Texas A&M football had an overall successful 2018, but things are different now with so many gone to the NFL. Who has the most to prove in 2019?
The Aggies have lost quite a bit to the NFL after the 2018 season, particularly on defense. A senior-laden defense has given way to quite a few guys that are young or just don’t have the experience.
Although many guys are poised for big years, many have quite a bit to prove.
Which five players have the most to prove in 2019? Let’s start with a JUCO transfer, one of the top in the nation, Elijah Blades.
When you aren’t around for spring practice and the rest of the options at your position are, you are automatically at a disadvantage- one that may keep him out of the starting position at least for the first game. That is the case with Elijah Blades, a JUCO corner out of Arizona Western Community College.
There are quite a few options at cornerback for the Aggies, though the three that many would consider leaders were inefficient at best in 2018 in a secondary that ranked 12th out of 14 teams in the SEC a year ago.
Last season, the Aggies’ three-man rotation was Myles Jones, Charles Oliver and Debione Renfro. As previously stated, those three struggled, but have had strong springs as they look to re-solidify those positions. Clifford Chattman is back from injury also
Can a strong fall camp be enough for Blades to move into that starting rotation of cornerbacks? I don’t think it’ll be enough to let him start Week 1, but come Week 2 it just might be. As now one of the more experienced corners on the roster, Blades has quite a bit to prove throughout the season.