Newly added OL Finn Dirstine provides Texas A&M with a much-needed boost as a pass-blocker
Winning in college football begins by winning in the trenches, and Texas A&M illustrated that belief after adding former Boston College offensive lineman Finn Dirstine through the transfer portal.
Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher has been vocal that the offensive and defensive lines will be the strength for the team this year, and bolstering positional depth with the addition of Dirstine backs that up. Texas A&M has more than a handful of linemen ready to play meaningful snaps, so Dirstine may not be a starter at the onset.
But make no mistake that his experience will prove invaluable as the Aggies look to overcome the obstacles that plagued this unit in 2022.
Among those issues was a clear level of inexperience by the O-line unit, which is to be expected when injuries hamper the position and force a number of players into meaningful snaps ahead of time. Following last season’s Week 8 loss to South Carolina, the Aggies lost a trio of linemen – Bryce Foster, Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, and Aki Ogunbiyi – for the remainder of the year.
The impact was felt in the numbers, as Texas A&M finished with a 50.0 pass-blocking grade and an overall 53.1 passing grade, per Pro Football Focus. Injuries are never wished upon a team, but if that thorn creeps up once again for A&M this season, then they’ll have a great insurance policy in Dirstine.
The Aggies’ new lineman logged 264 total snaps for Boston College, with a majority (209) coming in the 2022 season. Of those snaps, 137 came in pass-blocking situations while 72 came in run-blocking support.
For the 2022 season, Dirstine finished with a promising 70.0 pass-blocking grade per PFF, which is needed in a crucial season where expectations are high for sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman and newly-added offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The passing game can only excel if the signal-caller has time to let the play develop and make the corresponding read.
That is where Dirstine’s experience will be greatly felt, even if it comes by way of providing backup snaps to a relatively young interior unit.
There are surely bigger names, and positions, that draw conversation ahead of an important season for the Aggies. But don’t overlook the impactful moves like adding Dirstine via the transfer portal, as the offensive guard/lineman should be equipped to provide a huge help in the trenches.
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