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Texas A&M Aggies

SEC rank: 6

2014 Record: 8-5 SEC record: 3-5 (6th, West)

Stadium: Kyle Field (102,512)

LOCATION: College Station, Texas

COACH: Kevin Sumlin — At Texas A&M: 28-11, 3 years; overall: 63-28, 7 years

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jake Spavital

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Chavis

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998, Big 12

LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2008

RETURNING STARTERS: 13; 6 offense, 6 defense, punter

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kyle Allen, WR Josh Reynolds, WR Speedy Noil, C Mike Matthews, DE Myles Garrett, DE Daeshon Hall, CB De’Vante Harris, S Armani Watts

PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Allen had a solid freshman campaign and he has one of the best receiving corps in the country. Matthews is back for his third year at center. Garrett anchors the defensive line, which has a combination of depth, athleticism and experience missing in recent years. The secondary should be much better as they adapt to a more-aggressive style under Chavis.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The offensive line was in flux during the spring due to injury and personnel losses, and that needs sorting out in camp. The run game is different, and it will involve Allen running the zone read. The linebacker corps was ravaged by injury in the spring. Place-kicking could be troublesome.

OFFENSE

Head coach Kevin Sumlin brought in offensive line coach/run game coordinator Dave Christensen to install a more physical approach up front.

Christensen’s attempt to improve the offensive line was hampered in the spring by the absence of center Mike Matthews due to injury. Junior college transfer Avery Gennesy and returning right tackle Germain Ifedi battled for the left tackle spot; Gennesy appears to have won it for now.

Running backs James White, Brandon Williams and Tra Carson expect to split carries. Carson and White are the thunder; Williams is the lightning.

The receiving corps is one of the best in the nation. The Aggies return All-SEC junior Josh Reynolds (13 touchdowns) and long distance threat Speedy Noil. Early enrollee Christian Kirk will contribute in the slot after a great first spring. Ricky Seals-Jones remains a big target at the Y, and freshman Jordan Davis’ size and receiving abilities make him the favorite at H-back.

Sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen worked on learning to run the zone read in the spring, becoming more of a leader. The big thing for Allen is to keep getting better, because there is a potential fall duel with incoming five-star freshman Kyler Murray.

DEFENSE

Former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis replaced the read-and-react scheme of Mark Snyder with an attacking, in-your-face brand of football.

The unit is led by sophomore Myles Garrett (11.5 sacks), who might well be the country’s premier rush end. Chavis moved 265-pound veteran end Julien Obioha inside, but Obioha could be moved back outside depending on the development of five-star freshman Daylon Mack in the middle.

Senior De’Vante Harris had an excellent spring at corner, and junior college transfer Justin Evans and returning free safety Armani Watts have sufficient size and range to be factors in the run game.

The linebacker corps missed veterans A.J. Hilliard, Josh Walker, Otaro Alaka and Shaan Washington in the spring. Their ability to stay healthy could be the key to whether or not the Aggies have a great defense… or merely an improved one.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Drew Kaser has a big leg, averaging more than 44 yards per attempt in each of the past two seasons.

Noil is an explosive return man who is great at making the first tackler miss. Taylor Bertolet is a capable kickoff specialist who is next up at place-kicker, but if he can’t get the job done, the Aggies are going to have to turn to freshman Daniel LaCamera.

OVERVIEW

The defense should be much better with Chavis’ attacking style, fueled by Garrett’s ability to get the quarterback. In addition, Allen and the receiving corps may get a big boost from changes in the run game, giving the Aggies a play-action passing game. And the schedule is SEC-friendly, with only three games outside of the state and SEC West foes Alabama and Auburn at home.

TOP NEWCOMER

DT Daylon Mack: The true freshman is already bigger and more explosive than any defensive tackle on the Aggies’ roster. He is big enough to handle nose tackle, but quick enough to be a three-technique, if needed.

To check out the Aggies schedule, projected depth chart and three-year stats click here: https://www.lindyssports.com/college-football/sec/texas-am Our team feed (weekly info on the teams) will be activated right before the season so you can get updated info on the Aggies all season long.