. South Carolina Gamecocks - Week 10
Nov. 4 at Ole Miss Rebels - Week 11
Nov. 11 vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs - Week 12
Nov. 18 vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats - Week 13
Nov. 25 at LSU Tigers - Week 14
BYE - Week 15
BYE
