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Texas A&M Football: Top 3 breakout candidates for spring 2022

By Connor Muldowney

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 28: A Texas A&M Aggies helmet during the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 28: A Texas A&M Aggies helmet during the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Nov 20, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back LJ Johnson Jr. (34) runs the ball as Prairie View Am Panthers safety Drake Cheatum (22) and linebacker Tre’Shaud Smith (6) defend during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back LJ Johnson Jr. (34) runs the ball as Prairie View Am Panthers safety Drake Cheatum (22) and linebacker Tre’Shaud Smith (6) defend during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /

Isaiah Spiller is off to the NFL now and that leaves a huge vacancy in the backfield which will likely be filled by Devon Achane. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season while splitting carries with Spiller and will undoubtedly be the starter in 2022.

But that backup role that Achane had will also need to be filled. Can the Aggies find someone to replace all that production from the RB2 spot?

LJ Johnson was one of the top running backs in the entire 2021 class and he carried the ball 21 times as a true freshman for the Aggies, totaling just 76 yards. He’s going to see an increased role this upcoming season and I think he has the potential to be a star running back like the guys who came before him, and his breakout starts this spring.

We’ll see if Johnson is ready to step up and earn a bulk of carries behind Achane this spring and I believe he’ll do that.

Amari Daniels is another name to watch, but Johnson is my pick to be the breakout backup.