Texas A&M football just lost Christian Kirk to the NFL, but the Aggies have another receiver who could become the best in the SEC.
If you’re Jimbo Fisher, you have to feel good about your wide receiver position, even with the loss of Christian Kirk to the NFL. He finished his career with nearly 3,000 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns but the Aggies No. 3 receiver from last season may be just as good — or better.
Believe it or not, Jhamon Ausbon has the talent and potential to be one of the best receivers in the country in 2018 and possibly the best in the SEC, rivaling AJ Brown of Ole Miss.
Ausbon has a bigger frame, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 220 pounds, making him a physical specimen at wide out. Kirk is about three inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter.
As a freshman, he broke out with 50 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns, and that was without a steady starting quarterback throughout the entire season. Nick Starkel was injured in the opener and Kellen Mond was thrust into the fire as a true freshman. He struggled at times, but came into his own in the middle of the season before hitting a rocky patch again.
The former top-100 recruit had two 100-yard games in his first season but he’s entering his second year as the No. 1 receiver and looks the part.
If he’s able to live to his potential as a sophomore, he’ll be capable of putting up 1,000-plus yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. Having a true starting quarterback will help, too.
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Kirk’s departure is a tough pill to swallow, but Ausbon has all the tools to become A&M’s next great receiver and it wouldn’t be all that shocking to see him lead the SEC in 2018.