Latest news with #Aggie
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Texas A&M needs to pursue Western Kentucky star transfer OF
Texas A&M needs to pursue Western Kentucky star transfer OF Texas A&M's 2025 offseason is critical for second-year head coach Michael Earley, whose job was saved last week after Athletic Director Trev Alberts made his final decision to give the young skipper a second chance, which was both shocking and relieving to the Aggie fan base. On Monday, the transfer portal officially opened. Earley is well aware of the program's needs, knowing that eight players have now entered the portal, which includes pitchers Isaac Morton, Kyrin LeBlanc, Austin Vargas, Houston Thomlinson, and Blayne Lyne. At the same time, catchers Jacob Galloway and Hayden Crites, combined with outfielder Nathan Tobin, rounded out the losses. While Tobin and LeBlanc look like the only significant losses due to their potential, Earley will also lose star infielder Wyatt Henseler, while Jace LaViolette will more than likely declare for the 2025 MLB Draft given his status as No. 15-ranked prospect. However, with third baseman Gavin Grahovac and freshman outfielder Terrence Kiel II guaranteed to return, the 2026 lineup will still lack juice at the plate, meaning landing another star hitter is mandatory if the Aggies hope to be viewed as contenders for the NCAA Tournament next summer. As soon as the portal opened, Western Kentucky star Ryan Wideman entered his name after slashing .398 with 68 RBIs and 10 home runs. While Texas A&M's 30-26 (11-19 SEC) record last season resulted in missing the postseason for the first time since 2006, gaining talented players from the transfer portal has not been an issue in the previous two offseasons. However, Earley still has a lot to prove in terms of offseason recruiting. Landing Wideman would be a great start and likely provide momentum moving forward. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Texas A&M defensive back earns United Football League honors
Former Texas A&M defensive back earns United Football League honors Former Texas A&M defensive back Leon O'Neal Jr. has become known as the heart of the United Football League's Houston Roughnecks organization with his dedication and determination on the gridiron. The hours of hard work have paid dividends for the former Aggie Heart Award winner, as he was named to the All-UFL Team on Monday morning. O'Neal Jr. made an immediate impact with Texas A&M in 2018, where he recorded 14 total tackles and one interception in 13 games played as a freshman. From that moment forward, he was all over the field for the Aggies. He finished his collegiate career with 161 total tackles, 18 pass deflections, and six interceptions, becoming one of the most experienced and talented defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference. Following his four-year career in Bryan-College Station, Texas, O'Neal Jr. entered his name into the 2022 NFL Draft. After being undrafted, he would eventually sign with the San Francisco 49ers, before being cut in 2023 and venturing into the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Elks. Since being signed by the Roughnecks on January 28, 2025, the former Aggie has recorded 46 total tackles, one sack and one pick-six during the UFL regular season. Above his play on the gridiron is his heart and gritty personality that uplifts everyone around him. That, among many other noble personality traits, is the reason that O'Neal was also named as a UFL Sportsman of the Year nominee, which is awarded to the player in the league who demonstrates excellent dedication to serving the community and incredible aptitude on the field. Congrats Leon O'Neal Jr., UFL Sportsman of the Year Nominee 👏 — Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) June 2, 2025 Although the Roughnecks are not competing in the UFL's postseason, O'Neal Jr. announced that he is already on the grind preparing for next season. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M's bullpen is in good shape with several pitchers returning
Texas A&M's bullpen is in good shape with several pitchers returning Texas A&M's baseball program will continue to be headed by Michael Earley, who will retain his position going into the 2026 season, which was met with mixed reactions within the Aggie fan base. After finishing 30-26 and 11-19 in SEC play during the inaugural season, Earley is entering a "prove it" year entering the summer. However, he'll likely have most of the 2025 roster to work with after five players, led by third baseman Gavin Grohavac and freshman outfielder Terrence Kiel II, announced their returns, while up-and-coming relief pitchers Clayton Freshcorn and Caden McCoy joined the party on Saturday afternoon. With Freshcorn and McCoy returning, Texas A&M's future bullpen is in great shape. On paper, starter Shane Sdao, who was injured last season, is slated to return. At the same time, ace Ryan Prager and Justin Lamkin could declare for the MLB draft, but should consider returning for a final season to increase their value, especially Prager. Behind Freshcorn and McCoy are several young arms, including Aiden Sims and Gavin Lyons, who saw an increase in playing time during non-conference games. However, nothing matches the likely return of veteran reliever Josh Stewart, who was also lost early in the 2025 season, and will be healthy heading into the winter months. One of the reasons Michael Earley and pitching coach Jason Kelly used so many arms throughout the season was to gain valuable experience, especially during SEC play. If Clayton Freshcorn and Caden McCoy live up to their immense potential next season, the early struggles of last season will have paid off. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line as one of the best in the country
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line as one of the best in the country Texas A&M will enter the 2025 season with one of the top offensive lines in the country, based on experience and recruiting talent, as all five starters from the beginning of the 2024 season return to the lineup, paired with six freshman O-linemen from the 2025 signing class, led by five-star tackle Lamont Rogers, who could see the field sooner than later. Throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Elko has consistently praised his offensive line, recognizing that for the Aggie offense to improve, starting quarterback Marcel Reed truly requires consistent pass protection. Meanwhile, A&M's deep running back room should thrive if guards Chase Bisontis and Ar'maj Reed-Adams continue where they left off last season. This week, Elko continued to praise the O-line during the annual Austin Coach's' Night, knowing that any success starts and ends in the offensive trenches. "Any time you're building a team and talking about possible success, when you bring back your top six starting offensive linemen, that's a really strong starting point." When the blocking up front is effective, most offenses thrive, especially OC Collin Klein's run-centric scheme, which also relies on setting up play-action. However, it requires the quarterback to make quick, decisive reads, especially when the run game isn't working. Elko isn't the only one praising Texas A&M's offensive line, as Pro Football Focus ranked the 2025 blockers of Texas A&M as the third-ranked O-line, behind Alabama and Utah, while Florida and Oregon came in fourth and fifth, respectively. While this is simply a preseason ranking, PFF's Max Chadwick isn't one of the more trusted, research-based football journalists who don't just throw names out for clicks. Instead, he studies the film, showing that Texas A&M's size, strength, and athleticism at tackle and guard should have the Aggies in good shape in the trenches heading into fall camp. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where does Texas A&M's superstar running back rank among non-quarterbacks in 2025?
Where does Texas A&M's superstar running back rank among non-quarterbacks in 2025? After showcasing his potential in front of the Aggie faithful in Bryan-College Station, Texas, last season, the hype is growing at a rapid pace for what Texas A&M's superstar running back can bring to the table for the program in 2025. According to ESPN's non-quarterback rankings, senior back Le'Veon Moss is ranked as the No. 8 player in the country who is not a signal-caller heading into this year's campaign. The 2024 All-SEC Second Team running back recorded 765 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground for the Aggies in 2024. Even though the Walker, Louisiana, native suffered an injury against South Carolina in early November that sidelined him for the rest of the year, Moss still displayed his athleticism and ability to make the best teams in the country struggle to bring him down. He played a huge role in aiding the Aggies to become the second-best rushing attack in the conference and the ninth-best unit in the country. At the SEC Spring Meetings, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said that Moss will be at full health heading into fall camp in a couple of months, however. "He'll be 100% for sure for fall camp. I think he's running. He's here now, like he didn't go home for break. He's here continuing to work with our PT department. When you go out there and watch him run, he looks really good right now. And so, we're excited with how that rehab process has gone." As long as Moss' recovery continues to go well, he has the skillset, mindset and experience to become one of the most talented non-quarterbacks in the country this season. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
