April 18, 2006
The Texas A&M post-spring depth chart features 12 returning offensive or defensive starters, plus another 14 players that have started at least one game in their careers.
The offense leads the way with seven 2005 starters returning to the fold in 2006: offensive linemen Yemi Babalola, Kirk Elder, Cody Wallace and Corey Clark, wide receiver Chad Schroeder, tight end Martellus Bennett and running back Courtney Lewis.
Other members of the 2006 two-deep with starting experience are: wide receivers Howard Morrow, Kerry Franks, Earvin Taylor and Pierre Brown, offensive linemen Chris Yoder and Alex Kotzur, quarterback Stephen McGee, running back Jorvorskie Lane and tight end Joey Thomas.
On the defensive side, five starters from 2005 are on the two-deep including defensive linemen Chris Harrington, Jason Jack and Red Bryant, linebacker Justin Warren and defensive back Melvin Bullitt. Others with starting experience in the two-deep are defensive end Michael Bennett and defensive backs Danny Gorrer, Marquis Carpenter, Devin Gregg and Japhus Brown.
Freshman All-America punter Justin Brantly is a returning starter, and punt returner/holder Chad Schroeder and kickoff returner Courtney Lewis also return to the starting lineup.
A pair of 2006 signees that enrolled early earned a spot on the post-spring depth chart. Junior college transfer Mark Dodge is listed as the starter at linebacker next to All-Big 12 pick Justin Warren. True freshman Cody Beyer earned a spot as a backup wide receiver on the two-deep.
Six redshirt freshmen grabbed spots on the two-deep: Michael Shumard at quick guard, Kevin Matthews at center, Matt Featherston at linebacker, Chevar Bryson at the new "whip" position and Jordan Peterson and Marcus Gold at cornerback.
The Aggies open the 2006 season against The Citadel on Sept. 2 at Kyle Field.