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2021 Texas A&M Aggies Football Preview

Texas A&M will have a new quarterback other than Kellen Mond for the first time since Jimbo Fisher left the Noles in favor of Aggieland. 

A&M will feature stars that will have an excellent impact in college fantasy football – Ainias Smith, Isaiah Spiller, and Jalen Wydermyer will all be early targets in fantasy drafts this season.

'21 Fantasy Playoff Schedule

  • Nov 13 @ Ole Miss
  • Nov 20 vs Prairie View A&M
  • Nov 27 @ LSU

Top Fantasy Production '20

  • QB Kellen Mond 233.5 FPts
  • RB Isaiah Spiller 197.6 FPts
  • RB/WR Ainias Smith 186.7 FPts

Coach

  • Jimbo Fisher
  • 26–10

Let’s get into our Q&A session with Olin Buchanan! He covers Texas A&M football for TexAgs. Go follow him on Twitter @olinbuchanan and read more of his work as a columnist at TexAgs.

Overall, how do you believe the offense will compare to the 2020 version?

Last season the offense was run-heavy because A&M had good running backs and multiple injuries at receiver. The running backs are still around. Receivers Camron Buckley and Caleb Chapman are returning from injury. So is tight end Baylor Cupp, who has missed the last two seasons with various injuries. A&M was efficient in 2020, but not overly explosive. That could change dramatically with the continued development of RBs Devon Achane and Isaiah Spiller, the return of tight end Jalen Wydermyer and the expected emergence of WR Demond Demas. Of course, any improvement will depend greatly on whether departed quarterback Kellen Mond is adequately replaced and how quickly the offensive line can be rebuilt after losing four starters. The QB competition between athletic Haynes King and big-armed Zach Calzada will be interesting. Jimbo Fisher’s track record indicates the quarterback situation will be fine.

What do you expect from the QB position in 2021?

Expect the quarterback position to be solid regardless of who wins the starting job. Haynes King and Zach Calzada have exceptional ability. King is a better runner and throws well. Calzada has a stronger arm, but can run when needed. The experience issue is certainly a valid concern. However, King is in his second year in Coach Fisher’s system. Calzada is in his third. Previous quarterbacks from Mond to Jameis Winston, Deondre Francois to Christian Ponder have played well in their second seasons under Fisher’s guidance.

How do you see the workload at RB being distributed?

Isaiah Spiller will continue to get most of the carries at running back, though look for them to be more evenly distributed with Devon Achane. Spiller might be the SEC’s best running back. Achane may be the most explosive. Achane only had 43 carries while averaging better than 8 yards per attempt in 2020. He has to get the ball more often. Last season AInias Smith also got several carries while switching between receiver and running back. Achane and heralded incoming freshman L.J. Johnson figure to get the carries Smith had last season.

How does the offensive line compare to the 2020 group?

Suggesting the offensive line will be as good as it was in 2020 would be unreasonable. All-American Kenyon Green returns to shift from left guard to left tackle, but the Aggies lost a ton of experience up front. The new projected starters. The offensive line could actually be more talented individually. The depth chart is infested with former four-star and five-star recruits. But whether the same level cohesion and expertise can be duplicated is doubtful. The Aggies line still should be sound. But projecting it among the nation’s top three — which A&M’s was last season — would be unrealistic.

What do you think the distribution will be to the WR/TE's?

Ainias Smith is a bona fide star. He should remain the primary receiving threat. Also, Jalen Wydermyer has a proven to be among the nation’s top tight ends. Sophomore receiver Chase Lane is under appreciated bu has a knack of making big catches. The return of Caleb Chapman and the anticipated progress of Demond Demas figures to give A&M the deep threat that was largely missing in 2020. Baylor Cupp can be a major matchup problem in double tight sets.

For our dynasty fantasy freaks, who are some young players that stand out as potential future breakout players?

Looking for fantasy points? Look hard at the Aggies. Ainias Smith is so versatile they can throw deep to him as a receiver on one play and hand off to him as a running back on the next. Achane was the Orange Bowl MVP last season with two touchdowns. That was an indication of what his capabilities. Spiller is a 1,000-yard machine. He’ll score 10 TDs or more if he stays healthy. If you’re looking for guys that may be presently obscure, but could pay off big consider tight end Baylor Cupp and receivers Demond Demas and Caleb Chapman. QB Haynes King could be a late round steal.

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