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Texas A&M Football: Studs and duds from the 2019 season

By Shelbie Warr

Kellen Mond, Texas A&M football (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M football (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs past Tre Sterling #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys for a 67 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs past Tre Sterling #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys for a 67 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Honorable mention stud: Kellen Mond

I’ll get a lot of heat for this one I’m sure, but man did Kellen Mond show his toughness this season. Did he make the wrong decisions at times? Yes, he did. Is he the best quarterback in the SEC that he claimed to be at the start of the season? No, I think either Tua or Joe Burrow has that pretty well locked up. However, I think that he has the necessary toughness and grit to run a Jimbo Fisher offense.

Will there be a quarterback competition this spring? Possibly, with Zach Calzada and Haynes King vying for that spot. That being said, Mond is a stud in my book for 2019 or at the very least an honorable mention.

Stud: The freshman class

There was a large group of freshmen on this team, a group that had all of four seniors this year. A handful of this class really stepped up to the occasion and did what had to be done. Let’s name just a few.

Very few people gave tight end Jalen Wydermeyer a chance because everyone was so excited about Baylor Cupp coming in to replace Jace Sternberger. However, when Cupp went down with injury, Wydermeyer surprised us all and became the top tight end on the team. Now, getting to add Cupp to that in 2020? Sounds great to Aggie fans everywhere.

Then there is running back Isaiah Spiller. He didn’t expect to be the starter this season, but an injury to Jashaun Corbin who has now transferred to Florida State thrust him into the spotlight and even with an up and down offensive line, this young freshman put up 946 yards on the season, something that should be celebrated given the lack of holes he was given to run threw.

A big freshman pick up was wide receiver Ainias Smith. He was one of the guys that many questioned being included in the 2019 class. However, he ended up being a game changer with three receiving touchdowns. He also lined up as a running back in the Texas Bowl when the team was low at the position. He is what an Aggie is meant to be and fans should be excited to have him around.

The last is freshman safety Demani Richardson, who made some big-time plays throughout the season in a secondary that really needed some help following the 2018 season. He will be a big part of the defense for the next couple of years for sure.