Bye Week Musings and Midseason Awards
Not really musings more so than it is word vomit but whatever
Happy bye week!
Hope you all rested up nicely and enjoyed a relaxing week. A&M won the bye week, moving up a spot to #14 despite not playing (thanks for blowing it, Ole Miss!). After getting last Saturday off, Texas A&M will be back at it in a few days as they travel to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs to kick off the second half of the season.
But before we delve into that - the preview will be out in a few days - I wanted to take this article at least to focus and reflect on the first half of the season, one where I felt like there was a tremendous amount of growth for this team despite there only being six games. The early returns for the Mike Elko era have been really encouraging thus far, as it’s felt like this team has found its identity and is improving game after game. After a crusher in the season opener against Notre Dame, the Aggies now sit at 5-1, atop the SEC, and with everything in front of them.
They just gotta keep going and take it one game at a time.
Instead of looking ahead, though, I wanted to acknowledge some main contributors and give out some midseason awards to those that deserve them. Let’s delve into it.
Offensive MVP: Le’Veon Moss
I told y'all Le’Veon Moss had the makings of a legit SEC running back.
He’s realized that All-Conference potential through the first six games of the season.
Moss has been the main benefactor of a revamped running game, as the power back has been one of the most productive running backs in the country so far in 2024. Ranking inside the top 20 nationally and in the top three in the SEC for rushing yards on the season, the junior from Louisiana has had a tremendous year in the backfield for Texas A&M. With 609 yards on 88 carries, the dynamic back has been one of the centerpieces of the offense and frankly, the team as a whole, and he’s been a major engine for how the offense has ran.
Without his blend of power and breakaway speed, the running game would not be nearly as effective as it is right now. The physical tailback has set the tone for how Collin Klein’s offense has operated this year, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
It feels like he’s put it all together after an offseason where Mike Elko raved about his progress under Tommy Moffitt, and it’s led to massive success for both him and the team. Love to see it.
Defensive MVP: Nic Scourton
The prized acquisition from the transfer portal has lived up to the lofty expectations set upon him by the 12th Man and the national media.
4.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 6 run stuffs, 20 pressures, 13 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups, and a forced fumble is a hell of a statline midway through the season.
After somewhat of a statistical slow start for Scourton, he’s really taken off and proved why he’s one of the best pass-rushers in the nation and projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s not really fair to say he had a slow start, I guess, because he was double-teamed and schemed out of the game by Notre Dame to begin the season, but over the last few weeks he’s made his presence known in a massive way.
Bryan’s prodigal son has single-handedly wrecked games for the Aggies at times, particularly destroying Arkansas’ offensive game plan and recording 1.5 sacks against Missouri a few weeks ago. With his power and athleticism off the edge, he’s been a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen and coordinators to deal with in the passing game; in addition, it’s felt like he’s made progress as a run stopper too, being able to set the edge more often and forcing runs inside against a stout interior. He’s been a big reason why the Aggie run defense has really tightened up since a lackluster first two weeks.
Overall, Scourton has been everything the Aggies have hoped for and more since arriving from Purdue. While he may have been overlooked when he was a high school recruit despite being in A&M’s own backyard, rest assured he’s not anymore, both by the Aggies and the nation. He’s one of the best defensive players in the country - cherish him while he’s here.
(My honorable mention for this one was Will Lee, too - he’s playing at an All-SEC level at cornerback and has been the lockdown cover guy that the Ags have relied on en route to an improved secondary as a whole.)
Special Teams MVP: Tyler White
Could also give this to Randy Bond. He’s been better this year from an accuracy perspective thus far to add to the cannon of a leg he’s got.
But Tyler White is showing why he was, I believe, the top-ranked punter in the 2023 recruiting class.
The redshirt freshman has been phenomenal from the jump, averaging a little over 46 yards per punt on 19 boots with his longest being a 62-yard rocket. Out of the 19 punts he’s, well, punted, White has landed 12 (branding!) of them inside the 20, which is a damn good efficiency rate.
He’s legitimately been a big reason why the Aggies were able to win some of the games they have. Arkansas couldn’t go the length of the field because White kept pinning them so deep in their own territory. He had a web gem and one of the greatest kicks I’ve ever seen against Missouri. His one punt against Florida put the Gators inside their own 15-yard line before they threw a pick-six to effectively ice the game.
White has been awesome this season. And I’m thankful we have a major weapon on special teams this year after all the ineptitude around the position group over the last few seasons.
Offensive Most Improved: Offensive Line
I feel like I can’t say anyone else but the Maroon Goons.
After being arguably the worst unit on the team the last few years, new offensive line coach Adam Cushing has completely transformed this unit to what it has become this year, the heart and soul of this unit and the identity of maybe the team as a whole. They’ve paved the way for a national top-ten rushing offense and for a passing game where the quarterbacks have been kept clean, only giving up seven sacks on the year.
Led by the ever-consistent captain Trey Zuhn, far and away the best o-lineman on the team, Chase Bisontis, who has taken a major step up from last season, Koli Faaiu, who has stepped up after Mark Nabou went down with a season-ending injury early on, Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, who’s impressed in his first year with the Aggies, and the right tackle pairing of Dametrious Crownover and Reuben Fatheree, this o-line has improved so, so much from the darkness that was the Steve Addazio error.
This offense goes as far as this offensive line will take them. So far, they’ve taken them to great results; they’ll be looking to keep that positive momentum going in the back half of the schedule.
Defensive Most Improved: Run Defense
When I tell you that the run defense was bad through the first two weeks of the season, it was really bad. I’m talking lost-the-game-against-Notre Dame bad and let-McNeese-kinda-go-crazy bad.
But over the course of this season, like a lot of aspects of this team so far, I’d say, they’ve improved by leaps and bounds. And it’s not like they’ve faced bad competition, either; the Ags have went up against three of the better running games in the conference, with Florida’s Montrell Johnson, Arkansas’ duo of Taylen Green and Ja’Quinden Jackson, and Missouri’s Nate Noel all having good seasons on the ground thus far, not to mention Bowling Green’s Terion Stewart also being somewhat of a workhorse for them as well. Here are their performances against A&M’s run defense:
Florida (Johnson): 7 carries, -7 yards
Bowling Green (Stewart): 13 carries, 42 yards
Arkansas (Green): 13 carries, 6 yards
Arkansas (Jackson): 10 carries, 37 yards, 1 TD
Missouri (Noel): 10 carries, 30 yards
Yeah, they’ve tightened up.
Behind some big contributors on that defensive line along with linebacker Taurean York being one of the leaders at the second level in run defense, the Ags have rebounded from a pretty miserable start from that perspective to now seemingly hitting their stride to achieve some of the success that they’ve had in that department for a few years now. It’s been a great turnaround to see on that side of the ball.
Offensive Unsung Hero: Marcel Reed
I don’t really think Marcel Reed qualifies as an “unsung” hero because so many have sung his praises in the time that Conner Weigman had to sit out because of injury.
But regardless, he gets this nod for the critical role he played in keeping the Aggies afloat, winning games, and introducing himself to the college football world in the process. His first three games as a starter showed some major promise, especially with his legs, protecting the football, and being willing to throw over the middle of the field… not to mention having the stones to lead A&M to three wins in those games, beating Florida on the road, a pesky Bowling Green squad, and a really tough Arkansas group at a neutral site.
He had to grow up pretty quickly and be launched somewhat into the fire, but Reed delivered and has kept this season afloat. His athleticism and gutsiness were instrumental for getting those wins, and he’s proven that he can step in at any time if needed and deliver. There are some warts, but he’s also incredibly young and has shown that development over his appearances this year.
Conner Weigman may be the quarterback for the present, but after what he flashed I feel more confident now that Marcel Reed can be that quarterback for the future.
Defensive Unsung Hero: Albert Regis
For all of the hype that guys on the defense like Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, Shemar Turner, Taurean York, and Will Lee get - and rightfully so - I think Albert Regis has been a crucially important piece of the puzzle on the defensive side of the ball for the Aggies this year.
Everyone kind of assumed that DJ Hicks would get the starting nod from the jump this year, but the veteran Regis has only gotten better and better in his time at College Station. He may be the best run defender that the Aggies have and is a true force in the middle of that defensive line. It’s not hyperbole to say that he’s also been a catalyst for why A&M’s run defense has tightened up so much.
Regis has made significant strides this year and has gotten extensive playing time because of that. As long as he continues to be a force on the inside of that defensive line for Texas A&M, eat up blocks, and shut down the run, he more than deserves to get his flowers for his performance in 2024.
Not to mention he’s also just a great dude.
Offensive Breakout: Reuben Fatheree
Truthfully, my offensive breakout player is Le’Veon Moss, but since he’s basically the MVP of that side of the ball let’s pivot towards somewhat of an unconventional pick for this one.
In 2021, Reuben Fatheree had a tremendous season starting as a freshman on the offensive line. Under former o-line coach Josh Henson, Fatheree put together a Freshman All-American campaign, headlined by a stellar performance in the Aggies’ upset win over #1 Alabama where he kept former Tide star edge rushers Will Anderson and Dallas Turner out of Zach Calzada’s face.
Then, Steve Addazio completely destroyed his development and he really struggled over the last two years, whether it was from regression or from nagging injuries. He became somewhat of a forgotten man, and the dude who was thought of by some as A&M’s next star tackle (I really thought he was destined for stardom) kinda faded into the background.
This year, though? Not anymore. He’s recaptured some of that freshman-year form under Adam Cushing, and his time-split with Dametrious Crownover at right tackle has really done him well as he regains his footing as a core part of the offensive line. He’s regularly graded very highly, particularly in pass blocking, and he hasn’t given up a sack in 2024 (and maybe not a pressure, even).
Having an in-form Reuben Fatheree is so big for this offensive line. We know what he can be when he’s on, and seeing him playing some good football again really makes me happy.
Again, thank god Steve Addazio is out of this program.
Congrats to him for getting his Aggie Ring, too!
Defensive Breakout: Marcus Ratcliffe
Once again, while A&M was super active in the transfer portal everyone was talking about the instant impacts that guys like Nic Scourton, Will Lee, Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Cyrus Allen, and other dudes would make on this year’s football team. To their credit, they have more than made their impact, with all of these players and others having earned regular playing time since the offseason.
I think we all should’ve been talking a bit more about Marcus Ratcliffe, though, when the former San Diego State Aztec flipped his commitment to the Maroon and White from UCLA.
All the Freshman All-American has done is just impress and basically force his way into the starting lineup (or at least, to a path of regular, high amount of playing time) from the jump and put together a great first season at Texas A&M thus far. He’s been a monster in the secondary, really doing it all. The versatile safety leads the Ags in interceptions (3) and is tied for third on the team in tackles (20) while also having forced a fumble as well.
He’s more than proven his worth and valuability to the Maroon and White, and his consistent presence on the back end has really helped settle that safety position that has seen some change throughout the year with Dalton Brooks being ejected twice and Trey Jones and Bryce Anderson having battled injury at times.
Extremely thankful we were able to land him out of the portal. He’s been a difference-maker this season.
Best Play
This isn’t really one singular play as it was a series of plays, but I feel like it’s hard to go with anything but the 99-yard touchdown drive to end the first half at Florida.
That drive - starting from A&M’s own one-yard line, in the pouring rain, on the road, looking to put the game somewhat out of reach in the first half - proved to me then what this new regime of Texas A&M football was all about.
Running behind that revamped offensive line for the entirety of the drive, the Maroon Goons re-earned their title with that possession in Gainesville. The five up front mauled the Gators’ defensive line. Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, Marcel Reed, and EJ Smith toted that rock with purpose. They took the air out of Florida’s sails over a 7-minute span and on 15 plays. Run after run after run after run.
Touchdown.
20-0.
That was the first time I was really shown the physical, run-first, hard-nosed nature that Mike Elko and the rest of this coaching staff wanted to bring to College Station. It’s only been more embedded into the fabric of this program since then.
You love to see it.
That’ll do it for this little midseason recap. I’ll see y’all in a few days to preview the Mississippi State clash. Til then, see y’all soon!
-Sourav