Ranking the 15 best players on Texas A&M’s 2023 football roster
Texas A&M is headed toward a crucial 2023 football season in the coming months, which means they’ll be relying on a handful of key impactful players on both sides of the ball.
Much conversation has been made about the Aggies’ underwhelming 5-7 2022 campaign (2-6 SEC), but what is often overlooked is the contributions made by more than a handful of true freshmen. For being thrust into the fire on a moment’s notice, Texas A&M flashed its potential on offense and by all means stood its ground on defense, which figures to be a promising unit this coming season.
As Jimbo Fisher has noted recently, the trials of last season will serve as a lesson learned and fuel for the future, which means a number of players could be set for impactful, and even breakout seasons.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some names Texas A&M will be counting on this fall.
15. Freshman OL Mark Nabou
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: N/A
When the likes of Jimbo Fisher praise your name consistently through talkin’ season, you better pay attention. While Nabou enters his first season with the Maroon and White, his versatility gives plenty of promise to the Aggies’ frontline unit.
14. Sophomore WR Noah Thomas
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 5 receptions, 51 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
Jimbo has raved about Thomas throughout the spring, and the sophomore wideout was named A&M’s Spring Offensive MVP after expanding his rep count from a season ago. Could a potential “mini Mike Evans” be set for a breakout 2023 season?
13. Sophomore TE Donovan Green
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 22 receptions, 233 yards, 2 touchdowns
Green was one of a handful of true freshmen to flash their potential in last season’s “trial by fire” campaign, and the sky is the limit based on what we’ve heard about Bobby Petrino’s offense and its leverage of different tight end formations and sets.
12. Junior RB Amari Daniels
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 36 carries, 200 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry
Daniels saw a relatively low volume of carries last season, but that stands to change as he replaces De’Von Achane in the backfield (who departed for the NFL). Jimbo has touted the running back room’s potential, which starts with Daniels atop the depth chart.
11. Senior DB Demani Richardson
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 73 total tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Richardson brings plenty of experience to an Aggies’ secondary that allowed just 162.1 YPG through the air in 2022. With the likes of Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones departing for the NFL, Richardson’s veteran experience will be crucial as ever.
10. Senior OG Layden Robinson
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
2022 stats: 754 snaps, 4 sacks allowed, 11 QB hits allowed, 20 QB hurries surrendered
Robinson at one point was labeled as one of the top interior offensive linemen ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, but injuries ultimately hampered what could have been a promising season. He’s one of the prime candidates to bounce back and add legitimate depth to the Aggies’ front line.
9. Junior OL Reuben Fatheree II
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 785 snaps, 4 sacks allowed, 6 QB hits allowed, 8 QB hurries surrendered
In 2022, Fatheree posted a run-blocking grade of 71.1 and a pass-blocking grade of 77.8 per PFF while allowing just six sacks over the course of two seasons. Like Robinson, Jimbo’s continuous praise of the front unit starts with key cornerstones such as Fatheree.
8. Graduate TE Max Wright
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 129 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Texas A&M’s TE group boasts a nice blend of upside and veteran experience, with the latter coming by way of Wright. Fans should be especially intrigued to witness how Wright is used in Petrino’s scheme, both as a threat and as a potential decoy.
7. Sophomore DB Bryce Anderson
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 28 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
Anderson was named as one of the team’s defensive MVPs during the Maroon and White game, and coaches and staff alike have all raved about his development heading into his sophomore season. If there’s ever a prime breakout candidate in the backend unit, put your money on Anderson.
6. Sophomore C Bryce Foster
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 253 snaps, 0 sacks allowed, 1 QB hit allowed, 5 QB hurries allowed
Foster appeared as a starter for the Aggies in 12 games last season and has already drawn consideration as a potential first-round selection by a handful of outlets heading into next year’s draft. A&M’s front unit is looking to take a drastic leap in 2023 and will surely lean on Foster.
5. Sophomore QB Conner Weigman
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 896 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Weigman was thrust into the fire in light of injuries to Haynes King and Max Johnson and flashed his potential as the future of this program under center. With a track record as a quarterback guru, fans should be excited to see Weigman take a leap with Petrino as his OC.
4. Junior DL Shemar Turner
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 32 total tackles, 0.5 sacks
Turner has already flashed his talent through his two seasons with A&M, recording 46 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 sacks. He’s by no means finished in regard to his development, which means the 2023 season will be a significant one for the junior defensive star.
3. Sophomore DL Shemar Stewart
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 23 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.0 fumble recovery
Stewart is another big name to keep an eye on from A&M’s vaunted 2022 recruiting class, and much like his counterpart in Turner, should be equipped to make another leap after helping the Aggies boast a defense last year in the top 25 in points allowed (23.1 PPG).
2. Sophomore DL Walter Nolen
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 29 total tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1.0 forced fumbles
Nolen spent much of his freshman season learning the ropes, but he’s one of the prime contenders to make a substantial impact up front for the defense. During spring ball he flashed his attributes with five tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.
1. Sophomore WR Evan Stewart
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 53 receptions, 649 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
Stewart flashed his big-play potential last season with an average of 12.0 yards per play from scrimmage, and he’s unquestionably the highlight-worthy name of a promising receiver group. With Bobby Petrino in the fold as offensive coordinator, there’s plenty of excitement when it comes to how the passing game, and Stewart in particular, benefits from Petrino’s scheme.
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