By ROBERT CESSNAHere are Robert Cessna's preseason grades for the Aggies (last year's preseason grades in parenthesis):
QUARTERBACKS: B+ (A-)
Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill helped salvage the 2010 season, taking over for a struggling Jerrod Johnson. Tannehill became an instant folk hero leading the team to victories over Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas, but three interceptions in a 41-24 Cotton Bowl loss to LSU is a reminder he's started only six games at quarterback. If the former wide receiver has a future as an NFL quarterback, something A&M head coach Mike Sherman says he has, the Aggies should win at least 10 games in 2011. If Tannehill struggles, it would be asking too much for one of the redshirt freshmen, Jameill Showers or Matt Joeckel, to duplicate what Tannehill did last year.
RUNNING BACKS: A- (B)
There's no sure thing, but tailbacks Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael come close. Both are averaging 5.2 yards per carry in their careers, rushing for 3,784 yards combined even though the Aggies haven't had an offensive lineman earn first-team all-conference honors during their tenure. Gray and Michael should each average 15-20 touches per game, which could account for half of what's expected to be a potent offense. Injuries, however, are a concern. Michael missed the last six games in 2010 with a broken leg, and Gray missed part of training camp with a pulled hamstring. Sophomore Ben Malena nailed down the backup spot behind Gray and Michael, but Aggies are hopeful it will be for mop-up duty.
OFFENSIVE LINE: C+ (C-)
A&M had the same five linemen on the first team throughout training camp. That stability should lead to fewer sacks (37 allowed for 104th nationally last season) and the ability to consistently be successful in short-yardage situations. The luxury A&M has for the first time in years is that if one or two players struggle, the backups are talented enough to play. During last season, the line seemed to jell after guard Evan Eike, the unit's most experienced player, went down with a season-ending injury. Eike is back in the mix, but the senior right guard is running even with sophomore Shep Klinke, who had a solid effort during spring practice. Tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews have all-conference potential, but they're only sophomores. There's a chance A&M might not start a senior, so there could be growing pains.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: A- (A-)
There's talent and experience on this unit, but health is a concern. Senior Jeff Fuller has All-America aspirations after passing on the NFL draft, but he missed the majority of training camp with a tweaked hamstring. Sophomore Nate Askew had a solid training camp, but he's no Fuller. Uzoma Nwachukwu is solidly entrenched at the starting wideout spot opposite Fuller, and he's primed to put a disappointing sophomore season behind him. He had a solid training camp after playing last season with a foot injury. Speedy, sure-handed Ryan Swope blossomed as an inside receiver last season, but fellow junior inside guys Kenric McNeal and Brandal Jackson missed practice time this August, creating too many makeshift five-receiver sets. Redshirt freshman Malcome Kennedy, overwhelmed last season, now looks like a budding star. Redshirt freshman Hutson Prioleau, Michael Lamothe and Nehemiah Hicks all return at tight end, but it's time for one or two of them to turn potential into results.
DEFENSIVE LINE: C (C)
Tony Jerod-Eddie is poised to be an all-conference player for a unit that's deep and experienced but in need of playmakers. A&M will be able to keep players fresh on this unit. Ben Bass, Eddie Brown Jr., Jonathan Mathis and Spencer Nealy combined for 93 tackles last year, and sophomore Kirby Ennis is a solid addition coming off a redshirt season. Ennis won the starting tackle spot in spring, but Brown closed the gap in training camp. A&M was the best in the league against the run, but that's hard to gauge since the Big 12 leans on passing and finesse.
LINEBACKERS: C+ (B)
You don't replace players like All-American Von Miller, but A&M expects a better defense because of experience and depth, and that is especially the case at linebacker -- at least in depth. Junior Caleb Russell beat out sophomore Damontre Moore to replace Miller at one outside spot in the 3-4 alignment. That doesn't mean both won't play together, but Sherman said several times that junior outside linebacker Sean Porter is set for a banner season at the other starting outside spot. Junior Jonathan Stewart had a good camp to nail down a starting inside linebacking spot, and at the other spot, senior Garrick Williams, who was second on the team in tackles last year, fought off challenges from freshman Donnie Baggs and junior Kyle Mangan. Freshman Tyrell Taylor was one of training camp's biggest surprises, earning a backup spot behind Porter. Experience is a concern. Porter and Williams have a combined 42 starts, but the others have only 17.
SECONDARY: B+ (C)
This unit has seen the best and worst over the past seven months. Four key performers -- cornerbacks Terrence Frederick, Lionel Smith and Coryell Judie and strong safety Steven Campbell -- missed spring practice. The secondary blossomed in training camp with those players back along with newcomers redshirt freshman Clay Honeycutt and true freshman Howard Matthews playing well enough to get playing time. The group is led by senior free safety Trent Hunter, who has a team-leading 34 starts.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C- (D+)
Senior place-kicker Randy Bullock displayed consistency and a strong leg in training camp. He still has to prove he can hit a 35-yarder with the game on the line. A&M's punting game remains iffy with a hamstring injury to highly touted freshman Drew Kaser not helping. Bad snaps in practice remain a concern. Quality depth at linebacker and the secondary along with Bullock or freshman place-kicker Taylor Bertlot should help A&M improve kickoff coverage in which A&M ranked 63rd nationally last season. Returning kicks is a strength with three players on the roster having taken back kicks for touchdowns (Gray and Judy have two kickoff return TDs each and Harris a punt return TD).
COACHING: A- (B)
Sherman has efficiently put together a team capable of competing for a national championship. He was shrewd enough to add recruits such as Frederick, Fuller, Gray and Hunter to his first signing class. Those players have combined for 119 starts, and beyond their play, their leadership has helped the program move forward.
Not everything Sherman touches turns to gold. Another of his signees in 2008 was linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh, who is no longer with the team. He also had to revamp his staff, going through Reggie Herring and Joe Kines as defensive coordinators before landing Tim DeRuyter.
A&M is poised to strike gold, because Sherman has shown a knack for moving on in areas where things don't pan out.
OVERALL: B+ (B-)
Excitement for Aggies is at an all-time high. A&M set a record for season-ticket sales, which means Kyle Field will be rocking seven times in 2011. This team has the ability to score 50 points a game, but it also has a defense good enough that Wrecking Crew towels are again in demand. There's also the off-the-field excitement of A&M headed to the Southeastern Conference.
All indications point toward a 10-win season and a berth in a major bowl game, one the Aggies need to win. It's time to produce like an SEC team.
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