Fall Camp Preview: Offensive Line
Will Johnson, 12th Man Productions
Perhaps Texas A&M’s youth movement last season was felt on the offensive line more so than any other position.
In 2022, six true or redshirt freshman played and four started at least one game. But the baptism by fire may have forged a solid group for 2023.
“It all starts up front, and I think we have a chance to have a really good offensive line,” Jimbo Fisher said.
During spring ball, some offensive linemen sat out to heal up their ailments. That meant young guys got valuable reps, and they made the most of them. Fisher was thrilled with the response of those that got their chance.
“The emergence of Mark Nabou Jr. and Remington Strickland inside doing a great job, man I was really happy with those guys.”
On the outside, a true freshman has made his presence felt and could run with the ones on opening night.
“Chase Bisontis comes in there as a young guy and has really jumped on things,” Fisher said. “I think he’s going to be a tremendous, tremendous player.”
Regardless of who the starting five is, there’s plenty that can contribute.
“We’ll have three deep all the way across the board,” Fisher stated.
But it’s not just youth this time around. The experience is now noticeable.
At guard, Layden Robinson has started 22 games the last two seasons. Kam Dewberry is back after starting five games as a true freshman in 2022.
At tackle, Bisontis is working with Reuben Fatheree II and Trey Zuhn III. Fatheree has 21 career starts and Zuhn notched 11 last year.
Then, in the middle of it all, Bryce Foster returns at center. He started all 12 games in his freshman season, then started the first four last year before an injury cost him the rest of the campaign.
The list thus far doesn’t even mention Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, Aki Ogunbiyi or Dametrius Crownover, who all have multiple years in the program now.
Everyone’s heard the statement ‘iron sharpens iron’, and this offensive line hones it’s skills against an incredibly stout Aggie defensive line. They’ll be fine on Saturdays because of what they go against every day.
It’s more than competition though. The offensive line is looking to set an example of what it means to be a great teammate.
“The O-Line and D-Line, we’re cheering each other on during workouts too,” Robinson explained. “It’s good to go against each other and have that competitive nature, but to show that love for each other at the end of the day.”
Fisher has said he likes the dynamic of this team. That’s proven with the offensive line’s attitude towards the ones they butt heads with consistently.
“Just to show we still care about y’all even though we’ve got to go against y’all,” Robinson said. “It’s business, and we’re trying to make each other better. But we still have that love for each other where we can push each other every single day. It’s a great thing to be around.”
And that mantra will permeate to those that surround the offensive and defensive lines. Through camp it’ll bring the same attitude to the skill positions and the back end of the defense. The Aggies will be better off for it.
Fisher is right. It all starts up front.
With the way this offensive line is shaping up, it appears there’s no better place to start.
