Texas A&M Football: 2017 season preview, predictions and more

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COLLEGE STATION, TX – NOVEMBER 12: Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a large gain after catching a pass in the first quarter as Jaylon Jones #31 of the Mississippi Rebels pursues at Kyle Field on November 12, 2016 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Offense

The Aggies are going to have to reload on the fly in 2017. They will have to replace their leading receiver (Josh Reynolds), starting quarterback (Trevor Knight) and two offensive lineman (Jermaine Eluemunor and Avery Gennesy). They do have one thing working in their favor: All-American wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Kirk has already broken the Texas A&M record for career punt return touchdowns with five in his first two seasons. He was also voted first team All-SEC as a receiver in addition to the threat he poses in the return game. Kirk had 83 receptions last year and that number is going to go up in 2017. That’s partly because of the lack of proven options beyond him.

Texas A&M has to replace 136 receptions from last year’s squad. To do that they’ll turn to several new faces including four new recruits from the class of 2017: Jhamon Ausbon, Roshaaud Paul, Camron Buckley and Hezekiah Jones. Ausbon put up an impressive showing at Friday Night Lights and Paul should see some work in the slot.

Must Read: Roshauud Paul could be Texas A&M's secret weapon

The quarterback battle

It might not matter who is catching passes if the Aggies don’t find a quarterback. There are three guys vying for the job of replacing Knight and each comes with their own set of pros and cons.

Jake Hubenak is the veteran. He was the first man off the bench when Knight was injured late last season. Nick Starkel is the arm. A redshirt freshman, Starkel spent last season be groomed for the starting job. He’s got a cannon and seemed to be a bit more mobile in the pocket than Hubenak in the Aggies spring game. Then there’ the wildcard: true freshman Kellen Mond.

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Freshman don’t often start in the SEC. But Mond’s arm and quickness have some people remember another Aggie freshman (albeit a redshirt freshman) that led the Aggies to great things in 2012. It’s going to be a competitive race and there won’t be a resolution before Texas A&M kicks off their season in the Rose Bowl on September 3.