This group has to improve for the offense to have success
The offensive line just might be the linchpin of Texas A&M’s 2024 season. After subpar performances in recent seasons, a repeat of that could severely limit the Aggies’ ceiling this fall. On the other hand, give this roster and this staff an average to good line, and you could see them win a lot of games.
As we dive into examining this year’s Maroon Goons, we begin on the outside at tackle.
Who did we lose?
Practically no one. The only player who took a snap at tackle last season for the Aggies that doesn’t return is Colton Thomasson (four total snaps in 2023) and he was moved to guard in the spring. Thomasson has since transferred to Baylor.
Who do we bring back?
- Trey Zuhn III: Voted as a team captain and entering his third season as a starter, Zuhn is a fixture at left tackle for Texas A&M and was voted third-team preseason All-SEC. He was the target of a lot of criticism in 2022 until it came out that he played through multiple injuries the entire year. After getting healthy last offseason, he improved his PFF pass block grade from 67.4 to 77.1 in 2023 (6th among SEC offensive tackles). With a full offseason to focus on weights and not just rehab, he could be due for another big jump.
- Reuben Fatheree II: Back after injury kept him from seeing the field much in 2023, Fatheree is looking to get back to his old self. He burst onto the scene as a true freshman, shutting down All-World EDGE Will Anderson in a 41-38 win over Alabama, but was inconsistent as a sophomore. With a clean bill of health and a new offensive line coach, Fatheree could have a big year.
- Dametrious Crownover: Did someone say big? When the former Grandview Zebra signed with the Aggies in 2021, he was a 6’6, 275lb DE/TE. Fast forward to today and he’s a 6’7, 330-lb tackle who looks like he could suit up for the Dallas Cowboys. He has proven to be a mauler in the run game and when he’s able to get his hands on people in pass pro, it’s over. However, he is still new to the position and the consistency isn’t quite where it needs to be yet. He is battling to start at right tackle, but would play an important role as a swing tackle if he can’t win that job.
What other names should we know?
- Armaj Reed-Adams: The transfer from Kansas appears to be a lock to start on the A&M offensive line, the only question is where. Originally a member of the 2020 recruiting class, the DeSoto product checks in at 6’5” and 330 lbs (down from 410 during the pandemic). His best position is certainly guard, but the A&M coaches have been trying him at tackle to see if he is their best option there. Reed-Adams has long arms and good enough footwork to play tackle if the coaches do decide to start him there.
- Akinola Ogunbiyi: A former four-star guard in the 2020 class, Aki has been taking most of his reps at tackle over the last couple of seasons. He has been in the program longer than any other offensive lineman on the team and his experience could come in handy if he is called upon.
- Hunter Erb: Coming out of Haslet, TX, Erb was a 4-star signee in the 2022 class. At 6’6, 330lb, he has the requisite size to be an SEC OL. However, Erb had a shoulder injury after he got on campus that has likely delayed his development. He is more suited for a reserve role at this time.
Overall Grade: C+
This could go from a C+ to a B or even an A in very short order. The problems with the offensive tackles (and the offensive line as a whole) the past two seasons have seemed to be more mental than physical. Elko brought Adam Cushing over with him from Duke to coach the offensive line and he should make a big impact on these guys right away. Depth is pretty solid here with five options being 4th-year players or older, making it unlikely any true freshmen see the field. While I like the upside here, A&M fielded two of the five worst Power 5 offensive lines in 2022 and 2023 in terms of pressure rate allowed (per PFF). As they say in Missouri, “show me.”
Check out our other position previews to get you prepped for the 2024 season: