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Texas A&M has one of the top 5 RB rooms in the state of Texas

Posted on by angelo
Texas A&M has one of the top 5 RB rooms in the state of Texas

With the 2024 college football season less than three months away, Texas A&M’s team is ready to contend ahead of Mike Elko’s inaugural season. He sports depth and talent at every position group, while the Aggies running back room remains very underrated as much of the outside attention is focused on the return of quarterback Conner Weigman .

This week, Dave Campbell’s Texas football writer Mike Craven continued his Texas-based position rankings this summer, focusing on each Power 5 running backroom in the state. Texas and Texas A&M will likely enter the season as the top-ranked programs in the Lone Star State, bringing back two of the deepest and most versatile RB rooms in the entire country.

The Longhorns will need to rely on a consistent ground game to return to the College Football Playoff for a second straight season. In contrast, Texas A&M is looking to steal one of 12 playoff spots while needing success in the running game to help new offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s system operate to perfection.

So where do the Aggies land among all the Division 1 programs in Texas?

5

Baylor Bear

Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Returning players: Senior Dominic Richardson, Sophomore Dawson Pendergrass, Junior Richard Reese, Redshirt Freshman Bryson Washington

Analysis: This group brings a notable blend of power and speed, collectively averaging 4.2 yards per carry during the 2023 season.

4

Mustang SMU

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Returning players: Jaylan Knighton, senior. Junior LJ Johnson, Junior Camar Wheaton

Analysis: Heading into the ACC, SMU has experience in the backfield that should help the Mustangs adjust to the Power 5 conference schedule that awaits them.

3

Texas Longhorns

Texas Longhorns running back CJ Baxter (4) escapes the Washington defense to carry the ball during the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 1, 2024. The Huskies won the game against the Texas Longhorns 37-31.

Returning players: Sophomore CJ Baxter, Junior Jaydon Blue, Sophomore Tre Wisner

Analysis: Similar to Texas A&M’s backfield, Baxter and Blue provide a 1-2 punch that should have no problem adjusting to the SEC schedule as Texas joins Oklahoma as the conference’s newest program .

2

Texas A&M Aggies

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Back players: Junior Le’Veon Moss, Senior Amari Daniels, sophomore Rueben Owens

Analysis: While some fans will focus on which of the three running backs earns the starting spot, it really doesn’t matter, as Aggies OC Collin Klein plans to use Moss, Daniels and Owens, especially in the passing game.

1

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (28) rushes the football during the 47th Radience Technology Independence Bowl Saturday night, Dec. 16, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Returning players: Senior Tahj Brooks, junior Cam’Ron Valdez, freshman Cameron Dickey

Analysis: The Big 12 (or whatever it’s currently called) is now wide open, with Texas and Oklahoma heading to the SEC, while Texas Tech’s back room is filled with bruising runner Tahj Brooks returning to lead the Red Raiders have a potential Big 12 title in 2024.