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Basically ... The offense took a while to get going, and it failed to score much at the end of last year. Now the attack should be great thanks to the return of QB Travis Cox to spread the ball around to his quick receiving corps. The concern going into the season will be the running game with no established rusher working behind an average, but big, line. Several new running backs will be added to the mix this summer and one needs to stand out.
Star of the offense: Senior QB Travis Cox
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior RB Emmanuel Marc
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman QB Leon Jackson III
Best pro prospect: Junior OT Donald Penn
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Cox, 2) Penn, 3) OG Elliott Tupea
Strength of the offense: Quarterback
Weakness of the offense: Running back
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Travis Cox, Sr. - Cox was one of the big question marks coming into last year and he came through big time throwing for 2,791 yards and 18 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He's a mobile quarterback as well rushing for four touchdowns and finishing with 53 positive yards despite getting sacked as much as any quarterback in the Sun Belt. He led the Sun Belt in total offense per game and should do it again now that he knows the offense even better.
Top Backups
- Leon Jackson III, RFr. - Jackson came on this spring and made a strong claim to the number two job. He doesn't have the command of the offense like Travis Cox has, but he's a fantastic passer and will be the quarterback of the future.
- Matt Crivello, Sr. - He was the number two quarterback last year and will be battling for the job again, but he has to be healthy after having problems with a shoulder injury over the course of his career. He only completed one of five passes for four yards with an interception last season.
- Bryan Black, Soph. - The fourth option now that Leon Jackson emerged as a player, the 6-3 Black will have to battle his way back into the race. He completed eight of 21 passes last year for 71 yards and a touchdown with four interceptions. He's a pure passer, but he has a little bit of mobility.
The Skinny: Travis Cox is one of the best quarterback in the Sun Belt and should be even better this year. While the backups might not have been productive when given the chance last year, at least they're experienced to go along with rising star Leon Jackson. In other words, this is a good group.
Player to keep an eye on: Leon Jackson III ... Quarterback Rating: 5.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Ryan Kemp, Soph. - The former walk-on was hurt all of last year, but he's back and good enough to take over the top spot coming out of spring ball. He's a quick, athletic runner who should do a decent job, but he's just keeping the seat warm until star JUCO transfer Emmanuel Marc gets into the mix this summer.
Top Backups
- Emmanuel Marc, Jr. - The national JUCO offensive player of the year, Marc will instantly be the most talented back on the roster when he arrives later this summer. He ran for 3,273 yards and 20 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
- Tyrone McKinney, Sr. - The 5-6, 172-pound senior is a pure speed back who ran for 33 yards last year and caught one pass in only six games of action. He has more speed and quickness than Ryan Kemp, but he's more suited to be a third down back behind Emmanuel Marc.
The Skinny: Emmanuel Marc had better be as good as advertised or the running back corps will be a nightmare. Beau Herbert, Chris Forbes and Marcus Crawford are also on the way to add help, so Ryan Kemp, the number one back out of spring ball, could quickly find himself in the back of the pack.
Player to keep an eye on: Emmanuel Marc ... Running Back Rating: 3.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Raymond Hicks, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer should grow into one of the team's top pass catchers after making 13 grabs for 183 yards and a touchdown. He's a speedy player and a strong deep threat leading the receivers with a 14.1 yard per catch average.
- Tushambi Evans, Jr. - The JUCO transfer should be an interesting player in the mix. He's only 5-7 and 152 pounds, but he's extremely quick and will take over the job at the Y where he needs to quickly become one of the team's most reliable receivers.
- Tony Pennyman, Soph. - He isn't big at 5-9 and 163 pounds, but he's tough and has good hands. He's a tremendous all-around athlete making ten catches for 88 yards last year.
- Tight end Jason Stephens, Soph. - Stephens will replace All-America tight end Chris Cooley. While not the all-around player that Cooley was, Stephens is a good receiver who should be a major player in the passing game coming off an eight-catch, 82-yard, one touchdown season.
- Tight end Patrick McNutt, Jr. - McNutt is the blocker among the tight ends as opposed to the pass catchers like Jason Stephens and Jimmy Bohm. He was banged up a bit last year only playing in six games, but will get the start in two-tight end sets.
Top Backups
- Lawrence Lovelace, Jr. - A good athlete, Lovelace comes over from the JUCO ranks where he caught 30 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns last year. He's technically a starter at the L position, but more often than not he'll be fourth option in the mix.
- Tarrell Richards, RFr. - He'll combine with JUCO transfer Tushambi Evans for the Y spot. He has good speed and will quickly become an impact player in the passing attack.
- Tight end Jimmy Bohm, RFr. - The best combination of size and hands among the tight ends, all the 255-pound tight end needs is a little time to get his feet wet.
The Skinny: The Aggies only return three letterwinners, but the passing game uses so many receivers and spreads it around so much that the newcomers should step in and be fine. The main concern is losing the 62 catches of production from tight end Chris Cooley. There are five good tight end prospects, but none like Cooley.
Player to keep an eye on: Tushambi Evans ... Receiver Rating: 3.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Donald Penn, Jr. - The best player on the line, the 313-pound Penn has grown into a reliable tackle and an excellent pass protector able to play on either side. He'll start at left tackle this year.
- Guard Victor Eti, Jr. - A massive 6-3, 330-pound player, the former JUCO transfer will get the starting nod at left guard. He's the biggest player on the line.
- Center Malik Cin, Jr. - The 318-pound Cyn will have to replace the reliable production of Aric Galliano. He'll battle Davis Rawlins for the starting job and while Rawlins has more athleticism, Cin is the more dominant run blocker.
- Guard Elliott Tupea, Sr. - The 311-pound Tupea was a regular at tackle last year and will move over to guard this season to take advantage of his size. Not the most agile lineman in the world, this is a better fit.
- Tackle Brenen Burningham, Sr. - A 6-7, 293-pound player, Burningham has experience as a spot starter and should fill in nicely on the right side. With his long arms, he's a good pass protector and will combine with Justin Schlimgen for the job.
Top Backups
- C David Rawlins, Jr. - A backup in the middle over the last two years, now he'll combine with Malik Cin for the starting job. He has better feet and more experience, but he's not the mauler that Cin is.
- T Justin Schlimgen, Jr. - While not quite as big as Brenen Burningham, Schlimgen proved this spring that he's good enough to take over at right tackle if needed.
The Skinny: The line lost three starters, but it returns a very big group that should eventually dominate in the running game. The key will be pass protection giving up 34 sacks last year.
Player to keep an eye on: Donald Penn ... Offensive Line Rating: 4
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