By ROBERT CESSNASome players are born to lead, while others grow into the role.
Texas A&M free safety Trent Hunter has been in the spotlight since making 17 tackles against Army in his first collegiate start. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had to become one of the Big 12's best receivers before settling in under center.
The seniors, elected co-captains by their teammates, will have a huge say in whether A&M lives up to its lofty preseason No. 8 ranking.
Last year, the Aggies had a team leader in flamboyant All-American Von Miller, the sack-happy outside linebacker who Aggies loved to cheer for. But Miller always said he followed inside linebacker Michael Hodges, the defense's true heart-and-soul. Miller's words proved true in the Cotton Bowl as LSU rolled to a 41-24 victory after A&M lost Hodges to an injury while leading 10-0.
"The difference in [2009] and last year's team was leadership out of our seniors, particularly Michael Hodges," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. "And we've challenged our seniors this year, and Trent's really stepped up in that regard. He's taken that leadership role, and I think the way he leads our defense is going to be indicative of how well we play this year."
That certainly seems true for the offense and Tannehill, a catalyst for last year's late-season surge. Tannehill took over for a struggling Jerrod Johnson and provided a lightning bolt of energy for the offense as the Aggies built a six-game winning streak that got them to the Cotton Bowl.
Tannehill was 127-of-195 passing for 1,409 yards and 11 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Before that he had been 8 of 13 for 93 yards as he waited for his time behind first Stephen McGee then Johnson.
"Ryan thought he was the best one, and he was our third quarterback at the time, but he thought he was the best one," Sherman said. "He never wavered in his confidence and his ability to do the job."
Tannehill contributed as a freshman and sophomore by catching 101 passes for 1,453 yards and nine touchdowns. But when he started his first game at quarterback, he was ready, throwing for 449 yards and four touchdowns against Texas Tech, a team he grew up rooting for.
Tannehill, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology in May, has been the offense's leader since.
"He's come a long way," junior wide receiver Ryan Swope said. "He's done so many great things for this university, and he's a great student. This summer he had all of us up here. He was texting everyone to go up and throw with him, lift with him, run with him. He's the guy staying on top of everyone and showing senior leadership. He's done a great job. He's always working on trying to get our tempo going. He's been a great vocal leader on field."
By all accounts, Tannehill also puts in his time in the video room and is a serious student of the game.
Sherman, a former NFL offensive coordinator, expects that of his quarterbacks.
"Sometimes the quarterback does not have to play great for you to win, but he better play smart for you to win," Sherman said. "Our quarterback has to play smart. The quarterback makes more decisions than anyone on the field, including the coaches. He has to be right on the money on his decision making. That is a major component to our success as a team. A turnover can be devastating."
Tannehill has said that with all the good skill players on A&M's offense, he just needs to orchestrate. He doesn't need to force the action or try to take over himself.
"He's a different leader than Johnson, but I think players recognize in him a tenacity, a competitive spirit, a toughness about him," Sherman said. "I think they have respect for his abilities."
It's that competitiveness that Sherman likes the most.
"He's a perfectionist in his own way," Sherman said. "I'm kind of hard on him, and he's hard on himself. I have to be careful with him, because he's very critical of himself, of what he did and didn't do."
Tannehill's desire to win is contagious.
Hunter got the best in a paintball fight over the summer. Hunter nailed Tannehill about five times in the event the two organized for their teammates.
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