Early Texas A&M football Intel for their matchup against Notre Dame in game one

The Notre Dame versus Texas A&M matchup is just a couple weeks away. With so much expectations and optimism around the football program, there is a lot to be excited about. The Aggies are a team that is a bit unfamiliar to the Irish fans.

Over the last couple of days, I’ve spent time talking to every source around the Aggie program I can, as well as some supporters and media members. Here is some early intel for how Texas A&M is looking this offseason, and what you can expect for the first game.

• People around the program are excited for what quarterback Conner Weigman could accomplish this season. There’s even one person I spoke to that believes that he could very well be the best quarterback in the country this season. It will all be dependent on health, but Weigman is healthy right now, and the expectations are very high.

• It appears the wide receiver position is a giant question mark right now for the team. Even with the injury to Reuben Owens, the staff seems high on the running back room. The expectation is for Le’Veon Moss to be the main guy, but there will be a rotation. There seems to be a good floor for the room, although there is a question for just how high the ceiling is.

• The offensive line seems to be solidifying itself, at least in four spots. There is one big battle to be settled, but this appears to be the starting group more than likely on August 31st:

LT: Trey Zuhn, LG: Chase Bisontis, C : Koli Faaiu or Kam Dewberry, RG: Armaj Reed- Adams, RT : Deuce Fatheree

• Zuhn is viewed as solid, so is Fatheree if healthy but that is the major question mark. Fatheree once looked like he was going to be a top draft pick but he hasn’t been consistently available, and hasn’t taken the jump they were hoping for. Bisontis is the stud up front for the Aggies. They think he could be one of the best in college football this year. He has reportedly been awesome this offseason. Even with Bisontis, this is a unit that has a lot of question marks surrounding it.

• One breakout star to keep an eye on is tight end Donovan Green. He is coming off of an ACL tear suffered last August but is almost up to full speed. The Aggies also pulled in former Fresno State standout Tre Watson from the portal this offseason. There’s an expectation that the A&M could play a lot of 12 (one running back, two tight ends) personnel this season.

• The part of the team that might have folks around that program most excited (outside of a full season of Weigman) is the pass rush, and defensive line in general. After playing a lot of edge during his career, Shemar Turner is expected to play inside almost exclusively this season. The program is also really excited about former Purdue pass rusher Nic Scourton, who could be one of the most dynamic defensive players in college football. One player who is getting the most preseason buzz is defensive end Shemar Stewart, who looks like he’s taking a big jump. While they are going to use him at defensive end, he also brings the versatility to rush on the inside in obvious pass rush situations at 6-6 and 285 pounds. When he does, keep an eye out for Bowling Green transfer Cashius Howell to get some rush opportunities.

• After a great freshman year, linebacker Taurean York looks like he has taken his game to an even higher level. He is the “green dot” of the defense and has been complimented for his communication skills. I even spoke to a supporter of the program who said that York has received a comparison to former Aggie star Dat Nguyen, which is quite a compliment.

• One interesting player to watch is former Pitt transfer Solomon DeShields. He’s a bit of a positionless player at 6-0 and 205 pounds, but he has a chance to start at WILL linebacker. He is a very small player for that position. It sounds like the Aggies are betting on his explosiveness in an attack style role.

• The secondary has some talent to work with, but this might be the team’s biggest question mark right now. The expectation is one of the starting cornerbacks will be Tyreek Chappell, who has played a lot of football. He’s had some durability issues but he’s smart and dependable when healthy. There is an expectation that there will be a heavy rotation at the other cornerback spot.