COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M football team drilled for two hours in shorts and shells as the Aggies continued their fall camp preparations for the 2011 season.
Fourth-year head coach Mike Sherman thought the Aggies started slow on Friday, but rallied in the second half of the practice.
“You always want (practice) to be a little crisper and sharper,” Sherman said. “I thought we were a little sluggish in the first half of practice today. We had the morning meetings and then went (to the Coolidge Grass Practice Fields). It was pretty warm this morning so I think they were thinking a little bit about that. I talked to them at the half and they certainly picked it up after that. You can't have too many of those, but they're understandable and as long as they respond when you tell them 'we have to pick this up' then I think you have a bunch of guys that will listen, which is a good thing.”
After practice, Sherman attended commencement ceremonies at Reed Arena where seven current or former Aggie football players were receiving their diplomas, including Sherman's son, Matt, who is a tight end for the Aggies. In addition to Matt Sherman, the Aggies receiving diplomas were Danny Baker, Lionel Smith and Garrick Williams from the current roster, and former players Michael Ebbitt, Corey Gibas and Jamie McCoy.
The Aggies, who were ranked No. 9 in the USA Today Top 25 coaches preseason ranking, were ranked No. 8 in the ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com's Preseason College Football “Power Rankings,” which were released on Friday. ESPN's power rankings come from voting among ESPN The Magazine's and ESPN.com's panel of college football analysts, columnists and reporters.
ESPN Radio analyst Ryen Russillo said of the Aggies: “The Aggies were a different team last season once converted WR Ryan Tannehill took over at QB, winning six straight including a win over Oklahoma. They return the most starters in the Big 12, including their top two RBs and WRs. The team is actually losing only nine receptions from its receiving corps from last year. Matt Allen, last year's starting center, is the only change on offense. The defense lost leading tackler Michael Hodges and Von Miller but all three units -- DL, LB and DB -- stack up well against the rest of the Big 12. The Aggies' expectations are as high as they have ever been under coach Mike Sherman, but anything less than a Cotton Bowl win will be a huge disappointment.”
Sherman was asked about the healthy return of junior safety Steven Campbell, who missed four games last fall due to a foot injury and missed spring drills after surgery.
“The fact that he played in the bowl game is really unbelievable since surgery was on the table before that game,” Sherman said. “He has had to fight through some things, but it's great having him out there. He's a very unique player. I don't think people recognize how unique he is because he hasn't been out there enough for people to appreciate what he can do. He's a tremendously talented young man.”
Finding out who will be quarterback Ryan Tannehill's backup was on the assembled media members' minds on Friday, and Sherman was asked if he could evaluate the backup QB positional battle.
“I could, but we're going to wait a little bit longer on the evaluation on (the backup quarterbacks),” Sherman said. “There's no sense in putting it out there. Both kids (redshirt freshmen Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel) are competing and working hard. We'll make a good decision in due time but it's too early to do that right now. They're both doing some good things. We'll have a guy that can back up Ryan Tannehill.”
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
- PRACTICES TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
- Practices inside the McFerrin Indoor facility are closed to the public due to fire codes.
- Practices are open to players' families, lettermen, current students, former students, faculty and staff with TAMU ID and 12th Man Foundation members.
- No cameras, cell phones or note pads allowed.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, Aug. 13
8:25 –10:45 am - Practice #5
SUNDAY, Aug. 14
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #6
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #7 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
MONDAY, Aug. 15
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #8 (Probably Kyle Field)
TUESDAY, Aug. 16
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #9
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #10 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #11
THURSDAY, Aug. 18
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #12
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #13 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
FRIDAY, Aug. 19
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #14
SATURDAY, Aug. 20
6:35 – 8:30 pm - Practice #15 (Kyle Field)
SUNDAY, Aug. 21
Possible day off from practices.
MONDAY, Aug. 22
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #16
TUESDAY, Aug. 23
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #17
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #18 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24
4:05 pm - Practice #19—NO MEDIA ALLOWED
“Countdown to Kickoff Dinner”
THURSDAY, Aug. 25
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #20
FRIDAY, Aug. 26
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #21