Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin named senior transfer Trevor Knight the starting QB for the 2016 season after an impressive spring game. Knight displayed the talent he failed to show consistently in his time at OU. His passing numbers were highly efficient going 25-of-36 for 282 yards, two touchdowns an interception. He didn’t get to show off his wheels too much, but managed to rush for a TD.
If Knight can build off a solid spring game, the Aggies have a chance to be highly explosive in the passing game. The offense returns 2015 freshman phenom Christian Kirk, junior Ricky Seals-Jones, senior Josh Reynolds & troubled junior Speedy Noil.
Kirk returns to the Aggies trying to top one of the best freshman seasons in A&M history. The sophomore led the way last season catching 80 passes for 1,009 yards & 7 TDs. He also made some explosive plays on special teams returning 2 kicks for TDs & compiling 726 total return yards.
Ricky Seals-Jones had a slow start to his career but has put together back-to-back solid seasons. Seals-Jones saw his yards per catch improve from 2014 to 2015. He recorded 465 yards and 4 touchdowns at 9.5 yards per catch in 2014. His average increased in 2015 to 12.4 yards per catch with 560 yards and 4 touchdowns. Seal-Jones has the best chance of breaking out this season. His 6’5” 235 pound frame makes his an easy target for Knight.
Josh Reynolds is the most experienced receiver returning. In Reynolds first season in college station, he compiled 52 catches for 842 yards & 13 TDs. He followed that up with 51 catches for 907 yards & 5 TDs. Reynolds & Seals-Jones could become a matchup nightmare on the outside. Reynolds stands just an inch shorter than Seals-Jones (6’4”) making them a towering force.
Noil showed tremendous potential in his freshman season snagging 46 passes for 583 yards & 5 touchdowns. However, his sophomore season caused some concern. He failed to improve on his number & regressed heavily catching just 21 passes for 226 yards & 2 TDs. The biggest concern comes off the field for Noil. He missed 2 games to suspensions and a 3rd suspension for the season opener against UCLA. But if he can get his head right he will round out an impressive receiving corp.
If all 4 of these talented wideouts reach their potential, there’s no doubt Knight will have a nice season. However, starting running back Tra Carson is gone & the Aggies will have to replace him if they want a complete offense next season.
The O-line also loses 3 starters, but 2015’s line was likely the worst since A&M moved to the SEC. Tackle Germain Ifedi is the only 1st round pick exiting the line. There shouldn’t be too much cause for concern next year with a senior starter like Knight at the helm.
-HST Correspondent Collin Wieder
(Knight’s spring game stats courtesy of 247Sports.com)
(Christian Kirk, Ricky Seals-Jones, Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil’s stats courtesy of college football-reference)
(Oklahoma vs Alabama Highlights courtesy of Sooner Game Day)
