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SEC Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Texas A&M Aggies, 8-5 (4-4)

Can Texas A&M replace its top-end talent?

Not only is star defensive end Myles Garrett expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this week’s NFL Draft, the Texas A&M Aggies sent nine players to the NFL Combine. Only Alabama and LSU sent more among league rivals.

Several of those players came from what was the SEC’s second best offense in 2016. The Aggies averaged 467.0 yards of total offense per game last season and ranked fourth in the conference in yards per play (6.37).

A&M was better running the football than usual, and returns 1,000-yard rusher Trayveon Williams, as well as dynamic receiver Christian Kirk, but must replace quarterback Trevor Knight and receivers Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. Texas A&M must also find two new starting tackles on the offensive line.

In addition to Garrett and his 32.5 career sacks, the Aggies must replace talented defensive lineman Daeshon Hall, who recorded 15.5 sacks in four years, as well as leading tackler Shaan Washington at linebacker and defensive back Justin Evans, who led the team with four interceptions.

Texas A&M has recruited very well, so the cupboard is far from bare. Quarterback Jake Hubenak has experience and true freshman QB Kellen Mond has great upside. Receivers Damion Ratley, Kirk Merritt, Quartney Davis and Jhamon Ausbon are among the names fans should commit to memory at receiver.

Nevertheless, no team would be expected to improve its record after losing so many talented and productive players. That leads into arguably the biggest question for the Aggies during the season: can Texas A&M win enough to save Sumlin’s job?

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