Paul Freeney

Photo Gallery

After losing senior starters Cyril Obiozor and Michael Bennett to graduation and Lucas Patterson transitioning to the offensive line, the Aggies will have big holes to fill on the defensive line. There is no shortage of talent however as several players are primed to be difference makers up front.

Leading the way will be Eddie Brown and Tony Jerod-Eddie, who both earned starts as true freshman last season and are primed for breakout sophomore years.  Brown notched 25 tackles last season and has the perfect build and high motor to be a devastating nose tackle in the Aggies 3-4 defensive alignment.  Jerod-Eddie recorded 20 tackles and a sack a year ago and is one of the most versatile defenders up front with the physical skills to play either defensive tackle or end.

Also projected to start on the defensive front is senior Matt Moss.  Moss is coming off a stellar spring and was one of the Aggies’ most effective pass rushers a year ago when he recorded 15 tackles and seemed to constantly be in the opposing backfield.

Veterans Paul Freeney and Cody Williams will be counted on to provide valuable leadership on a unit that is long on talent but short on experience.  Freeney turned in one of the most memorable plays of the 2008 season by scooping up a fumble and returning it 58 yards for a touchdown in the Aggies’ win over Army.  Williams is coming off a great spring and is set for a breakout year in 2009.

In addition, three players who saw time at tight end in 2008 will be counted on to add speed and athleticism to the unit.  Ben Bass, Billy Chavis and Michael Ebbitt all have the physical skills to bolster the Aggies’ pass rush which is crucial for defensive success in the pass-happy Big 12.

After redshirting in 2008, the highly recruited duo of Rod Davis and Adren Dorsey will also be counted on to wreck havoc up front.  Davis and Dorsey are both extremely physical and can use their big bodies to plug up running lanes.

Newcomers Kirby Ennis, Chris Henderson, Spencer Nealy and Andrew Weaver will step foot on campus in the fall and all four highly touted prep standouts will compete for playing time immediately.  Junior Andrew Engram will also be in the mix to earn a spot in the rotation.

A look at the 2009 Defensive Line Position:

Letterman Lost:
Michael Bennett
Amos Gbunblee
Kellen Heard
Cyril Obiozor

Returnees:
Ben Bass*
Eddie Brown
Billy Chavis*
Michael Ebbitt*
Andrew Engram
Paul Freeney
Tony Jerod-Eddie
Matt Moss
Cody Williams

2008 Redshirts:
Rod Davis
Adren Dorsey

Newcomers:
Kirby Ennis
Chris Henderson
Spencer Nealy
Andrew Weaver
*Played tight end in 2008.

Jeff Fuller

Photo Gallery

Texas A&M has never had a collection of returning receivers like the group the Aggies will field in 2009.

For the first time in school history, the Aggies have a pair of returning wide receivers with 50-plus seasons on their résumés. If you include the tight end, the Aggies return three receivers who had 40-plus catch seasons the previous year, also for the first time in school history.

Last year sophomores-to-be Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller became just the second Aggie tandem to grab 50 or more catches in the same season, joining 1986 pair of Rod Bernstine (65) and Keith Woodside (52).

Fuller has stood above the rest during the 2009 spring drills, but Tannehill was held out of live action due to shoulder surgery. When fall camp rolls around, Tannehill, who was recruited as a quarterback, will be battling for a spot under center, as promised by head coach Mike Sherman.

Tannehill was an out-of-left field sensation at wide receiver for the Aggies last season. Tannehill started running routes with the wideouts in August after Stephen McGee was named the starter at quarterback over Jerrod Johnson and Tannehill sat at No. 3 on the QB depth chart. Tannehill immediately impressed the coaching staff at wide receiver and started the Aggies’ season-opener at his new position. He finished the year with 55 catches for 844 yards, both freshman records, and five touchdowns (which would have been a freshman record if not for Fuller’s eight TDs in 2008). Tannehill’s 55 catches ranked No. 6, his 844 yards ranked No. 3 and his five scores ranked 13th in the A&M record book. Tannehill also had two 100-yard games, including a monster 12-catch, 210-yard effort against Kansas State, which also shattered the freshman school records.

Fuller didn’t come out of left field since he was one of the state’s top receivers in high school, but his first-year output as a collegian was impressive nevertheless. Fuller grabbed a school record nine receiving touchdowns and also had 50 catches for 630 yards. By the fourth game of the season, Fuller had already matched the freshman record for receiving touchdowns in a season. Fuller was the team’s leading receiver in five of the 11 games he played.

Also making his presence felt in 2008 was junior-to-be Terrence McCoy, who is the younger brother of Aggie tight end Jamie McCoy. The younger McCoy started eight games at wide receiver and had 24 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown. Several times during the 2008 season, the McCoys were both in the starting lineup at the same time.

Veteran Howard Morrow has been a steady contributor for the Aggies the past three seasons, and had a solid spring in preparation for his senior season. Last year Morrow grabbed 10 catches for 147 yards, including a career-high six catches for 67 yards against Oklahoma.

Looking to return to action after missing 2008 due to injuries are Cody Beyer and Roger Holland. Beyer was solid during spring drills in his return to the lineup and adds veteran leadership to the receiving corps. Holland didn’t see any contact in the spring, but has shown the ability to make big plays in the open field.

Sophomore-to-be Nick Trice played sparingly last season, but opened some eyes with a strong performance in the spring and could be a factor in 2009. Junior Kenny Brown has returned to offense after spending 2008 as a safety, and he was also impressive during the spring before hurting his shoulder.

Adding more speed to the mix is sophomore Lionel Smith, who shifted from cornerback to wide receiver during the spring. Smith displayed his speed during the spring and could be a valuable addition in the fall.

Adding depth are non-scholarship receivers Jeremy Brown, Don Bishop, Randle Jackson, Taylor Randle and Tayler Ward.

Looking to make an immediate impact are incoming freshmen Brandal Jackson, Kenric McNeal, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Ryan Swope.

A look at the 2009 Wide Receiver Position:

Letterman Lost:
Pierre Brown

Returnees:
Cody Beyer
Don Bishop
Jeremy Brown
Kenny Brown*
Jeff Fuller
Roger Holland
Randle Jackson
Terrence McCoy
Howard Morrow
Lionel Smith*
Ryan Tannehill
Nick Trice

2008 Redshirts:
Taylor Randle
Taylor Ward

Newcomers:
Brandal Jackson
Kenric McNeal
Uzoma Nwachukwu
Ryan Swope

*Played defensive back in 2008.

Jerrod Johnson

Photo Gallery

The task of replacing probable NFL draft selection Stephen McGee at quarterback came a year early when McGee’s sprained shoulder put Jerrod Johnson into the starting lineup for most of the 2008 season. McGee finished his memorable A&M career as the school’s No. 2 total offense gainer and No. 4 passer, but Johnson added plenty of updates of his own to the record book in his first season as a starter.

The versatile Johnson, who started games at both quarterback and wide receiver in 2008, was brilliant at times and looked like a first-time starter at others, but ended the season with 59.5 completion percentage on 194-of-326 passing for 2,435 yards. He set a school record for season passing touchdowns with 21 scoring strikes. Johnson became the first Aggie signalcaller to pass for more than 400 yards in a game when he threw for 419 yards against Kansas State. He also flirted with 400 two games later with 381 yards and four touchdowns on sizzling 31-of-39 passing against Iowa State.

The wildcard in the quarterback sweepstakes is sophomore-to-be Ryan Tannehill, who basically went from No. 3 quarterback to record-setting wide receiver in the span of a few months last season. Tannehill has drawn impressive reviews from the A&M coaching staff as a quarterback, but his athletic ability and savvy allowed him to move to wide receiver at the end of fall camp last season. He went on to lead the team in receptions and receiving yards. Tannehill remains a quarterback first and wide receiver second, but a shoulder injury has kept him out of live drills in the spring.

Taking the No. 2 quarterback snaps in the spring is Tommy Dorman, who redshirted last season after enrolling at A&M in January of 2008. Dorman has shown excellent athletic ability and a strong arm, but is still several months away from seeing his first live snap at the collegiate level. Dorman’s development is critical, especially if Johnson wins the starting nod and Tannehill returns to wide receiver.

A look at the 2009 Quarterback Position:

Letterman Lost:
Stephen McGee

Returnees:
Jerrod Johnson
Ryan Tannehill
Jeff Wood*

2008 Redshirts:
Tommy Dorman

Newcomers:
Kevin Westerman

*Played tight end in 2008.

Cyrus Gray

Photo Gallery

Replacing the 4,000 rushing yards and 60-plus touchdowns compiled during the careers of Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson will be no small task, but the Aggies might have the running back firepower to do it.

Stepping into the spotlight are a pair of explosive returnees in sophomores Cyrus Gray and Bradley Stephens, who both showed flashes of the future in 2008.

Gray was the team’s second-leading ground gainer as a true freshman with 363 yards on 75 carries. A versatile threat, Gray lined up at running back, as a quarterback, as a wide receiver and was a record-breaking kickoff return man last year. Stephens has been impressive during spring drills and looks ready to build on a solid freshman season in 2009. Stephens generated 296 all-purpose yards last season with yards as a rusher, receiver and return man.

The Aggies could receive an immediate impact from an impressive pair of newcomers from Sherman’s 2009 signing class in Christine Michael from Beaumont West Brook and Kalvin Guyton from Houston Lamar.

Veteran fullbacks and special team standouts Ryan O’Bryant and Anthony Vela are back to pave the way for the Aggie running backs. Fullback Jay Tolliver joined the team this spring and has been impressive.

A look at the 2009 Running Back Position:

Lettermen Lost:
Mike Goodson
Nick LaMantia
Jorvorskie Lane
Keondra Smith

Returnees:
Cyrus Gray
Ryan O’Bryant
Bradley Stephens
Anthony Vela

2008 Redshirts:
N/A

Newcomers:
Kalvin Guyton
Christine Michael
Jay Tolliver

*UPDATE*

The Texas A&M Maroon & White Game is to be played at 2pm as originally scheduled.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas—The weather forecast calls for a continued chance of severe weather on Friday night and Saturday that could affect Aggie athletic contests, including baseball, golf and the Maroon & White football game. As of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, all contests are still scheduled but Aggie fans are encouraged to check AggieAthletics.com and the weather situation before making the trip to College Station.

“I really hope we are able to play the Maroon & White Game on Saturday,” Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman said. “I know Coach Childress and the baseball team have an important series with Nebraska and Coach Higgins and the golf team have a great tournament scheduled as well. I would encourage our fans that are traveling to check before making the drive. We will do everything possible to play, but the safety of both the players and the fans attending these events is of the utmost importance.”

Jeff Wood

Photo Gallery

Filling the gaping hole left by record-setting punter Justin Brantly has been a priority for the Aggie coaching staff and that process will likely continue through fall camp. Brantly finished his illustrious college career last season as the only punter in school history to average more than 43 yards per punt for four straight years, and ranked No. 2 in career punt average with a 44.4 mark.

Taking the lion’s share of the repetitions during spring drills is the versatile Jeff Wood, who served mainly as the Aggies’ scout team quarterback for the bulk at his four previous seasons but also added depth at tight end in 2008. A talented high school punter, Wood has shown a strong leg and is slowly regaining the consistency needed to be a punter at the college level. Also seeing action at punter is the returning starter at placekicker, sophomore-to-be Randy Bullock. Joining the competition in fall camp will be 2009 signee Ryan Epperson, who averaged 43 yard per boot for Keller High School last fall.

The Aggies look set at placekicker with the return of the consistent Bullock, who connected on 6-of-7 field goal attempts in seven games of action after taking off his redshirt prior to the Kansas State game. The strong-legged Bullock, who booted a 46-yarder as a freshman, gave the Aggies a long-range weapon that they hadn’t enjoyed in several years.

Veteran snapper Corey Gibas returns to bring consistency to the Aggies’ punt and placekick units. The senior has served as the Aggies’ snapper for the punt team the past three seasons.

The Aggies’ return game look strong with the return of both the kickoff and punt return specialists from 2008. Record-setting Cyrus Gray averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return, including a 98-yard touchdown jaunt against Oklahoma. Gray nearly doubled the previous single season kickoff return yards school record with 1,169 yards on 49 attempts. Also returning is fellow deep man Bradley Stephens, who contributed a 16.2 average on 13 returns. Consistent Jordan Pugh handled the punt return duties in 2008 and averaged 5.5 yards on 11 returns with a long of 22 yards. Other punt returners with game experience include senior Jordan Peterson and sophomore Roger Holland. Neither had a return in 2008, but Peterson handled 14 returns and Holland fielded eight in 2007.

A look at the 2009 Specialist Positions:

Letterman Lost:
Richie Bean
Justin Brantly
Cory Davis

Returnees:
Randy Bullock
Corey Gibas

2008 Redshirts:
Andrew Arnold
Scott Renkes

Newcomers:
Ryan Epperson
Matt Runkel

Due to over 20 eligible players missing the spring game because of injury, Texas A&M Head Football Coach Mike Sherman will utilize the same scoring system he has instituted this spring to place importance on competition and the importance of each and every play. The Aggies had just nine offensive linemen and two tailbacks in uniform on Tuesday for practice. Those limited numbers make it impossible to hold a traditional spring game.

“This scoring system has worked well this spring as each side of the football has competed on each and every play,” Sherman said. “They understand how important every play of a game is and there is a value assigned. Throughout the spring I have seen days where the offense appears to have the upper hand on the defense early, but with a couple of turnovers and big plays the defense can jump right back into the mix.”

During spring drills, the losing side has had to run sprints after practice while the winning side has been allowed to hit the showers first.

THE POINTS SYSTEM:

OFFENSE (MAROON)

DEFENSE (WHITE)

Jamie McCoy

Photo Gallery

In one of the most successful position changes of the Mike Sherman era at Texas A&M, senior-to-be Jamie McCoy’s move from seldom-used quarterback/wide receiver to tight end paid immediate dividends in 2008.

Despite not having a single catch on his resume prior to 2008, McCoy ranked among the top pass-catching tight ends in the Big 12 conference last year.

Among Big 12 tight ends, McCoy ranked third behind Missouri’s Chase Coffman (90-987) catches) and Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham (66-950). McCoy grabbed at least one catch in every game last year, and 30 of his catched produced a first down.

McCoy ranked third on the team with 43 catches for 500 yards and five touchdowns. The only other Aggie tight end to post 40 catches, 500 yards and five touchdowns in a season was record-setting Rod Bernstine, who led the 1986 Aggies with 65 catches for 765 yards and five scores.

Looking to emerge as McCoy¹s backup during the spring are sophomores-to-be K.J. Williams and Frank Avery. Williams saw action as a true freshman last season, but is still looking for his first career catch. Avery, who redshirted in 2007, saw action in nine games last season but did not register a reception. Williams and McCoy could face a challenge for playing time from incoming freshman Hutson Prioleau.

The development of McCoy, Williams and Avery has allowed several players used as a second blocking tight end to focus on their primary position. Last year, A&M used offensive lineman Danny Baker and defensive end Ben Bass at tight end.

A look at the 2009 Tight End Position:

Letterman Lost:
N/A

Returnees:
Frank Avery
Jamie McCoy
K.J. Williams

2008 Redshirts:
Caleb Russell
Matt Sherman

Newcomers:
David Adame
Ben Bredthauer
Hutson Prioleau