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Texas A&M Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin calls to his players during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin calls to his players during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Trayveon Williams (5) and offensive lineman Connor Lanfear (70) in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Trayveon Williams (5) and offensive lineman Connor Lanfear (70) in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. How will the offensive line come together?

The Texas A&M Aggies return three starting interior offensive linemen from a group that paved the way for an average of 211.9 rushing yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry last season. But the group is in flux this spring.

One of the biggest questions entering in College Station spring practice was who would replace tackles Avery Gennesy and Jermaine Eluemunor. Gennesy was the most experienced offensive lineman on the roster. He made 25 starts for the Aggies during his career, including all 13 at left tackle last season.

Koda Martin started two games at right tackle last season but is the front-runner to take over at left tackle. Keaton Sutherland has gotten reps at right tackle this spring and could shift there permanently this fall, though returning guard Colton Prater also made two starts at right tackle in 2016.

Center Erik McCoy, Prater, Sutherland, and Connor Lanfear all have starting experience. McCoy started all 13 games as a freshman last year, Lanfear made eight starts at right guard last season and Sutherland started at both right and left guard. Prater and Lanfear have been sidelined due to injury, which has led to shuffling across the board. As a result, Kellen Diesch and Ryan McCollum have gotten time with the first team offense this spring at guard.

Tank Davis and Austin Anderson should be in the mix at tackle, and newcomers Jared Hocker (an early enrollee) and Grayson Reed could push for playing time as well. A&M is also reportedly in the hunt for graduate transfer Christian Daimler, who played three games at Oklahoma last season.

Overall, the patchwork line has struggled to find its rhythm this spring and depth is an issue. A healthy Prater and Lanfear will help in the fall but expect the running game to suffer and the quarterbacks to see heavy pressure in the spring game.

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