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Texas A&M Football: 5 biggest stories entering 2018 season

By Shelbie Warr

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 14: Camron Buckley #14 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates following a victory over the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 14: Camron Buckley #14 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates following a victory over the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3. How the redshirt rule changes the game for 2018

Despite a coaching change in the middle of recruiting crunch time, Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies managed to bring in a pretty hefty recruiting class for 2018. The question now stands as to how many will see the field for the 2018 season and how the new redshirt rule changes the game.

There are a few incoming freshman that will very likely redshirt for the upcoming season. For example, quarterback James Foster is sure to spend his first year on campus on the sidelines. Sitting behind Nick Starkel, Kellen Mond and Connor Blumrick is quite a bit to overcome.

However, will any of the players be used strategically for the season while still being able to take a redshirt season? The new rule allows players to play four games and still take a redshirt season.

It would make sense, to me, or some of the freshman defenders to be used later in the season as depth, especially in the defensive end position. The 2018 class includes four defensive ends, each of which could make a run at a starting position or could be used within the new redshirt rule.

Keep an eye out into fall ball and as the season begins to see how Jimbo Fisher and company use the new rule set to their advantage.