It’s thursday night and you know what that means — it’s mail call time!

Q: How much have you seen from our special teams in practice? I would love to have stability at kicking this year. (Username Has Already Been)

A: We’ve seen some, but nothing earth-shattering. We only saw Asher Murray kick this spring, but David Olano is active for the Maroon & White Game. I’m just as worried about punt protect as anything.

Q: What type of drills or training will Reed use, or has he used, to see the field better? One has to wonder that if he can see the wide open receivers that he missed this year, next year can be be a really good year. Is it even possible to get better in that area or is it kind of a “you got it or you don’t” kind of deal? (GaryClare)

A: He’s been working a lot with new QB coach Joey Lynch, and I’ve seen them do a few new drills that emphasize eluding pressure. I’m sure they do a whole lot more when we’re not around. If Reed takes another step forward as he did from 2024 to 2025, A&M’s going to be really good.

Q: It appears as if we have a plethora of talent at linebacker. What have you seen from Tamarion Watkins? Would he be better suited at safety/nickel? (Nemojones)

A: I didn’t see him a whole lot, but he was practicing with groups that are down the depth chart — which you’d expect. He’s learning a new position and needs to bulk up. But the staff firmly believes that, when he gets bigger, stronger and more confident at the position, he can be very good.

Q: 1) Your thoughts on the new LB Coach (T. Williams?) and if you believe he could be a step up from Bateman?

A: It’s definitely possible. He’s an energetic guy and I liked what I saw from Daymion Sanford, Ray Coney and Noah Mikhail this spring. Sanford, especially, was awesome.

2) Our inability to get first downs in short yardage situations (esp 2024 but at times last season), have you seen any emphasis in practice to improve in that department? If yes, who are the main RBs that will tote the rock on those short yardage plays? (Chile Pequin)

I don’t think they’ve settled on who will be the short yardage back, but I would put my money on Reuben Owens. If it’s not him, then Tiger Riden looks like someone who could handle the job.

Q: What are you looking for in the spring game (besides injury free)? (GasAg90)

A: Really, that’s about it. I may watch the newcomers a little more closely, but I think we have learned that spring games are for entertainment value only.

Q: Basketball: This year I was looking for us to replace Agee (his points and physicality), the point guards and add size. We’ve done a decent job , but still need someone else of size and ball handlers. My problem is that I cannot remember what we have in Mgbako as I saw so little of him and his game. Help me understand that dynamic a bit more please.

A: Mackenzie Mgbako is a 6-foot-9 forward/center (at least on last year’s team) and he has a strong outside game. I still think he’s a little thin to defend in the post, which is why I’d prefer him at the 4 and that they get a bigger guy to play in the middle. But, with the way BuckyBall is arranged, they may have him or new addition Cade Phillips at the 5 so they can keep the fast pace up.

Baseball: Moss seems to be available for relief if needed in a winning situation or starting Sunday in a ‘bullpen game’ is my sense based on what we saw this weekend. Do you agree? Does that very minor change help through flex, light a fire under Moss, or really set us up with a tough road on Sunday in your opinion? (Sleeper95)

I think they could use Moss in relief, but he’s lined up as the Sunday starter right now. How far he goes, I don’t know. But, on the plus side, he hasn’t pitched in a game situation in two weeks. His arm should be lively.

Q: Heard anything negative or positive with place kickers? Deep snapper? Blocking for field goals? (PiedmontAg)

A: Deep snappers have been really good. Then again, they went out and got Shea Freibaum out of the portal for that exact reason. As for blocking, can’t comment on it yet. And, like I said up top, Asher Murray has been the only kicker we’ve seen.

Q: What will it take to achieve another 10+ win season? Do you think we have what it takes?

A: First, they have to stay healthy. Second, the offensive line has to be good and protect Reed. The defense has to be better against the run — there’s no arguing that. And they need consistency from special teams. Can they do it? Yeah, I think they can.

What are you seeing or hearing about Marco Jones? I’m expecting a big year out of him. (Umpocket)

Just that he has looked like an absolute monster and has played like one when we’ve seen him. I’m also expecting him to have a big year.

Q: How does recruiting work with coaches. Are they assigned a territory or specific players? Who or what territory does Robinson have? What coaches are the best recruiters? (JonnyRocketAg)

A: This group seems to have overlap, with regional recruiters and position coaches working on players. Robinson can go anywhere, but his specialty is the Northeast. As for which coaches are the best recruiters…I think they’re all really good. The results kind of show that.

Q: Whats the single most Boneheaded play or thing you have seen in Aggie Athletics? (RetiredAirForce)

A: Probably Kevin Sumlin running off Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray in the span of a week with no fallback option.

Q: How ya doin, buddy? (Travster23)

A: Feeling pretty good about the direction of the site, but frustrated with some of the issues some of our subscribers are having. That’s not Jon’s fault, and someone at WordPress is going to get bitched at. Outside of that, my back is killing me. 

Q: What are your early thoughts on your move to be independent?

A: I’m a big fan of the boss. I have some real frustrations about glitches good people are enduring and I hate having to repeatedly apologize for something we didn’t screw up. But we’re way ahead of where I thought we’d be sub-wise, and would be even better if the guys who signed up for just free content decided to subscribe.

What is Elko’s biggest strength and weakness as a head coach?

Outstanding organizer, planner and builder of culture. If there is a weakness, he may try to get a little too cute with trick plays or going for it on fourth down deep in his own end. But you’ve got to dig pretty deep to get to those gripes.

Marcel Reed looks like he put on good weight- do you agree?

I don’t know if he’s put on any, honestly.

Who is the first Aggie drafted and in what spot? Second? (Cheeky Schneider)

I think KC will be the first off the board, anywhere between 20 and 27. Then Cashius Howell and Chase Bisontis could go in quick succession. A&M could have three first rounders or, in an extreme circumstance, none.

Q: How much are basketball budgets up from a year ago – the overall sport? How much more is ours?

A: I know they’re up significantly. Kentucky, Florida and Arkansas set the pace and everyone else keeps up with them. I don’t know how much more A&M’s is this year, but the addition of PJ Haggerty is a clear sign they’re not shopping in the clearance section.

Who is paying it? (QuickDrawMcGraw77)

Donors to the university NIL funds. I don’t know (or want to know) names.

Q: Do you think Reed Arena needs replacing, major updating, or just some minor improvements? (H273)

A: I would love to replace it, but I don’t think that’s happening so major upgrades and renovations would be good. After all, that building is now 30 years old and its design isn’t necessarily basketball friendly.

Q: Did you reach out to Ketchum at any point in time to get advice on becoming independent from Rivals/On3?

Serious question. (TheThreadEnder)

A: No, I didn’t. But if I had been smart, I probably should have. We’re in two different situations, with him moving an existing site and me starting one, but maybe I could have learned from their issues.

Q: What are you hoping to see in the spring game? Any particular players or positions you will be focused on? (Abell)

A: The new additions from the portal and the freshmen receivers. Those are the guys I really want to watch. I wouldn’t mind seeing something from Brandon Arrington, too.

Q: Did PJ Haggerty commit or am I dreaming that? (SubmarineAg)

A: No, he committed and signed.

Q: Who are the top 5 qb’s in sec?

A: Arch Manning, Trinidad Chambliss, Marcel Reed, Sam Leavitt and Byrum Brown.

Do we have enough depth to finally absorb a few injuries?

I think so.

Not counting the OL which position is your biggest concern and which is the least?

Probably running back as the biggest concern and receiver for the least.

Why do fans put so much validity in a spring game? And was your spring game superstar that never shined on Saturday’s?

I have no idea why anybody would put any validity into a split-squad scrimmage. And it seems like every spring, there’s a walk-on who has a huge game and then we never see him again.

Was there a bigger surprise than Johnny from spring game failure to stardom just six months later?

No. That was wild.

Which walkon could end up with real playing time other than special teams?

I honestly cannot think of one.

Which te is going to step up and become a major player? (LufkinAg)

Houston Thomas I think is the one to watch. 

Q: Are we in on any of the other top bb transfers? (Doom Buggy)

A: It is really hard to tell who teams are in on unless they leak it. College basketball’s transfer portal is very different from football, where guys blab about where they’d going and who they’re talking to all the time. But, considering the money they’ve already spent, they’re probably after the guys who sit at the top of their list as far as positional fits go.

Q: Have we turned the corner on our pitching woes, or at least found a way to mitigate the damage from them?

A: Maybe. I think we’re going to see a lot more of Clayton Freshcorn, kind of like we saw with Evan Aschenbeck getting multiple innings at a time in 2024. Then they’ve got Ethan Darden and Juan Vargas out of the bullpen and Gavin Lyons as the long man. Grant Cunningham has pitched really well over the last month, so he’s now in the mix. But I don’t think it was coincidental that we saw some guys who hadn’t thrown a pitch all season get into the game against Houston. That screamed tryout to me.

Who is that point guard we are getting in the portal? (Longneck)

I don’t know, but it had better be two of them. 

Q: Why didn’t Arighetti not make the Astros starting roster? He is on a mission to show they done messed up. (CheekySchneider)

A: At the time, they thought they had something with Brown, Burrows, McCullers, Javier and Imai. Now that three of the five are shut down, Arrighetti gets his shot. And he did very well last night, for sure.

Q: Whats your assessment of QB recruiting since Sumlin? Seems like we can get 5 stars at other positions but not at QB? Or, it QB ranking just not as dialed in as other positions and our coaches believe they are landing 5 star talent?

A: I’m not sure I agree with the premise here. Sumlin got two 5-stars in Allen and Murray and ran them off. Kellen Mond was a high 4-star and he paid off eventually, and Haynes King was a 5 who ended up as a 4. James Foster and Zach Calzada were lower-rated and didn’t pan out (except for one game), but Conner Weigman was a composite 5-star. Brady Hart, had he stayed in the class of 2027, might have been the number one player. He was the top quarterback and a 5-star before reclassifying to 2026.

How critical do think QB play is for a National Champion in CFB? Honestly, I didnt watch Mendoza at all last year, but he seemed to be the catlyst for them. Can Reed be that for the Aggies this year? What about our other QBs? How would rate their talent? (Agbq89inva)

A: Good quarterback play is absolutely vital. They don’t necessarily have to be great pro quarterbacks, but if you look at the teams that have been CFP finalists recently, all had veteran quarterbacks who were really good.

Q: 5 series left in SEC baseball play. How do you see each series going and what is your projected top 5 SEC tournament seeds? (JPhillips97)

A: LSU — going quickly in the wrong direction, a la A&M last year. They’ve lost five of their last six, including a loss to Bethune-Cookman (who also beat Florida) and a sweep at the hands of Ole Miss. They’re tough at the Box, but the Aggies are coming in having not scored less than eight runs in a game since March 24. They’ve won five of their last six, to boot, so momentum would appear to be with A&M.

Florida — This one will be tough. They were swept by Alabama, then swept Arkansas in Fayetteville, then lost a series to Ole Miss at home, then took two of three from Georgia in Athens. And then got blitzed by Bethune-Cookman 13-7. They’ve been up and down, but with this series in Gainesville, it will be a grind.

Auburn — Another team that’s tough to figure out. They’ve won series against Kentucky and Arkansas in recent weeks, but had a four-game slide where they were swept by Alabama and got destroyed by Georgia Tech 13-3. This series is at Blue Bell, so I’ll give the advantage to the Aggies — but this one will probably be a slugfest.

Ole Miss — the Rebels lost two of three in Austin, took two of three at home against Kentucky, but got swept by Mississippi State before rebounding and beating Florida two out of three and sweeping LSU last weekend. They’re only 8-7 in conference but have won five of six. But they’re a month out. Still, it’ll be a tough one.

Mississippi State — Started off hot, sweeping Vandy and Ole Miss after losing two of three against Arkansas, but have lost six straight conference games to Georgia and Tennessee. We’ll see if they can pull out of their rut.

I think the Aggies can win the LSU series, the Auburn series and the Mississippi State series. Right now, I’d say Georgia, A&M, Texas, Florida and Ole Miss are probably going to be the top five. But it’s just a guess.

Q: Who are your breakout freshman performers?

A: I don’t think we’re going to see very many of them, but I’ll go with Aaron Gregory on offense and Bryce Perry-Wright on defense.

Will Ray Coney start? If so, will he get > 100 tackles? (CypressAggie)

I do think he’ll start and I don’t think he’ll get 100 tackles. One of the reasons he had so many tackles is Tulsa’s defense was on the field a lot. I don’t think A&M’s will be out there nearly as much.

Q: We briefly discussed what it woul take for the baseball team to get an 8 seed. We agreed that 18 SEC wins should probably do it. However, with the remaining schedule, it’s going to be tight. If we did get the other 9 wins, where do you think they could possibly come from? (Barsvn7)

A: If they take two of three in those series, that’s six. If they win one of three at Ole Miss and Florida, that’s eight. So they’d have to get a sweep somewhere or win a series I don’t have them taking.

Q: Top 5 celebrity hall passes? Doesn’t have to be today just in her prime. (AggieInDC)

A: Wow, tough one. But I’ll go with Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Kate Beckinsale, Amy Adams and Elizabeth Olsen.

Q: Pleasant surprise and disappointment of spring practice. Not a request for names…I know you don’t do that. Just wondering in general.

A: Good surprise: the freshman wideouts. I don’t really have a disappointment. 

Have you noticed any operational differences in spring practice? Maybe different approaches by coaches vs the fall or last spring?

I think I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, but I was impressed with how smoothly things ran. For a team with 40-some new players, it seemed like everyone was already familiar with what they were supposed to be doing and how to do it..

What are you doing with all the new found message board owner glory? When is the IPO?

Hopefully keep the lights on. As far as an IPO — heck, I’ll just take any support folks want to give now. There are certainly a few things I’d like to add.

Any teams you are expecting to take a tumble this fall vs last year? SEC or national. (ObieAg)

Tennessee and Miami come to mind.

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