With Tyreek Chappell’s comeback, how deep is the Aggies’ cornerback room?
Texas A&M and head football coach Mike Elko received additional excellent news about next season’s roster: incoming senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell, who entered the transfer portal in December, has deleted his name and will officially return for the 2024 season.
This offseason, Elko, who witnessed the Aggies’ awful defensive performance against Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, was well aware of last season’s constant secondary issues owing to a lack of depth, talent, and general size at the cornerback position.
Elko dominated the open market, signing five veteran cornerbacks from the portal, including Will Lee Jr., Dezz Ricks, Donovan Saunders, Jaydon Hill, and BJ Mayes.
While Chappell isn’t the tallest cornerback, he was by far the most capable defender on the boundary during the last two seasons. For those who are unaware, Elko helped recruit him to College Station in 2021 when serving as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, shortly before leaving for Duke.
With returning second-year cornerbacks Bravion Rogers and Jayvon Thomas, two players who are sure to grow after their “baptism by fire” 2023 season, Texas A&M’s cornerback room suddenly appears to be a dominant strength heading into spring football next month.
Making some predictions, here’s what the secondary depth chart could look like in 2024 once Tyreek Chappell returns.
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Texas A&M Athletics has announced a football leadership change. The university has released a statement on the matter.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Athletics Director Ross Bjork announced changes in Aggie football leadership Sunday, effective immediately.
Bjork issued the following statement: “After very carefully analyzing all factors related to Texas A&M football, I believe that in order for Aggie football to be successful, a change in program leadership is necessary.
“We want to reach our full potential and they have accepted my decision.
We thank him for his time at Texas A&M and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
” Bjork is scheduled to discuss the decision at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
Update: Less than 12 hours after the Aggies’ 51-10 win over Mississippi State, Texas A&M has parted ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher.
The decision was made at last Thursday’s board meeting.
Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork and University President Mark Walsh met with Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp last week and informed him that a coaching change was “absolutely necessary.
” In 2018, Fisher was awarded his blank-date National Championship Plaque at his inaugural press conference.
Expected to bring the same shot to Aggieland as he had in Tallahassee, Fisher went 45-25 after nearly six seasons at the helm, winning a West Division title and a college football title within seconds.
He has a record of achieving .
“At this point.
And for a variety of reasons, our program has fallen into a neutral position,” Bjork said.
“We need to be involved at the national level because something goes wrong, something doesn’t work, and for Aggie football to achieve our goal of ‘reaching its full potential’ , something had to be given up.
A 9-1 signing in 2020, he extended his original contract through 2031 with $95 million fully guaranteed.
Now, Texas A&M Athletics and the 12 Foundation will pay Fisher’s record-breaking buyout of $77 million, more than $50 million more than the second-largest paid buyout in college football history.
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“While this is a very important financial decision with many consequences, we have a plan and we cannot allow this to affect the performance or culture of our athletics program as a whole.
” “Hmm,” Björk said.
Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson will serve as the Aggies’ interim coach for the remainder of the 2023 season.
“Elijah is all about the players.
“The reaction when he spoke to the team today was great,” Bjork said.
“We wanted someone that the players could gravitate towards.
They have a lot coming up and we know what that means.
” will begin immediately and an advisory committee will be formed, including industry experts and former players.
We’ll hear from Elijah Robinson on Monday afternoon ahead of his first week as interim head coach.
